Thinking about getting a new piercing? Youโve come to the right place. This is your definitive guide for 2026, packed with everything you need to know about the different types of body piercings. Weโve put together a detailed chart and expert advice to help you explore all your optionsโfrom the most popular ear piercings to more unique facial and body placements.
Weโll cover everything from pain levels and healing times to proper aftercare.
Your Guide to Every Type of Body Piercing
The first step toward a piercing you'll love for years to come is making an informed choice. Our goal is to give you all the professional knowledge you need, so you can pick a piercing that perfectly suits your body, lifestyle, and personal style.
Itโs no secret that body piercing has become a massive part of modern self-expression. The industry has grown significantly, with the global body piercing service market projected to hit a valuation of $14.04 billion by 2025. This isn't just a trend; it's a legitimate form of personal style thatโs here to stay. You can check out the full report on body piercing service market trends for more details.
Use this guide to explore all your options with confidence before you visit us at our Bournemouth studio.
The Complete Body Piercing Chart: A Visual Reference
Getting the piercing youโve been dreaming of starts with one simple thing: knowing exactly what to call it. Itโs easy to get lost in a sea of names, but clear communication with your piercer is the first step to getting a result youโll love for years to come.
Thatโs where our comprehensive visual guide comes in. Weโve mapped out all the key piercing locations across the ear, face, and body on a series of clean, easy-to-read diagrams. Each spot is precisely labelled with its industry-standard name.
Think of this as your personal roadmap. Youโll be able to instantly identify and learn the correct terms for everything from a helix, tragus, and daith to a nostril, septum, medusa, navel, or nipple piercing. Itโs designed to cut through the confusion and give you the confidence to plan your next piece, whether itโs a single statement piercing or a full curated ear project.
A Detailed Guide to All Ear Piercings
From a simple, classic lobe piercing to an intricate, curated ear project, the world of ear piercing is vast and exciting. Whether you're considering your very first piercing or planning to add to your collection, this guide breaks down every location shown on our chart, from the ever-popular Lobe and Helix to more unique placements like the Rook, Conch, and Industrial.
To help you get your bearings, the chart below maps out the key piercing locations across the body, so you can easily pinpoint exactly what you're looking for.
We've seen a massive surge in ear projects here in the UK, with clients treating piercings as essential accessories. Remember the summer of 2025? The Tragus piercing was everywhere, thanks to trendsetters like Rihanna. Our piercers love helping you design a totally unique curated ear that tells your story.
For a deep dive into every option available, from healing times to jewellery styles, check out our complete guide to ear piercings.
Exploring Facial and Body Piercings
Moving on from the ears, facial and body piercings are where you can really start making a statement. Popular choices like the Nostril and Septum can be anything from a subtle stud to a bold, eye-catching ring, while lip piercings like the Labret or Medusa are perfect for drawing attention to your smile. The key with all of these is getting the placement and initial jewellery just right to guarantee a smooth, successful healing journey.
Body piercings such as the Navel and Nipple are just as popular, but they come with their own set of rules. For instance, a great navel piercing is all about your anatomy โ you need a well-defined โlipโ of tissue to properly support the jewellery. Oral piercings, on the other hand, require some serious dedication to aftercare to keep swelling down and ensure everything stays perfectly clean.
Studio Note: For those wanting something a little different, specialised placements like Surface Piercings and Dermal Anchors are brilliant options. Because they sit just under the surface of the skin, they absolutely must be done by an experienced piercer and need very precise aftercare, as theyโre more prone to rejection than standard piercings.
Choosing the Right Jewellery Materials and Sizes
When it comes to a new piercing, the jewellery you start with isnโt just a suggestionโitโs a critical part of the healing process. Here at the studio, we don't mess around with second-best. We exclusively use implant-grade, internally threaded titanium, and for good reason. Itโs the undisputed gold standard for initial piercings.
Forget about surgical steel. Titanium is miles ahead, drastically cutting down the risk of skin irritation and allergic reactions. It's about giving your body the best possible chance to heal cleanly and without complications. That's the Timebomb way.
