HoleTruth Glossary A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z A Acrylic a type of plastic used in body jewelry. It is not appropriate for new piercings. Aftercare the things one does to care for new piercings. Proper aftercare is necessary to heal piercings. Alcohol (rubbing alcohol) Alcohol does not sterilize and is inappropriate for piercings. It merely moves the germs around; it does not kill them. Inappropriate for piercing aftercare. Ampallang A male genital piercing. It enters the glans on one side and exits horizontally the other side. In the US this piercing is normaly done just above the urethra, and in the UK the piercing is normaly placed so that it goes through the urethra. Anneal a way of strengthening jewelry. The metal is heated, then cooled, which makes it more flexible and less brittle. Anodize a way of coloring titanium and niobium. Electric current is run through the metal. The metal reacts with the air, forming oxides. The color of the oxide depends on the amount of electric current. Anti-eyebrow a surface piercing on the cheek bone underneath the eye Anti-helix (rook) a piercing of the largest wrinkle in the inner portion of the ear. Also called a rook. Anti-tragus A piercing of the lower projection of skin-covered cartilage in front of the opening of the ear. Apadravya A male genital piercing. It enters at the side of the fremum and travels to exit at the top of the glans. Apadydoe A Male Apadravya/Dydoe orbital piercing. A single ring passing through a crooked apadravya and an off-centre dydoe. These are typically done in pairs. APP Association of Professional Piercers. APP Website Austin bar horizontal nose tip piercing Autoclave a machine mandatory in piercing studios that sterilizes equipment like clamps, needles and jewelry. [top] B Ball Closure Ring (BCR) european term. alternate term for a captive bead ring (CBR), typically used in europe and australia. Bamboo a snack for pandas. Can also be used to make jewelry such as plugs. Banana bar or Bananabell Another name for curved barbell. Also banana bell. Barbell a straight metal bar with a ball on both ends. BB barbell BBB bent/curved barbell BCR Ball Closure Ring (same as CBR Captive Bead Ring) Beading implantation of 4-10mm beads or pearls under the skin,traditionally of the shaft of the penis Beauty Mark a piercing done through the skin above the upper lip to resemble a 'beauty mark'. Also called Monroe or Madonna. Beauty spot Another name for Beauty Mark Belly button another name for the navel Bifurication genital splitting Blowout a risk of stretching too fast, when the flesh tube is forced out the front or back of the piercing. Branding scarification through burning Bridge Also called an 'earl'. This is a piercing at the top of the nose, through the fleshy part between the eyes, not the cartilage. [top] C Captive Bead Ring (CBR) Circular jewelry with a slight gap closed with a dimpled ball held in place by the compression of the ring. This is the same as a Ball Closure Ring. Cartilage a fibrous body tissue that can be found in the outer ear and areas of the nose and has no blood vessels. CBB circular or curved barbell CBR captive bead ring Cheek a facial / oral piercing through the cheek, usually to resemble a dimple Chest bars a long and deep piercing through the skin of the chest Chin rare piercing through the chin itself, not entering the mouth. Christina A female genital piercing. It enters at the top of the clitoral hood, and exits the pubic mound. Circular Barbell horseshoe shaped barbell Clavicle a deep piercing passing underneath the collar bone (clavicle) on either side of the neck, between the neck and shoulder. Cleavage a surface piercing (usually vertically) done on the sternum between the breasts Cleopatra reverse PA Clitoral hood piercing of the hood of the clitoris can be done vertically, horizontally or both Clitoris A (rare) female genital piercing. The piercing can be done horizontally or vertically in the clitoris itself. Not many women have the anatomy to have this piercing and most who say that they have it actually have a clitoral hood piercing. Conch piercing through the inner shell of the ear Corset Normaly done as temporary piercings, they are placed in two lines down the back so that they can be laced, like a corset. Curved Carbell a barbell with a slight curve in it. Typically not curved as much as a circular barbell. [top] D Daith This ear piercing is done on the ridge in the ear that is the continuation of the inner