Dermal piercings wildly popular—and for good reason. They look sleek and they can go almost anywhere. But if you’re wondering how do dermal piercings work, you’re in the right place. Read on to have all your dermal piercing questions answered!
How Dermal Piercings Work
Dermal piercings—also known as microdermal piercings or micro dermal piercings—are small, single-point piercings anchored just below the skin surface. Your piercer will typically use a tiny dermal punch to remove a small circle of skin (yep, it sounds scarier than it is), then insert a little metal base called a dermal anchor. This anchor often has a “foot” with holes so your skin can grow through it and lock it in place as it heals. There are two main types of dermal anchors:
- Footed dermal anchors: The classic style with interchangeable tops.
- Skin anchors (aka skin divers): Smaller, one-piece versions with the decorative top already attached.
Once healed, you can switch out the tops to suit your mood and style.
Where Dermal Piercings Can Be Placed
Short answer: almost anywhere you’ve got a little cushion to your skin. Popular spots include:
- Face: Below the eye, temple, cheek, or even a “third eye” position on the forehead.
- Back: From the lower back, up to the shoulders and neck.
- Hips: Angled over the pelvis for a bold, eye-catching look.
And if you’re feeling adventurous? People have gotten dermals on their fingers, toes, wrists, ankles, forearms, chest… basically, if there’s enough tissue, there’s a good chance a skilled piercer can work with it.
Dermal Piercing Jewelry Options
When you first get your microdermal piercing, your piercer will pop in a small titanium or surgical steel anchor under your skin. If it’s an all-in-one skin anchor, the decorative top is permanently attached—no mix-and-match yet. But if it’s a two-piece dermal anchor, it’ll be capped with a low-profile dermal top while you heal.
That starter top is usually pretty flat—maybe jeweled, maybe a little decorative (think tiny sparkle or even a mini flathead screw design). The point is: it’s not the time to go big and bold. A flat top is your piercing’s security guard, reducing the risk of it snagging on clothes, hair, or random objects, and saving you from the worst-case scenario—having it yanked out before it’s even settled in.
Once you’re fully healed, meaning your skin has grown snugly around the anchor and it’s secure, you can upgrade. At that point, you can swap in nearly any compatible (typically 12g or 14g) internally-threaded top your heart desires. For jewels, unique shapes, spikes, or whatever matches your vibe, check out are full collection of dermal jewelry.
How Much Is a Dermal Piercing?
Prices vary depending on location, jewelry choice, and your piercer’s experience, but most dermal piercings fall in the $70–$100 range per piece (not including fancy jewelry upgrades).
Remember: you’re paying for skill, sterility, and someone who knows exactly how to place your dermal piercing so it lasts.
Dermal Piercing Aftercare
Now for the not-so-glamorous part: aftercare. Because dermal piercings are technically surface piercings, they’re more prone to rejection than standard piercings. That means aftercare isn’t just “a good idea,” it’s mandatory. Here are the basics:
- 💦Clean daily with a saline solution or piercing aftercare spray, like Recovery Sterile Saline Spray. This helps remove any dirt, debris, or any dried lymph (street name “crusties”) hanging around your piercing.
- 🚫Avoid touching it unless you’ve just washed your hands or wearing gloves. While physically removing the crusties around your piercing is super tempting, its best to leave them be.
- 👕Wear loose, breathable clothing over it to avoid snagging or irritation. If you have to cover it, use a small, round bandage. A piercing is a wound, and wounds need as much fresh air as possible to heal properly.
- ⏲️Give it time—dermal piercings can take 6 weeks to 3 months to fully heal. Don’t try to change your dermal top until your piercing is fully healed and do your best to keep your health up in general. Eat well, get lots of sleep, avoid alcohol and nicotine (which slows down the body’s ability to heal), and maintain good hygiene.
💡Pro Tip: Try adding a couple drops of Recovery Tea Tree Oil to your solution to enhance your piercing aftercare regime. Tea tree oil has natural antiseptic and moisturizing properties that help your dermal piercing heal better.
And, as always, listen to your professional piercer’s instructions for optimal healing.
Ready to Get Pierced?
If you’ve been eyeing dermal piercings and asking yourself how do dermal piercings work, now you’ve got the lowdown—from the process to the placement to the aftercare. They’re versatile and totally customizable, but they do need some TLC (as with any piercing). Treat your dermal well, and it’ll shine for years to come.
To learn more about dermal piercings, check out our Dermal Piercing & Surface Piercing FAQs
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