Piercing Gauges and Jewellery Types
Beyond the material, the size of your initial jewellery is just as important. Your piercer will choose a specific gauge (the thickness of the bar) and length to perfectly accommodate the initial swelling thatโs a normal part of healing. Choosing something too tight can cause serious problems, which is why a professionalโs input is vital. Weโre seeing more and more clients whoโve done their homework, demanding certified piercers and top-tier materials as a basic standard. Itโs a great shift for the industry, and you can learn more about this and other piercing trends for 2025.
To give you a better idea of what to expect, hereโs a quick rundown of common initial sizes for popular piercings.
Common Piercing Gauges and Initial Jewellery
| Piercing Location | Common Initial Gauge (g) | Common Initial Jewellery |
|---|---|---|
| Earlobe | 20g - 16g | Labret Stud, Barbell, Ring |
| Helix / Cartilage | 16g | Labret Stud, Barbell |
| Tragus / Daith | 16g | Labret Stud, Barbell, BCR/Ring |
| Nostril | 18g - 16g | Labret Stud, Nostril Screw |
| Septum | 16g - 14g | Circular Barbell, BCR/Ring |
| Tongue | 14g | Straight Barbell |
| Navel (Belly Button) | 14g | Curved Barbell (Banana Bell) |
| Nipple | 14g - 12g | Straight Barbell |
Keep in mind, these are just typical starting points. Your piercer will make the final call based on your unique anatomy to ensure a perfect fit.
Once your piercing is fully healed and settled, the fun really begins. That's when you can downsize the post for a snugger fit and explore different styles. We've got a stunning selection of upgrade options ready for you in our Paradox Body Jewellery collection.
Your Guide to Piercing Aftercare and Healing
Once you leave the studio, the piercing is your responsibility, and proper aftercare is the single most important factor in how it heals. Following our professional advice is the best way to ensure your piercing heals smoothly, avoids infection, and looks incredible for years to come.
Our approach is straightforward and proven: clean the area only with a sterile saline solution. One of the biggest mistakes people make is over-handling their new piercing. Never touch, twist, or rotate the jewellery. This can introduce bacteria directly into the wound and seriously irritate the delicate healing tissue.
Itโs also crucial to keep harsh chemicals away from your new piercing. This means no alcohol, peroxide, or antiseptic creams, as they can destroy new skin cells and actually slow down the healing process. You should also stay out of swimming pools, hot tubs, lakes, and the sea until itโs fully healed.
For a more detailed breakdown, be sure to check out our complete guide on https://timebombbournemouth.com/how-to-clean-new-piercings/.
Frequently Asked Questions About Body Piercings
Getting a new piercing is exciting, but itโs completely normal to have a few questions before you take the plunge. We get it. Whether youโre trying to decide between a helix and a daith or just want to know what to expect, a little expert advice goes a long way.
Here, our piercers have answered some of the most common questions we hear in the studio. Weโve kept the answers straightforward and honest, giving you the confidence to move forward with your piercing journey, from browsing our charts to booking your appointment.
Book Your Professional Piercing in Bournemouth
Feeling inspired after looking through our piercing guide? The next step is turning that idea into a reality, and thatโs where we come in. At Timebomb Tattoo & Piercing, we're not just about aesthetics; we're obsessed with safety, precision, and giving you an experience that's as flawless as your new jewellery.
We exclusively use implant-grade titanium and follow hospital-grade sterilisation protocols because your health is non-negotiable. Itโs this commitment that has made us Bournemouthโs premier 5-star rated studio. Our expert piercers are here to chat through your ideas, help you choose the perfect placement, and show you our extensive collection of high-quality jewellery in our clean, welcoming studio.
Ready to get started? It's easy to book your free consultation or piercing appointment with the team at Timebomb Tattoo & Piercing.
- Book Online for our quickest and easiest option.
- Call Us: 01202 9000 50
- Message on WhatsApp: +447752 913 846
- Visit Our Studio: 109 Old Christchurch Road, Bournemouth, BH1 1EP
