Different Types of Body Piercings

Curious about the different types of body piercings and which jewelry actually works for each one? You’re in the right place. Kings Body Jewelry is all about safe, stylish body modification and giving you the gear to back it up, from piercing jewelry to piercing aftercare. Use this guide to explore popular piercing placements, common jewelry styles, and how to choose pieces that fit your look and your body.

When you’re ready to upgrade your setup, browse our full range of high quality piercing jewelry and hit us with any questions.

How Body Piercings Work: Gauges, Materials, and Styles

Before we break down specific placements, let’s talk basics.

Gauge sizes
Gauge is the thickness of the jewelry. Smaller numbers = thicker jewelry. You’ll see sizes like:

• 20g–18g: common for nostrils
• 16g–14g: popular for cartilage, lips, brows, and navels
• 8g–00g and beyond: common for stretched lobes

If you’re stretching, our ear gauge size guide and ear stretching kits walk you through sizing safely.

Materials
Kings Body Jewelry focuses on materials body mod fans actually want:

• Surgical stainless steel body jewelry
• Titanium body jewelry
• Glass, stone, wood, silicone, acrylic, horn/bone (especially in plugs and tunnels)

Jewelry styles Across different types of body piercings, you’ll see:

• Straight and curved barbells
• Captive rings / captives
• Clickers and segment rings
• Tunnels, plugs, and weights

Choose the style your piercer recommends for healing, then switch it up later once things are fully healed.

Ear Piercings: From Classic Lobes to Cartilage Setups

Ear piercings are where a lot of people start, and where a lot of serious collections live.

Lobe Piercings

Standard lobe piercings are usually in the 20g–16g range. Once healed, you can wear studs, hoops, or start stretching.

If you’re into stretched lobes:

• Gauges for ears come in tons of sizes, materials, and designs.
• Many clients work their way up to larger sizes like 00 gauged ears.
• You can use ear stretching kits and tapers for controlled, gradual stretching.

Cartilage & Helix Piercings

Cartilage covers the upper and outer parts of the ear. Common placements include:

• Helix (outer upper rim)
• Forward helix (front rim near your face)
• Tragus (small flap in front of the canal)
• Rook, daith, and conch

Typical jewelry:

• 16g studs and hoops
• 16 gauge helix piercing jewelry
• Helix hoops
• Tragus jewelry
• Forward helix studs

For industrial piercings (a bar running through two cartilage points), straight barbells are the standard.

Nose and Septum Piercings

Nostril Piercings

Nostril piercings are one of the most popular facial piercings.

Common sizes and jewelry:

• 20g, 18g, or 16 gauge nose piercing
• Studs, screws, and nostril studs
• Hoops such as an 18 gauge nose hoop or 20ga nose ring
• A range of nose rings to swap in once healed

Septum Piercings

Septum piercings go through the thin tissue between the nostrils.

Jewelry options include:

• Septum clickers and septum rings
• Size ranges from dainty to bold (for example, a 16 gauge septum ring or a heavier 12g septum)
• Septum retainers if you need a low‑profile look

If you’re managing healing or irritation, septum piercing aftercare and other piercing aftercare products can help you keep things clean.

Eyebrow, Lip, and Oral Piercings

Eyebrow Piercings

Eyebrow piercings are usually 16g and use:

• 16 gauge eyebrow piercing jewelry
• Curved bars for a snug, anatomical fit

Lip & Labret‑Style Piercings

Lip piercings cover a whole family of placements: labret (centered under the lip), side labret, Monroe, Medusa/philtrum, and vertical labret.

Common jewelry:

• Labret posts and flat‑back studs
• Rings or captive bead rings in some placements

Kings Body Jewelry carries a wide range of straight and curved barbells and other components you can use in different lip and labret setups once your piercer clears you to swap jewelry.

Tongue & Oral Piercings

Tongue piercings typically use straight barbells in 14g–12g, with flat disks or balls on each end. Flexible and metal barbells both show up here; some clients prefer options like PTFE‑style shafts for comfort against teeth.

Navel and Nipple Piercings

Navel (Belly Button) Piercings

Navel piercings usually sit at 14g and use curved barbells or decorative belly rings.

• A classic choice is a 14 gauge belly button ring.
• For pregnancy, flexible PTFE barbells help the piercing stay comfortable as your body changes.
• Keeping a new navel piercing clean is key, navel piercing aftercare products like sterile saline for piercings and saline sprays for piercings can support your routine.

Nipple Piercings

Nipple piercings are often 14g and can be horizontal or vertical.

Typical jewelry:

• Straight barbells
• Decorative styles of 14 gauge nipple piercing jewelry

As with any piercing that deals with a lot of friction or movement, consistent cleaning with a quality piercing cleaning solution or wound wash for piercings is crucial.