helix. Deep PA a Prince Albert done with a large diameter ring, exiting further behind the glans, on the shaft of the penis, than a PA normally would. Dermal punch a cutting device that removes a round piece of tissue. Dermal punching using the above tool to make a large hole for large guage initial piercings Dolphin a single piece of jewelry conecting two prince alberts, one deeper than the other. Dydoe Male genital piercing of the ridge around the glans. [top] E Earlobe the fleshy part at the bottom of your ear. External Threading Barbells with their threads on the outisde of the bar are externally threaded. Internal threads are typically preferred Eyebrow piercing through the ridge of the eyebrow. The bar or ring passes underneath the eyebrow. It is typically done vertically though can be done horizontally. Eyelet round, hollow plug jewelry like a tube. Also known as a flesh tunnel [top] F Fishtail Labret a type of jewelry for a labret piercing which minimizes the average wear-and-tear on gums caused by the backing on a labret stud (the flat back) Fixed Bead Bing looks like a CBR, but the bead is attached to one end of the ring, the ring is merely pinched together to close. Flatback the backing of a labret stud Flesh Tube the healed "tube" of flesh inside your piercing Flesh Tunnel a round, hollow form of a plug Flexible Bar Piercing a surface piercing done with a flexible bar, such as pfte or tygon. Foreskin Male genital piercing of the foreskin. Fourchette a female genital piercing where the piercing is on the lowest part of the vagina, near the anus Frenum Male genital piercing of the frenum (the little 'web' of skin attached to the underside of the glans) Frenum Ladder Male genital piercing. A row of frenum piercings done along the penis is referred to as a frenum ladder, the piercings forming the "rungs" of the ladder. This is often referred to as a Jacob's Ladder Frowney piercing through the lower lips inner web [top] G Gauge the thickness of a piece of jewelry, abbreviated 'g' or 'ga'. Smaller gauges are thicker than larger gauges. For example, 6g jewelry is larger than 14g. Gauging gradually stretching a piercing to wear larger gauged jewelry. Glass see Pyrex Gold although people don't react to pure 24k gold, body jewelry is not pure gold. The metals mixed with gold to make it stronger and less expensive, can cause reactions in people. Gold should not be worn in healing piercings for this reason. Guiche the male form of the fourchette, placed between the scrotum and the anus. Gum Recession withdrawl of gums from teeth, caused by the rubbing of oral piercings on the teeth/gums. This can be minimized or avoided altogether by wearing appropriate jewelry and not playing with it. Gun Piercing Piercing guns cannot be sterilized properly.For this reason and other, they are inappropriate for piercing. Do not get pierced in this manner. Gurner see "Scrumper" [top] H Hafada A male genital piercing that sits on the side of the scrotum. Hand Web a temporary surface piercing on the slight web between fingers or finger and thumb on the hand. Also knows as a 'prayer piercing'. Helix any ear cartilage piercing around the rim of the cartilage is a helix. Hematite a grayish blackish kind of stone. Many CBRs come with hematite beads. Hood clitoral hood, can be pierced vertically or horizontally. Horizontal Cheek a horizontal surface piercing on the cheeks, typically from the corner of the mouth out towards the ears. Horizontal Eyebrow a horizontal eyebrow piercing, running along the brow Horizontal Hood A female genital piercing done side to side on the clitoral hood. Horizontal Lip This piercing is done from one side of the lip to the other side. A flexible bar is normally used. Horizontal Navel a navel piercing done along the navel rim instead of through it. this is a surface piercing prone to rejection Horizontal Tongue a piercing through the tongue but goes the the sides of the tongue, as opposed to the traditional tongue piercing which goes through the top and bottom Horizontal Upper Lip a facial piercing done between the upper lip and the nose, it runs horizontally, passing underneath the slight recess in the outer lip and exiting on either side. this piercing never penetrates into the mouth. Hymen Piercing An ULTRA RARE female genital piercing. This is a piercing of the hymen itself. [top] I Implant implantation of a foriegn object under the skin Industrial two piercings connected by one piece of jewelry, this is best done with a single piece of