Some piercings are barely painful, while others have some mild pain. This guide answers if piercings hurt and explores the pain scale from the least to most painful.
We cover the following:
Do Piercings Hurt?
Piercings Pain Scale: From Least to Most Painful
Do Piercings Hurt After?
Which Body Piercings Hurt the Most?
Which Body Piercings Hurt the Least?
How to Avoid Piercing Pain
If you have questions or are ready for your next piercing, call (905) 897-3503.
Do Piercings Hurt?
Piercings involve some level of pain, which varies depending on the piercing location and individual pain tolerance. Earlobe piercings are the least painful, often feeling like a quick pinch, while cartilage and sensitive areas, like nipples or genitals, tend to hurt more. The pain is usually brief and manageable, as professional piercers work quickly.
Factors like the tissue's thickness and the nerve endings' presence influence the pain level. Proper preparation, such as choosing an experienced piercer and staying relaxed, can help. Aftercare is crucial to minimize discomfort and ensure a smooth healing process.
How Much Do Piercings Hurt?
Piercing pain varies by location and individual tolerance. Earlobes hurt the least, feeling like a quick pinch (1/10), while cartilage and sensitive areas like nipples or genitals hurt more (up to 10/10). The pain is brief, manageable, and depends on tissue thickness and nerve endings. Proper aftercare reduces discomfort.
Piercings Pain Scale: From Least to Most Painful
1. Ear Lobe
Pain Scale: 1/10
What You May Feel: A quick pinch or slight pressure. The sensation lasts for only a second.
The earlobe is soft tissue with no cartilage, making it easy to pierce with minimal discomfort.
This is one of the most common starter piercings. Healing time is usually 6-8 weeks, and aftercare involves cleaning with saline solution twice daily.
2. Helix (Upper Ear)
Pain Scale: 3/10
What You May Feel: A sharper pinch or sting, followed by mild soreness for a few days.
Why It Hurts More Than Earlobe: The helix involves cartilage, which is tougher than soft tissue.
Healing takes 3-6 months. It’s essential to avoid sleeping on the piercing to prevent irritation.
3. Nose (Nostril)
Pain Scale: 4/10
What You May Feel: A sharp pinch followed by brief watering of the eyes. Many describe the pain as fleeting.
Why It Hurts: The nose has a mix of soft tissue and thin cartilage.
Healing usually takes 4-6 months. Be gentle when blowing your nose during the healing process.
4. Eyebrow
Pain Scale: 4/10
What You May Feel: A quick sting and some pressure. Bruising or swelling might occur in the area.
Why It Hurts: The eyebrow is pierced through soft tissue, which is less painful than cartilage but slightly more sensitive.
Healing time is around 2-3 months. Avoid touching or snagging the piercing on clothing.
5. Tongue
Pain Scale: 4.5/10
What You May Feel: A brief sharp pain followed by swelling. Most people say it’s not as bad as they expect.
Why It Hurts: The tongue is muscular and contains many nerves, but the piercing process is fast.
Healing takes 4-6 weeks. Swelling can be managed by drinking cold beverages and avoiding spicy foods.
6. Lip (Labret, Monroe, or Medusa)
Pain Scale: 5/10
What You May Feel: A quick sting, followed by mild soreness. Swelling may occur in the first few days.
Why It Hurts: The piercing goes through both soft tissue and skin.
Healing takes 2-3 months. Avoid playing with the jewelry to prevent irritation.
7. Navel (Belly Button)
Pain Scale: 6/10
What You May Feel: A sharp pinch and pressure, followed by mild soreness.
Why It Hurts: The skin around the navel is thicker and more resistant.
Healing time can be 6-12 months. Wear loose clothing to avoid irritation.
8. Daith (Inner Ear Cartilage)
Pain Scale: 6.5/10
What You May Feel: A strong pinch and pressure during the piercing, with lingering soreness for a few days.
Why It Hurts: The daith involves thick cartilage, which takes longer to pierce.
Healing takes 6-9 months. It is believed by some to help with migraines, though evidence is anecdotal.
9. Septum
Pain Scale: 6.5/10
What You May Feel: A sharp pinch that may cause your eyes to water, followed by mild soreness.
Why It Hurts: The septum piercing targets the thin tissue between your nostrils, often called the “sweet spot.”
Healing time is 6-8 months. It’s easy to hide the piercing by flipping the jewelry inward.
10. Industrial (Barbell Across Two Points in the Ear)
Pain Scale: 7/10
What You May Feel: A double sharp pinch, one for each hole. The soreness can last longer due to the dual piercing.
Why It Hurts: Cartilage is thicker and more sensitive to pressure.
Healing takes 6-12 months. Be cautious to prevent snagging on hair or accessories.
