Dermal Anchor And Barbell: Can They Be Combined?

Dermal piercings and surface piercings are two different things. While both types of piercings are done on flat parts of the body, they use different types of jewellery. Dermal piercings use a dermal punch or a large gauge needle to create a bore, into which a dermal anchor is inserted and locked in place as the piercing heals. This stable anchor allows for the placement of dermal piercings in areas of the body that experience significant movement. Surface piercings, on the other hand, use straight barbells with a flat design to minimise strain on the skin.

Dermal anchors vs. surface piercings

Dermal anchors and surface piercings are two different types of piercings that are commonly confused with each other due to their similar appearance and placement on the body. However, there are several key differences between the two.

Surface piercings are done on flat areas of the skin, such as the cheekbone or nape of the neck, and involve a single barbell that is placed underneath the skin, connecting two piercing points. This results in a double-pierced look, with an entry and exit point. Surface piercings are relatively straightforward to perform and can be done by oneself, although this is not advisable. Straight barbells are typically used for surface piercings as they minimise the strain on the skin surface. However, surface piercings have a higher chance of rejection and may result in scarring. They are also more likely to get caught on clothing and become dislodged.

On the other hand, dermal anchors are single-point piercings, meaning there is only one entry point and no exit point. A dermal anchor is inserted beneath the dermal layer of tissue, leaving the dermal top to sit on top of the skin. This type of piercing is more complex and requires a skilled body artist. A bore is created using a dermal punch or a large gauge needle, and then the dermal anchor is inserted using dermal forceps. Dermal piercings can be placed almost anywhere on the body, except for areas with less skin and subcutaneous tissue, such as fingers, wrists, and toes. They are also less likely to be rejected by the body compared to surface piercings and cause less pain over time due to reduced stress and strain on the surrounding tissue. Additionally, dermal piercings offer more flexibility in terms of jewellery options, as the detachable dermal tops allow for a wide array of styles. However, dermal piercings are typically more expensive than surface piercings due to the increased skill and expertise required.

Both dermal anchors and surface piercings require similar aftercare, which includes routine disinfection with a sea salt solution and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. It is important to keep the pierced area clean and avoid touching it with dirty hands to prevent infection.

Interchangeable body jewellery styles

Dermal piercings provide the flexibility to choose from and easily interchange a wide array of different body jewellery styles. Dermal piercings are composed of two pieces: a threaded end top (the visible part of the jewellery) and the base (the part under the skin). The tops can come in a wide variety of materials, from steel and titanium to yellow, white, and rose gold.

One type of interchangeable body jewellery style is the press-fit post, commonly referred to as threadless or push-pin posts. Press-fit jewellery consists of two pieces: a post with an attached ball or disk and a ball or ornamental end that "press-fits" into the post. These posts are easy to remove, as the two ends simply pull apart, and can also be adjusted for tightness. Instead of buying entirely new jewellery, you can change your look by purchasing a new gem end.

Another type of interchangeable body jewellery style is the threaded jewellery. Unlike press-fit posts, threaded jewellery has one or both ends that unscrew for removal. You will find threaded jewellery most often in nipple, navel, vertical hood, and other vulva and penis piercings. There are two types of threading: internally threaded jewellery and externally threaded jewellery. Internally threaded jewellery is where the ball has a threaded post that screws into a hollow-end barbell. With this type, the part that passes through your skin is smooth and doesn't scrape or injure the tissue. Externally threaded jewellery has screw threading cut into the outside of the bar, with a hollowed-end ball that threads onto it, resulting in a relatively rough surface passing through the tissue.

Captive bead rings, also known as CBRs or "captives", are another interchangeable body jewellery style. The bead is held in place by the tension of the ring, and neither end is attached to the bead. This means that you have the option of changing just the bead. In some cases, you can do this yourself, but in other instances, tools may be needed to open or close the captive bead rings, especially for thicker or smaller diameter rings.

Finally, there are segment rings, which are similar to captive bead rings but instead of a bead popping out, a segment of the ring itself unsnaps. These are popular in septum piercings as they are more practical than a seam ring if the jewellery must be removed frequently.

Dermal piercing aftercare

Dermal piercings are single-point piercings that lie flat against the skin's surface. The piercing process involves inserting a dermal anchor underneath the skin, with the top of the anchor sitting on the skin's surface. The jewellery is then screwed into the top of the post.

After getting a dermal piercing, it is important to take care of it properly to ensure it heals well and to minimise the risk of infection and other complications. Here is some advice on dermal piercing aftercare:

• Keep the piercing area covered with a bandage for the first few days.
• Wash your hands with antibacterial soap before touching the piercing.
• Clean the piercing twice a day with a sea salt or saline solution, using a new paper towel each time.
• Gently wipe away any crust that forms between cleanings.
• Pat the piercing dry after each cleaning or shower.
• Avoid wearing tight clothing around the piercing, as this can irritate the skin and increase the risk of infection.
• Avoid getting your hair tangled in the jewellery.
• Refrain from playing high-impact sports or other activities where collision is possible, as this can also increase the risk of infection.
• Do not submerge the piercing in water (e.g. swimming, baths, hot tubs) until it is fully healed.
• Do not use antiseptics or antibacterial soap to clean the piercing, as these can be drying and irritate the skin.
• Do not pick, rub, or play with the piercing, as this can increase the risk of infection and scarring.
• Do not change the jewellery until the piercing is fully healed (usually after at least three months).

It is important to follow the specific aftercare instructions provided by your piercer and to seek their advice if you have any concerns or problems with the healing process.

Dermal anchor tools

Dermal anchors are a type of body piercing that involves creating a bore in the skin using a dermal punch or a large-gauge needle. The piercing is then secured with a dermal anchor and forceps, which becomes locked in place as the piercing heals. This process allows for easy interchangeability of different jewellery styles.

The tools required for dermal anchors include:

• Dermal punch or large-gauge needle: Used to create the bore in the skin for the piercing.
• Dermal top and anchor: These are assembled and inserted into the bore using dermal anchor forceps.
• Dermal anchor forceps: Used to hold and insert the dermal top and anchor into the bore.
• Jewellery styles: Dermal piercings offer flexibility, allowing users to choose from a wide array of jewellery styles that can be easily interchanged.

It is important to note that dermal piercings require a skilled body artist and are generally more expensive than surface piercings due to the increased skill and expertise involved.

Dermal anchor tops

When purchasing dermal anchor tops, it is important to ensure that the size and thread type match your dermal anchor. Etsy, for example, offers a wide range of dermal anchor tops with different designs and materials to choose from.

The aftercare for dermal piercings is similar to that of surface piercings and generally involves routine disinfection with a sea salt solution and maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle. It is important to avoid touching the piercing with dirty hands to reduce the risk of infection.

Frequently asked questions