jewelry at the time of piercing, rather than trying to connect two seperate piercings at a later date Industrial Navel two navel piercings connected with one long piece of jewelry. Vertical industrial navel could potentially complicate sitting and bending moreso than a horizontal. Inner Conch the inner shell of the ear Inner Helix The part of the helix near the cheek. Inner Labia Female genital piercing of the inner labia (labia minora). Internal Threading Barbells with their threads inside the bar are internally threaded. This is generally preferred over external threading. Inverse Navel piercing the bottom rim of the navel Isabella A very rare female genital piercing. It enters at the top to the clitoral shaft and exits bellow the clitoris, having traveled along it's length. Isopropyl Alcohol Alcohol disinfects but does not sterilize. Inappropriate for piercings. [top] J Jestrum a vertical labret type piercing for the upper lip Jungle septum to front of nose piercing [top] K Keloid a raised, fibrous scar tissue, normally dark red to purple in color that forums at the site of surgery or trauma to the skin (such as piercing). people of African and Asian decent are more prone to keloids. keloids can only be removed surgically. [top] L Labia Female genital, there are two areas, the 'inner' (labia minora) and the 'outer' (labia majora). Labret A piercing done through or below the lower lip. Labret Stud (LS) jewelry for a labret piercing, typically a short barbell with a flatback. Lip those things that hold your mouth together. (see labret or vertical labret) Lobe A piercing through the ear lobe. Lobe Orbital two piercings in the ear lobe sharing one ring Lorum or Lowrum A male genital piercing, this sits where the penile shaft meets the scrotum (a low frenum). Lowbret a form of a labret piercing. the piercing is placed as low as possible on the inside of the lip, but is known for discomfort, since the flat backs are right against the gums at all times LS (labret stud) Lucite a kind of plastic used in large guage body jewelry. Lymph a transparent yellow fluid, composed mainly of dead white blood cells. Secreted by healing cuts, scrapes, and piercings. [top] M Madison A surface piercing at the base of the throat. Rumored to be named after the porn star Madison! Madonna another name for a beauty mark Marilyn another name for a beauty mark Medusa a piercing done above the upper lip, in the center. Migration movement of the jewelry/piercing within the body, moving the jewelry to a different place or possibly migrating completely out of your body. Signs of migration are redness, a line-scar where the jewelry has traveled, more of the jewelry showing than used to (different than swelling reduction), or a thinning of the skin holding the jewelry. Monroe another name for a beauty mark [top] N Nape a surface piercing on the back of the neck Nasallang 3 piercings in one. A barbell enters the nostril, then passes through the septum, then exits the other nostril. Navel a piercing anywhere along the rim of the navel (also known as the belly button). Typically done on the top but can be done on the sides or bottom as well. Navel Industrial two navel piercings connected with one long piece of jewelry Needle the only thing that is appropriate to use to pierce with. needles must be sterilized, opened in front of the customer, then disposed of in a sharps container immediately after use Needle Piercing A piercing done with a needle. The PROPER way to be pierced! Niobium An elemental metal, very useful for body piercing jewelry as it is hypo-allergenic. Heavier than SSS and titanium. Nipple A piercing of the nipple. Male and female placement is different. Nipple Shield A piece of jewelry with a hole in the middle for the nipple to poke through. The shield is held in place by the nipple jewelry Nostril A piercing done through the nostril. Should never be pierced with a piercing gun! Nostril Screw (NS) jewelry for the nostrils that is a stud that spirals in a flat circle on the bottom, the "screw" is what holds the jewelry in place once inside your nose. NS (nostril screw) Nylon can be used as temporary jewelry, such as a retainer. inappropriate for long-term use as it can absorb bodily fluids. [top] O Orbital two piercings connected by a single ring. A single ring passes through the body part twice. Often done on the earlobe. O-Ring a rubber ring used on retainers and beadless jewelry such as plugs or fleshtunnels, to hold the jewelry in place by surrounding it (with