11. Nipple
Pain Scale: 8/10
What You May Feel: A sharp, intense pain that lasts a few seconds, followed by soreness for a few days.
Why It Hurts: The nipple contains dense nerve endings, making it very sensitive.
Healing can take 6-12 months. Avoid tight clothing during healing to reduce discomfort
12. Genital Piercings
Pain Scale: 8-10/10 (Varies by Type)
What You May Feel: Intense pain during the piercing process, followed by soreness. Pain levels vary depending on the specific location.
Why It Hurts: Genital areas are highly sensitive and contain dense nerve endings.
Healing times range from 4 weeks to 6 months. These piercings require strict aftercare to prevent infection.
Do Piercings Hurt After?
Piercings may hurt slightly after the procedure, depending on the location and your pain tolerance. Common sensations include soreness, tenderness, or mild throbbing, especially in cartilage or sensitive areas.
This discomfort lasts a few days to weeks. Swelling and redness are normal initially but should improve with proper aftercare. Cleaning the piercing regularly with saline solution and avoiding irritation, like touching or snagging jewelry, helps reduce pain and speeds healing. Persistent or severe pain may indicate infection and requires attention.
Which Body Piercings Hurt the Most?
The most painful piercings are those in sensitive areas with dense nerve endings or thick tissue. Genital piercings, nipple piercings, and industrial piercings (ear cartilage) rank highest on the pain scale, with pain levels reaching 8-10/10 for some individuals.
The intensity depends on the location, tissue type, and individual pain tolerance.
Which Body Piercings Hurt the Least?
The least painful piercings are earlobe piercings, which rank 1/10 on the pain scale. They involve soft tissue without cartilage and are quick and easy to heal. Other low-pain options include eyebrow and nostril piercings.
How to Avoid Piercing Pain
Choose Our Experienced Piercer
A skilled piercer uses proper techniques and equipment, reducing the time and discomfort during the procedure. Their precision ensures minimal tissue trauma and smoother healing.
Prepare Mentally and Physically
Stay relaxed to lower sensitivity to pain. Eat a healthy meal beforehand to prevent lightheadedness, and avoid caffeine or alcohol, which can increase anxiety and inflammation.
Numb the Area (If Permitted)
Some piercers offer numbing creams or sprays that reduce surface sensitivity. While these don’t eliminate pain, they make the initial pinch more bearable.
Breathe Properly
Deep breathing helps calm your nerves and lowers pain perception. Inhale deeply before the piercing and exhale as it happens to distract from the sensation.
Opt for Low-Pain Locations First
Start with less painful piercings, like the earlobe, if you’re nervous. Building confidence with these can prepare you for more sensitive areas later.
Follow Aftercare Instructions
Pain can persist after the procedure if the piercing becomes irritated or infected. Clean it regularly with saline solution, avoid touching it unnecessarily, and wear loose-fitting clothes for body piercings to reduce irritation.
Wear Comfortable Jewelry
Properly sized and high-quality jewelry, such as titanium or surgical steel, prevents unnecessary friction and allergic reactions, reducing soreness.
Avoid Irritants
Don’t sleep on fresh piercings or wear tight clothing over them. Protect them from harsh products like alcohol or hydrogen peroxide, which can cause stinging and delay healing.
Xtremeties Tattoo & Piercing Studio: Experienced Professional Piercers
Xtremities Tattoo & Piercing Studio, located in the heart of Mississauga at 37 Dundas St W, is the longest-running tattoo and piercing studio in the area. Known for its experienced professional piercers, all personally trained by owner Steven, Xtremities ensures a less painful and expert piercing experience.
Open seven days a week, our studio uses high-quality surgical steel jewelry and offers a wide range of piercings. With skilled artists like Valeria, Gwen, and Takayla, your piercing experience is unmatched.
Call us at (905) 897-3503 or visit us to explore our professional services.
FAQs
What does piercing pain feel like?
Piercing pain feels like a sharp pinch or sting that lasts only a few seconds. Depending on the location, there may be mild soreness or throbbing afterward.
What is the most painful piercing?
The most painful piercing is a genital or nipple piercing due to the dense nerve endings in these areas, making them more sensitive than other body parts.
How painful is your first piercing?
Your first piercing, often an earlobe piercing, is usually not very painful, feeling like a quick pinch with minimal discomfort during and after the procedure.
What hurts more, a shot or a piercing?
A piercing generally hurts less than a shot because it targets a smaller area, and the pain is quicker, while shots involve deeper tissue penetration.
How do you get a painless piercing?
To get a painless piercing, choose our experienced piercer, stay relaxed, use numbing creams if allowed, and select low-pain areas like the earlobe. Proper aftercare minimizes discomfort.
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