Deciding to get a new piercing is sometimes overwhelming and can require a lot of research! It’s not uncommon for one piercing to have several different names, nicknames, or slang terms depending on the person, location, or culture.
It’s crucial to bridge the communication gap between client and piercer to ensure you’re getting exactly what you want! Knowing the proper terminology and understanding your piercing through and through will help this process go smoothly—and you’ll love your results every time!
Don’t worry! We’ve already done most of the grunt work, so kick back, relax, and enjoy our breakdown of some of the most common piercing slang terms.
Medusa Piercing
This badass piercing was nicknamed after Medusa, an infamous figure of Greek mythology known for her head of snakes and deathly gaze. While many know this type of piercing as the medusa, its original and technical name is the philtrum piercing. It’s located directly above the upper lip and under the nose septum, yet the style is similar to that of a Madonna piercing or a Monroe piercing.
It’s important to know the exact part of your body that is being pierced here, which is the center of the philtrum groove. Medusa piercings can take anywhere from 6-12 weeks to heal and are usually pierced with a labret stud. This piercing is the perfect way to show off your divine energies and seductive power! For more information about Medusa piercings, check out our Medusa Piercing: Everything You Need to Know.
Snake Bites Piercing
Snake bite piercings are actually made up of two labret piercings, located on both sides of the lower lip, resembling a snake bite (hence the name!). Labret studs, horseshoe rings, and curved barbells are the most common jewelry types that work best for this piercing.
With other similarly named piercings to choose from, like spider bite piercings and angel bite piercings, it’s easy to get lost in a sea of different variations! Like we mentioned before, it’s so important to know exactly what you’re getting pierced and where. It’s easy to remember snake bite piercings by their paired lower lip location.
Snake bite piercings can take anywhere from 6-8 weeks to heal completely, but times can vary from person to person. Always consult your professional piercer! For a more detailed guide on these hot statement pieces, check out our Snake Bites Piercing: Everything You Need to Know.
Monroe Piercing
This popular piercing is nicknamed after Marilyn Monroe and is meant to mimic her iconic beauty mark! The Monroe piercing sits on the fleshy part of the skin directly above the left side of the top lip, just like Marilyn’s beauty mark. This piercing is quite similar to the Madonna piercing, which is located above the right side of the lip. Most Marilyn fans, dedicated to completing her look, go for a classic labret stud, but this piercing can also support a variety of different labret jewelry styles.
Healing time for this piercing can be anywhere from 6-12 weeks but does vary from person to person. For more detailed information about this piercing check out our Monroe Piercing: Everything You Need to Know.
Madonna Piercing
A Madonna piercing is a close (and equally fabulous) cousin to the Monroe piercing. The Madonna piercing celebrates ‘80s pop star Madonna’s faux beauty mark. This iconic feature is always on the right side of her upper lip. The piercing sits pretty on the fleshy part of the skin directly above the right side of the top lip.
A variety of different labret styles can be used in this piercing, so you’ll always have the chance to spice things up!
Spider Bites Piercing
Spider bite piercings consist of two punctures on the left or right side of the lower lip, resembling a true spider bite! Unlike snake bite piercings or angel bite piercings, spider bites are clustered together on the same side of the lower lip.
There’s a large variety of jewelry options for this popular piercing, including labret studs, lip rings, captive bead rings, and circular and curved barbells. Healing time for this piercing is around 4-12 weeks, but make sure to consult your professional piercer if you have any concerns.
Angel Bites Piercing
Consider angel bite piercings to be the exact opposite of snake bite piercings. Instead of having two punctures on each side of your lower lip, angel bites are a set of piercings that sit symmetrically on each side of the skin above the upper lip. The most common types of jewelry for this piercing are flat back labret lip rings or curved barbells.
Sometimes this piercing is even referred to as the Madonna-Monroe piercing, as both of those piercings together equal an angel bites piercing. Complicated? We know, but we’re here to help! Just remember to be as clear as possible with your piercer about your expectations and come to your appointment researched and ready!
For more information about angel bite piercings, and lip piercings in general, check out our Lip Piercing: The Complete Guide!
Smiley Piercing
A smiley piercing, otherwise known as an upper lip frenulum piercing, is an inner lip piercing that punctures through the thin layer of skin that connects your upper lip to your gum. It’s often referred to as a smiley piercing because it’s essentially invisible unless you’re smiling! This bold statement is perfect for those who are always showing off their pearly white smiles!