one on each side of the jewelry) so that it cannot fall out. Occlusive Bandage a bandage that lets air in and water out but does not let water in. The only kind of bandage acceptable for covering piercings if you MUST swim with a new piercing. Organic (jewelry) all natural (bone, stone, wood) Outer Conch the outer shell of the ear Outer Labia A female genital piercing of the outer labia (labia majora). [top] P PA see "Prince Albert" Pearling see "Beading" Penis can be pierced more ways than any other body part (see Prince Albert, Frenum, Ampallang, Hafada, Dydoe, Guiche, Reverse Prince Albert, Foreskin, Pubic, Apadravya, Dolphin, Deep Shaft, Apadydoe) Piercing Gun Piercing guns cannot be sterilized properly.For this reason and other, they are inappropriate for piercing. Do not get pierced in this manner. Piercing License there really is no such thing...there are no accredited institutions of piercing. Some states/counties/cities require a piercer to obtain a license from them after completing certain courses (such as a bloodborne pathogens course), but this does not make them a good piercer. Plastic (jewelry) see acrylic or nylon Plug a type of jewelry used for large gauge piercings, usually ear, which is wider on the ends and will sit flush with the body Pocketing This is where the 2 ends of the jewelry are under the skin, and the middle is exposed Portfolio something every good piercer has -- a book of pictures of piercings they've done. ask to see your piercers portfolio before they pierce you! Prayer Piercing Another name for a Hand Web piercing Prince Albert A male genital piercing. It enters directly behind the glans on the back of the penis head and exits through the urethra. Princess Albertina A (rare) female genital piercing. It enters in the urethra and exits the vagina. Many piercers will not do this piercing due to worry of bladder infection increase. PTFE See 'Teflon' Pubic A male genital piercing. This is a surface piercing that sits just above the base of the penile shaft. Pyrex A kind of glass that is heat and chemical resistant. It can be autoclaved. It is used in large gauge jewelry, such as plugs. [top] Q [top] R Rejection when the body literally forces the piercing out, leaving behind a scar. these can usually be repierced behind the scar tissue and are less likely to reject a second time. (also see "migration") Reverse PA the opposite of the PA, it enters through the top of the glans and exits through the urethra Rook a piercing of the largest wrinkle in the inner portion of the ear. Also called Anti-Helix. [top] S Sadhu a term for a large gauge inner conch piercing, usually with the help of a dermal punch. Salt Soaks part of proper aftercare, sea salt soaks help piercings heal properly by drawing impurities out of the piercing. the proper mixture is 1/4 tsp. sea salt to 8 ounces (1 cup) warm/hot water. (also see "sea salt") Scalpelling enlarging a stretched lobe through cutting Scalpel Piercing initial large guage piercing, performed using a scalpel Scarification the artistic application of applying scars Scrotal piercing through the skin of the scrotum Scrumper the opposite of a "frowny", a piercing of the slight web (frenulum) between the upper lip and gums Sea Salt a non-iodized form of salt. also kosher salt. used for sea salt soaks Septum A piercing of the nasal septum (the middle of the nose, between the nostrils). Septum Retainer a staple-shaped retainer specially designed for the septum Shaft Ampallang an ampallang piercing passing through the penis shaft directly behind the glans, instead of the glans itself Shaft Apadravya an apadravya piercing passing through the penis shaft directly behind the glans, instead of the glans itself Smiley the opposite of a "frowny", a piercing of the slight web (frenulum) between the upper lip and gums. Also called 'Scrumper'. Snug a piercing of the vertical cartilage fold directly inside the rim of the ear Soap a mild antibacterial hand soap is optimal, fragrance/color free is best. oatmeal based soaps are also prime, especially when tea-tree-oil is an ingredient. optimally, specially formatted piercing soaps that will promote healing and drainage can be purchased in the HoleTruth Jewelry Store. Sprung a deep piercing that begins under the tongue and emerges underneath the chin SS or SSS stainless steel or surgical stainless steel Stainless Steel or Surgical Stainless Steel most people can wear steel jewelry, even those allergic to other metals. typically implant grade, one of two