Dermal piercings are rapidly gaining a lot of attention among youth as a unique and subtle form of self-expression. Recently, Kim Kardashian and Kanye West’s 12-year-old daughter, North West, was seen with dermal piercing on her finger, while she made an appearance at the Venice Film Festival, accompanying her mother, who received a humanitarian award at the DVF Awards.
Photos from earlier in August also seemed to show the piercing, and in a recent TikTok video, North was seen covering the area with a Band-Aid, further fueling speculation.
Unlike traditional piercings, dermal anchors create the illusion of a gem or small ornament embedded directly into the skin, offering a minimalist yet eye-catching aesthetic. This trend is fueled by social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok, where influencers and celebrities showcase their jewelled finger adornments, sparking widespread interest.
The trend has sparked a debate on social media about the risks involved in it. Thus, today Dr. Ashwini R. Mahesh, Consultant Dermatologist, SPARSH Hospital has explained about the dermal piercing and its potential health risks.
**What is Dermal Piercing?** Dermal piercing means piercing that creates an illusion of a ring or gem or a diamond embedded directly into the skin, unlike traditional rings. Usually, it seems trendy among youths due to its subtle yet eye-catching effect. It is also called single-point piercing because dermal doesn’t have a separate entry and exit point for jewellery.
It is done with a needle or single punch, which is called ‘dermal.’ The types of jewellery used in single-point piercing are-
– **Anchor-** An anchor is inserted underneath the skin that may have either a rounded base or flat “feet” on each side of the post.
– **Top-** After the anchor is in place, piercer will top off the anchor with metal studs or magnetic gems.
– **Diver-** These are pointed-end bases with preset jewellery on top. In this process skin puncher is used to insert this type of jewellery.
**What is the process of dermal piercing?**
A dermal piercing is like embedding a tiny jewel directly into your skin. It’s different from a regular piercing because it doesn’t have an exit point. Instead, a small anchor is placed under your skin to hold the jewellery in place.
**What is Dermal Piercing?** Dermal piercing means piercing that creates an illusion of a ring or gem or a diamond embedded directly into the skin, unlike traditional rings. Usually, it seems trendy among youths due to its subtle yet eye-catching effect. It is also called single-point piercing because dermal doesn’t have a separate entry and exit point for jewellery.
It is done with a needle or single punch, which is called ‘dermal.’ The types of jewellery used in single-point piercing are-
– **Anchor-** An anchor is inserted underneath the skin that may have either a rounded base or flat “feet” on each side of the post.
– **Top-** After the anchor is in place, piercer will top off the anchor with metal studs or magnetic gems.
– **Diver-** These are pointed-end bases with preset jewellery on top. In this process skin puncher is used to insert this type of jewellery.
**What is the process of dermal piercing?**
A dermal piercing is like embedding a tiny jewel directly into your skin. It’s different from a regular piercing because it doesn’t have an exit point. Instead, a small anchor is placed under your skin to hold the jewellery in place.
_How It’s Done (Step-by-Step):_
– **Consultation:** It’s always better to consult a dermatologist before going for such piercing.
– **Cleaning and Marking:** First, the piercer will thoroughly clean the area where you want the piercing to prevent infection.
– **Anesthetic Cream:** It is applied in that case, where people are unable to bear the pain of the piercing.
Once the area is dry, they’ll use a pen or marker to mark the exact spot for the piercing. This ensures the jewellery is placed correctly.
– **Creating the Pocket (Two Methods):**
Method 1: Using a Needle: The piercer will use a needle to puncture your skin, creating a small “pocket” underneath. They’ll carefully pull the needle back out, leaving the pocket open. Method 2: Using a Skin Punch: Instead of a needle, the piercer uses a special tool called a skin punch. The skin punch removes a tiny piece of tissue, creating the pocket for the anchor. This is often considered less painful than the needle method.
– **Inserting the Anchor:** Using forceps (small tweezers), the piercer will carefully insert the base of the anchor into the pocket they created. They’ll gently push the anchor in until it’s completely under your skin.
– **Attaching the Jewellery:** Once the anchor is securely in place, the piercer will screw on the decorative jewellery top. This could be a metal stud, a gem, or any other small ornament.
_Notably, there might be some pain, but it varies from person to person. Fleshy areas tend to hurt less. Skin punches are often considered less painful than needles._
**Risks involved in dermal piercing**
Dermal piercings, while stylish, come with several potential risks. Infection is a primary concern if the procedure isn’t performed in a sterile environment or if aftercare is neglected, allowing bacteria to penetrate the dermis. Displacement can occur if the anchor isn’t inserted deeply enough, causing it to shift within the skin. Rejection is another possibility, where the body identifies the piercing as a foreign object and attempts to expel it. Furthermore, there’s a risk of tissue damage if the anchor is inserted too deeply, potentially harming surrounding blood vessels or nerves. Hypergranulation, characterized by a red bump around the piercing site, can develop due to overly tight jewellery, irritation, or improper cleaning.
Activities like applying makeup or wearing tight clothing over the area, or even excessive touching, can contribute to this issue. Finally, scarring is inevitable if the piercing is rejected or removed. It’s crucial to discuss these risks with a qualified piercer beforehand and diligently follow aftercare instructions to minimize complications.
**Things to take care during dermal piercing**
Dermal piercings generally heal in one to three months, but neglecting aftercare can prolong healing. Expect crusting and minor swelling initially, which should subside over time. These symptoms are usually normal unless accompanied by yellow or green pus, heat, or other infection signs.
Proper aftercare is crucial for a smooth and timely healing process. If you notice any signs of infection, consult your piercer or a healthcare professional promptly. Proper cleaning and care are crucial to the success of your dermal piercing.
_**During the healing process, do:**_
– **Protect it:** Keep it covered with a bandage for the first few days.
– **Clean hands:** Always wash your hands with antibacterial soap before touching the piercing.
– **Use clean towels**: Use a fresh paper towel each time you clean it.
– **Clean regularly:** Clean the piercing twice a day with a sea salt or saline solution.
– **Remove crust:** Gently wipe away any crust that forms.
– **Keep it dry:** Cover the piercing in the shower if you can.
– **Pat dry:** Gently pat the area dry after cleaning or showering.
_**Avoid these things while your dermal piercing heals:**_
– **Tight clothes:** Don’t wear tight clothing that rubs against the piercing.
– **Hair tangles:** Keep your hair away from the jewelry.
– **Impact:** Avoid sports or activities where the piercing could get hit.
– **Submerging:** Don’t soak the piercing in baths, pools, or other water.
– **Harsh soaps:** Don’t use antiseptics or antibacterial soap to clean it.
– **Rubbing**: Don’t rub the area with a towel; pat it dry gently.
– **Changing jewellery:** Don’t change the jewellery for at least three months.
– **Touching**: Don’t play with or remove the jewellery.