The most common jewelry types for this piercing are horseshoe rings, captive bead rings, and seamless captive rings. Healing time for a smiley piercing is different for everyone, but can range anywhere from 4-8 weeks. For more information about smiley piercings, visit our Smiley Piercing: Everything You Need to Know guide!
Vampire Bites Piercing
A vampire bite piercing is an ordinary surface piercing located on the side of the neck, just below the chin. The striking appearance of this neck piercing is meant to mimic the look of fang marks, as if a vampire bit into your neck! This piercing is also sometimes referred to as a vampire kiss piercing, or a neck surface piercing.
Curved barbells work best with this type of piercing, as straight barbells can lead to infection and migration. For more information about body piercings and proper aftercare check out our complete Body Piercing: All You Need To Know – Interview with a Body Piercer!
Anti-Eyebrow Piercing
Anti-eyebrow piercings are another type of surface piercing that sits on the surface of the skin. This piercing can also be known as a teardrop piercing or a butterfly piercing. It’s located just above the cheekbone, which is why it’s often referred to as the anti-eyebrow piercing. It sits in symmetry with an eyebrow piercing, just lower down on the face.
The most common jewelry styles for this specific piercing type are surface bars, curved barbells, and eyebrow barbells. Thinking about getting one? Check out our Anti-Eyebrow: Everything You Need to Know!
Vagina Piercings: Let’s Talk About It!
Genital piercings can sometimes feel taboo or uncomfortable to talk about, but research is crucial if you’re thinking about getting one. Oftentimes, the term “clit piercing” can be a little bit misleading. There are many different types of clitoral and vagina piercings, a majority of which don’t even involve directly piercing the clitoris itself, yet this seems to be the general idea! Crazy, right?
We’re here to clear up some of the confusion and help you let your piercer know what you really mean!
VCH Piercing (Vertical Hood Piercing)
This is the most common type of vaginal piercing and when you hear someone talking about a “clit piercing,” nine times out of ten this is what they’re referring to. This particular piercing doesn’t pierce through the clitoris at all, but rather pierces the top portion of the clitoral hood. This piercing can be done vertically or horizontally, and has even been known to enhance sexual pleasure! However, some people may not have clitoral hoods that will support this kind of piercing, so always be sure to check with your professional piercer before making any decisions! Curved barbells are the most common jewelry type for VCH piercings because they follow the natural shape of your body.
A Christina Piercing
Otherwise known as a Venus piercing, this specific genital piercing is placed vertically through the pubic mound and above the clitoral hood. It looks somewhat similar to a belly button piercing, only located further down on your body. Metal L-bars and curved barbells are the most popular jewelry for this piercing type.
This specific piercing is based on personal anatomy and may not be suitable for everyone—but that’s okay! There are plenty more to choose from.
Clitoral Glans Piercing
This is the only actual clitoris piercing that punctures directly through the head of the clitoris itself. This is often times confused with a VCH piercing, which is why it’s so important to know and research true piercing terminology and slang. Many bodies aren’t equipped to support this type of piercing, and there is a large risk of nerve damage, making it one of the less common vagina piercings. Curved barbell jewelry is popularly used with this piercing, and healing time can take anywhere from 4-8 weeks.
Prince Albert Piercing
A Prince Albert piercing is one of the most common male genital piercings. This piercing is named after Prince Albert, who was rumored to have gotten his penis pierced in his twenties. It’s inserted through the underside of the penile shaft through the urethra, toward the head of the penis.
Healing time can be anywhere from 2-3 weeks, but always be sure to consult a professional piercer. Curved barbells are the most common type of jewelry for this piercing. This piercing is known to enhance sexual pleasure, for both you and your partner!
For more information about genital piercings, and other body piercings, check out our Body Piercings – The Complete Guide!
Deciding to get a piercing is never an easy task, especially when there are so many different terms and nicknames to choose from! You always want to make sure that you and your piercer are on the same page, and that you know exactly what you’re asking for! Always consult a professional piercer with any questions or concerns.
Whether you’re a jewelry junkie or a newbie to the piercing world, we hope this has made life a little easier for you! Check out How To Care For Your Body Jewelry And Body Piercings and Face Piercings: The Complete Guide for more in-depth information on piercings and how to care for them!