materials acceptable for new/healing piercings. Staple barbell see "surface bar" Sterilization cannot be done without an autoclave, kills all bacteria and germs on the object being sterilized. Sterling Silver (jewelry) Many people have bad reactions to wearing silver in piercings. Silver is inappropriate for new/healing piercings for this reason. Stretching increasing the size of piercing to wear larger gauged jewelry Stud a piece of jewelry that is not a ring. For example, a labret stud, a gun stud, a nostril screw or a nose bone. Subcision Another name for Subincision. Subincision splitting the underside of the penis. Also called 'Subcision'. Surface Bar or Surface Barbell especially designed barbell for doing surface piercings which resembles a staple Surface piercing piercing a flat area of skin, it is essential to use "surface bars" for this work Surface Wire a thinner form of a surface bar, also used in surface piercings. Swimming swimming before your piercing is healed is not reccomended. The water (regardless of its type--pool, lake, ocean, bathtub, etc) contains bacteria and microbes that you do NOT want in your piercing. If you MUST swim, cover your piercing with an occlusive bandage (see "occlusive bandage") and then wash your piercing with the proper aftercare once you finish. [top] T T-Bar a piercing with 3 or more exit holes, or jewelry that has 3 or more exits, such as barbells shaped like a T. Taper a cone shaped, needle-like object used to stretch piercings while gauging or stretching. Tea Tree Oil Said to reduce scarring and promote healing in piercings. Great to have in your soap, not so great to apply directly to your piercing. Lethal to cats. Teflon Also known as PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene), it is used for implants and is also available as barbells, these can be very useful when having x-rays. PTFE is also useful where a flexible barbell is needed. Tegaderm a type of occlusive bandage (see "occlusive bandage") Third (summary) Nipple can be pierced just like the first two nipples. Threading The ridges that screw together a barbell and its ends. see "internal threading" or "external threading" Thrush a fungal infection on the tongue, caused by using too much mouthwash. It can often be cured by simply diluting the mouthwash. Titanium a bio-compatible metal used in medical implants and body jewelry. It can be anodized to add colors. Tongue an oral piercing through the tongue, usually vertically from top to bottom. Tongue Rim oral piercings located on/near the outer edge of the tongue. Tongue Splitting splitting the tongue to achieve a forked affect Tongue Web The thin piece of skin that attaches the bottom of your tongue to your mouth. Tragus The small piece of cartilage at the front of the ear, joining on to your cheek. Transdermal Implant an implant which passes through the skin Transcrotal piercing from front to rear of scrotum Transverse Lobe an earlobe piercing passing through the length of the lobe, instead of merely piercing the width of it. Triangle A female genital piercing. It is a piercing that travels under the clitoral shaft horizontally. Not all women have the anatomy for this piercing. True Navel a piercing of an "outie" navel, passing through the navel itself instead of the navel rim. Tygon extremely flexible plastic tubing used mainly for surface piercings. [top] U Upper Sadhu a large gauge piercing of the outer rim of the ear. typically done with a dermal punch. [top] V Venom a tongue piercing off to the side of the tongue, instead of the center. Usually done in pairs ("venoms") Vertical Bridge a vertical surface piercing above the nose on the forehead between the eyes. Vertical Hood a female genital piercing that passes vertically through the clitoral hood. Vertical Industrial two piercings connected with one long piece of jewelry, done vertically. Vertical Labret a labret piercing which instead of being pierced perpendicular to the teeth, is pierced parallel. the bottom ball is in the normal place of a labret, but up through the lip, and the top ball lays on the top of the lip. Vertical Lobe This piercing travels top to bottom through the lobe. Vertical Lowbret This is a piercing that travels from inside the mouth, between the gum and the cheek/lower lip, and exits at the chin. Vertical Tragus A piercing of the tragus that goes from top to bottom. [top] W Wood (jewelry) jewelry made out of wood, typically larger gauge such as plugs. [top] X [top] Y [top] Z [top] Close Window