Sternum (Cleavage) Piercings

Does anyone have any experience with these? Have one/has a friend who had it done? I don't even mind horror stories.
I've been googling but there isn't too much info about this piercing, oddly enough. It doesn't even have a page on Wiki :p:

.

Things I'd love to know:
1) How likely are they to reject, as far as the ranking of most -> least likely for surface piercings?
2) Where would the skin need to be pierced to make it less likely that it is rejected? I've seen them in so many different places it confuses me.
3) How long do they typically last? Can you repierce easily? Is it recommended?
4) How much do they cost?

Thanks peeps :biggrin:

Reply 1

Kate.

15

1) How likely are they to reject, as far as the ranking of most -> least likely for surface piercings?

Napes are generally considered the most 'stable' of surface piercings. Sternum piercings can be pretty long-term, depending on your anatomy (people with bigger boobs tend to find them more awkward to heal - more pressure when you're not wearing a bra, etc) and the jewellery.

2) Where would the skin need to be pierced to make it less likely that it is rejected? I've seen them in so many different places it confuses me.

The piercer should position it where it's most suitable. Try putting 2 dots an inch or so apart where you'd like it placed and stand in front of a mirror moving your arms around and stuff. Yeah, you'll look like an idiot, but basically the positions where the dots move around the least will be the best ;D

3) How long do they typically last? Can you repierce easily? Is it recommended?

They can be as long-term as any other piercing or they can last a week. Just please make sure you go to an experienced piercer and if possible ask to see a portfolio of both healed AND fresh surface piercings. Make sure they know what they're on about. That means using an internally threaded titanium surface bar that's actually measured for you. You might need to go in before for an appointment where they'll figure out what jewellery is best and order it in.

4) How much do they cost?
Probably £30-£40 depending on the area and the piercer.

Where abouts do you live? Someone can probably recommend a good piercer.

Also, I strongly suggest using disc ends rather than balls, at least for the initial healing period.

Reply 2

sarCAZm

11

I don't have any answers but I think they are the most gorgeous piercings!
So if you get it done post pictures XD

Reply 3

*Katie*

OP

1

Kate.

1) How likely are they to reject, as far as the ranking of most -> least likely for surface piercings?
Napes are generally considered the most 'stable' of surface piercings. Sternum piercings can be pretty long-term, depending on your anatomy (people with bigger boobs tend to find them more awkward to heal - more pressure when you're not wearing a bra, etc) and the jewellery.

2) Where would the skin need to be pierced to make it less likely that it is rejected? I've seen them in so many different places it confuses me.
The piercer should position it where it's most suitable. Try putting 2 dots an inch or so apart where you'd like it placed and stand in front of a mirror moving your arms around and stuff. Yeah, you'll look like an idiot, but basically the positions where the dots move around the least will be the best ;D

3) How long do they typically last? Can you repierce easily? Is it recommended?
They can be as long-term as any other piercing or they can last a week. Just please make sure you go to an experienced piercer and if possible ask to see a portfolio of both healed AND fresh surface piercings. Make sure they know what they're on about. That means using an internally threaded titanium surface bar that's actually measured for you. You might need to go in before for an appointment where they'll figure out what jewellery is best and order it in.

4) How much do they cost?
Probably £30-£40 depending on the area and the piercer.
Where abouts do you live? Someone can probably recommend a good piercer.
Also, I strongly suggest using disc ends rather than balls, at least for the initial healing period.

Thanks so much for your answers :smile:

I live in the middle of nowhere but I'll probably go down to central London from uni to get it done.
Oops, pretty big boobs here :frown:

. What jewellery would you recommend? Cost is not an issue.
Also, what is the rule on repiercings when it comes to sternums? Yay or nay? Hopefully it won't scar too badly (I heal really well), so I'd hope to get it done again if it rejected.

sarCAzm

I don't have any answers but I think they are the most gorgeous piercings!

Thanks

. It'll be my first surface piercing, and I think its the only one I'd ever want to have. I think those of us who don't think they're "crying out for attention" or "weird" are in the minority!

Reply 4

sarCAZm

11

*Katie*

Thanks

. It'll be my first surface piercing, and I think its the only one I'd ever want to have. I think those of us who don't think they're "crying out for attention" or "weird" are in the minority!

eeek. I'm excited for you :tongue:

I'd get cleavage piercing, or back of the neck, or between the collar bones if i was gonna get a surface. I think people who don;t like them are weird and boring, so I guess its a two way street :P

Reply 5

Kate.

15

*Katie*

Thanks so much for your answers :smile:

I live in the middle of nowhere but I'll probably go down to central London from uni to get it done.
Oops, pretty big boobs here :frown:

. What jewellery would you recommend? Cost is not an issue.
Also, what is the rule on repiercings when it comes to sternums? Yay or nay? Hopefully it won't scar too badly (I heal really well), so I'd hope to get it done again if it rejected.

Thanks :smile:

. It'll be my first surface piercing, and I think its the only one I'd ever want to have. I think those of us who don't think they're "crying out for attention" or "weird" are in the minority!

Jewellery = titanium surface bar, internally threaded. The bars that are shaped like a 'staple'. Click here for a picture. Stay away from the people who use PTFE/Teflon - flexible it is, but it still puts more pressure on the piercing than a correctly sized surface bar. It works for some people, yes (before everyone attacks me saying they healed such-and-such with PTFE) but I would definitely go for the more stable/likely-to-heal option.

You might want to look into microdermals too, but again, only go to a piercer who is experienced in them. They're still a new technique so it'll be harder to find someone experienced in these rather than surface piercings, but they may be a better option for you. You can discuss that with the piercer though. Read up on microdermals here. Don't make the mistake of what some people have done though and think they're magic. They still have the chance of rejection as much as anything else, but they put less pressure on the piercing. They're generally considered more permanent though, and sometimes require a small cut to remove.

Piercing through scar tissue isn't particularly good, despite the widely-believed myth that it helps 'anchor' the piercing in the second time round. The only quote from BME I could be bothered to find basically explains it.

The whole "scar and brace" method isn't typically viable. If you have an existing scar and you pierce completely under it sometimes it could help to anchor it in. But going through most scar tissue decreases the chances of a healthy piercing. Especially with stretch mark or rejection tissue since it's a very weak type of scar tissue.

Reply 6

*Katie*

OP

1

Thanks! That was so helpful :smile:

. I can't wait to get it done. Now to find someone to do it...

Reply 7

rach [shikari]

11

Just gone mine done :tongue:

Sternum (Cleavage) Piercings

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