Stretching as Its Own Body Modification

Stretching isn’t just a type of piercing, it’s an ongoing modification.

If you’re stretching lobes or other piercings:

• Start with the right tapers or ear stretching kits.
• Move up a size slowly to avoid blowouts and tears.
• Once you’re at your goal size, swap into plugs and tunnels in materials you love, whether that’s glass, stone, wood, silicone, or steel.

For those who live at larger sizes (including 00 gauged ears), Kings Body Jewelry offers a wide range of wearable‑area options so you can match your lobe thickness comfortably.

Aftercare Across Different Types of Body Piercings

Whatever piercing you’re dealing with, nostril, septum, helix, lip, navel, nipple, or stretched lobes, aftercare matters.

You’ll commonly see:

• Sterile saline wound wash for piercings
• Antimicrobial soap for piercings when recommended
• Targeted options for bumps, like piercing bump treatment

Kings Body Jewelry carries multiple piercing aftercare products so you can pick what fits your routine. Always follow your professional piercer’s advice for cleaning frequency and product use.

Different Types of Body Piercings in Bowling Green, KY and Beyond

Kings Body Jewelry runs a serious online operation, but we’re also rooted in a real place:

Kings Body Jewelry
1733 Campus Plaza STE3
Bowling Green, KY 42101
Website: https://kingsbodyjewelry.com
Email: contact@kingsbodyjewelry.com
Phone: (270) 599-1001

Whether you’re in Bowling Green checking out different types of body piercings in person with a local piercer, or shopping online from across the U.S., we’re here to supply the jewelry, stretching tools, and aftercare to support your mods.

FAQs About Different Types of Body Piercings

What are the most common types of body piercings?

Some of the most common include ear lobes, helix and other cartilage piercings, nostril and septum, eyebrow, lip and labret‑style piercings, tongue, navel, and nipple piercings. Many of these can be customized with rings, studs, barbells, or clickers once they’re fully healed.

Which piercings are best for beginners in Bowling Green, KY?

If you’re new to body modification in Bowling Green, KY, a lot of people start with standard lobe piercings, nostril piercings, and simple helix piercings. These tend to be straightforward to heal with basic piercing aftercare and give you tons of jewelry options later.

What jewelry should I use for a 16 gauge piercing?

A 16g piercing is common for cartilage, brows, and some lip placements. You can choose from 16 gauge piercing jewelry like hoops, studs, and barbells. For specific placements, check collections such as 16 gauge ear options, 16 gauge eyebrow piercing jewelry, or 16 gauge helix piercing jewelry.

How do I clean different types of body piercings safely?

Most piercers recommend gentle, regular cleaning with a sterile saline or wound wash. You can look at sterile saline for piercings, saline sprays for piercings, and piercing cleaning solution options. Follow your piercer’s exact instructions, and avoid harsh chemicals or over‑cleaning.

What’s the best jewelry material for new piercings?

Many piercers recommend implant‑grade metals like titanium or high‑quality stainless steel. At Kings Body Jewelry, you’ll find titanium body jewelry and surgical stainless steel body jewelry across barbells, rings, and more. Once healed, a lot of people experiment with glass, stone, wood, silicone, and other materials, especially in plugs and tunnels.

Can I stretch any piercing, or is it just for ears?

Ears (especially lobes) are the most common and forgiving for stretching, which is why you see so many gauges for ears and stretching kits. Some other piercings can be stretched under professional guidance, but not all are good candidates. Always talk to an experienced piercer before trying to stretch anything beyond your lobes.

What if I get a bump on a piercing while it’s healing in Kentucky’s climate?

Climate doesn’t usually make or break healing, but irritation, friction, and improper cleaning can. If you notice a bump, contact your piercer and consider gentle products like piercing bump treatment and saline wound wash for piercings, if your piercer approves.

Do I need different aftercare for septum or navel piercings?

Placement definitely affects your routine. Septum piercings may benefit from specific septum piercing aftercare tips from your piercer, while belly piercings deal with waistbands, sweat, and movement, so belly button piercing aftercare and navel piercing aftercare are key. In both cases, gentle saline products and hands‑off healing go a long way.

Where can I buy jewelry for different types of body piercings in Bowling Green, KY?

You can shop online anytime at https://kingsbodyjewelry.com for a wide range of high quality body jewelry, including barbells, rings, plugs and tunnels, captive rings, and more. Orders ship from our location at 1733 Campus Plaza STE3, Bowling Green, KY 42101.

Ready to Level Up Your Look?

Whether you’re planning your first lobe piercing or curating a full‑on ear, face, and body setup, understanding the different types of body piercings helps you choose the right jewelry and aftercare from day one. Explore our full range of piercing jewelry and gear up for your next modification.