WHAT IS A DERMAL PIERCING?

Dermal anchors, also known as micro-dermals are relatively recent phenomenon in the body modification industry, allowing for considerably more flexibility in placement, jewellery options, faster healing time and a much lower rate of rejection and migration.  Dermal anchors/micro-dermals are a single point piercing as opposed to standard surface piercings, meaning that there is only one entry point and no exit point. 

The most time consuming part of the healing process with the traditional piercings is the exit hole, which is completely negated with the use of dermal anchors/micro-dermals.  The unique design of the type of jewellery allows the body modification artist performing the procedure to basically implant the jewellery through a single entry point done by one of two techniques, depending on the artist’s particular style.  The first technique involves using a piercing needle to create a small pocket under the skin and then inserting the jewellery with a small amount of pressure.  The second method involves using a small biopsy punch to remove a tiny piece of surface tissue and again inserting the jewellery with slight pressure.  Being a single point piercing means the healing time is drastically reduced as there is only one very small hole to heal, cutting the average overall healing period to the approximately four weeks.  Another benefit to this process is that it allows a much wider range of placement options, from facial, neck, chest, hips, wrist, etc.  There is virtually no part of the body where these piercings are not viable.  Another huge advantage with dermal anchors/micro-dermals is the vast range of jewellery options available after they have healed.  With traditional surface piercings you are very limited to jewellery, where as with these there is an enormous range depending on individual taste and style.  There is everything from flat disks, flat jewels, balls, jewelled balls, spikes, stars, bezel set jewels all available in silver, black, gold as well as every other colour on top of every coloured jewel imaginable.  The nature of single piercings also makes the aftercare process considerably less complicated then with traditional piercings.  A small amount of saline solution or a sea salt and warm water solution, (¼ – ½ teaspoon sea salt to one cup of warm water) applied to a cotton bud, gently wipe the area around the piercing once or twice a day, and anytime you are having a shower, at the very end of the shower, let hot water rinse the piercing thoroughly to remove any products, or dried organic matter.  Always be sure to wash your hands thoroughly before cleaning any piercing.  Also with dermal anchors/micro-dermals do try to be aware of the piercing in regards to clothing/towels/etc to try to avoid snagging jewellery during the initial few weeks of healing.