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HC Lasell Member Gianna’s Ranking of Piercings Based on the Aesthetic, Safety, and Pain

The opinions expressed in this article are the writer’s own and do not reflect the views of Her Campus.
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Lasell chapter.

Here are some of the best and worst piercings in terms of aesthetics, safety, and pain as someone who’s very pierced (This is not a professional opinion, strictly personal!).

ANY PIERCING IS PRONE TO REJECTION AND INFECTION, ESPECIALLY ONES DEPENDENT ON ANATOMY. MAKE SURE YOU DO INTENSIVE RESEARCH BEFORE GOING TO YOUR LOCAL PIERCING SHOP.

Here’s a list of the safest and least painful piercings from a general standpoint:

  1. Ear piercings
  2. Facial piercings
  3. Body piercings

*Ratings for pain are on a scale of 1 (not painful at all) to 10 (need to scream or cry).

*Ratings for safety are on a scale of 1 (safest) to 10 (high risk – rejection, infection, damage).

*Ratings for aesthetics are on a scale of 1 (best looking) to 10 (I wouldn’t get it).

Ear Piercings:

  1. Lobe

  Pain – 1/10

  Safety – 1/10

Easy area for irritation and tugging.

  Aesthetic – 1/10

Good look for anyone.

  1. Upper Lobe

  Pain – 1/10

  Safety – 1/10

Easy area for irritation and tugging.

  Aesthetic – 1/10

Good look for anyone.

  1. Conch

  Pain – 4/10

  Safety – 2/10

Dependent on anatomy.

  Aesthetic – 1/10

Good look for anyone.

  1. Tragus

  Pain – 5/10

  Safety – 2/10

Dependent on anatomy and easy area for irritation. 

  Aesthetic – 2

Good look for anyone but depends on anatomy. 

  1. Helix(es)

  Pain – 4/10

  Safety – 3/10

Dependent on anatomy and easy area for irritation and keloids.

  Aesthetic – 2/10

Good look for anyone but depends on anatomy.

  1. Daith

  Pain – 3/10

  Safety – 4/10

Dependent on anatomy and easy area for infection and rejection.

  Aesthetic – 2/10

Good look for anyone but depends on anatomy.

  1. Anti-tragus

  Pain – 6/10

  Safety – 2/10

Dependent on anatomy and easy area for irritation.

  Aesthetic – 3/10

Good look for those who have the right anatomy.

  1. Rook

  Pain – 7/10

  Safety – 3/10

Dependent on anatomy and easy area for irritation, infection, and rejection.

  Aesthetic – 2/10

Good look for anyone but depends on anatomy.

  1. Industrial

  Pain – 8/10

  Safety – 6/10

Dependent on anatomy and easy area for irritation, infection, rejection, and keloids.

  Aesthetic – 2/10

Good look for those who have the right anatomy.

Facial Piercings:

  1. Septum

  Pain – 2/10

  Safety – 2/10 

Dependent on anatomy.

  Aesthetic – 2/10

Good look for those who have the right anatomy and nose shape.

  1. Smiley

  Pain – 1/10

  Safety – 3/10

The area that gets pierced is highly susceptible to ripping.

  Aesthetic – 3/10

Good look for those who have the right anatomy.

  1. Nose

  Pain – 3/10

  Safety – 3/10

Dependent on anatomy and easy area for irritation and keloids.

  Aesthetic – 2/10

Good look for those who have the right anatomy and nose shape.

  1. Vertical Labret

  Pain – 3/10

  Safety – 3/10

Dependent on anatomy and easy area for rejection.

  Aesthetic – 2/10

Good look for those who have the right anatomy and lip shape, space, and thickness.

  1. Labret(s)

  Pain – 4/10

  Safety – 2/10

Easy area for irritation.

  Aesthetic – 4/10

Good look for anyone.

  1. Medusa

  Pain – 4/10

  Safety – 2/10

  Aesthetic – 4/10

Good look for anyone.

  1. Tongue (vertical)

  Pain – 2/10

  Safety – 7/10

Dependent on anatomy and an easy area for irritation and rejection.

  Aesthetic – 2/10

Good look for anyone but depends on anatomy.

  1. Eyebrow

  Pain – 3/10

  Safety – 4/10

Easy area for irritation and rejection.

  Aesthetic – 5/10

Good look for those who have the right eyebrow shape and thickness.

  1. Bridge

  Pain – 4/10

  Safety – 4/10

Dependent on anatomy and an easy area for irritation and rejection.

  Aesthetic – 5/10

Good look for those who have the right anatomy.

  1. Dahlias

  Pain – 4/10

  Safety – 5/10

Easy area for irritation and infection.

  Aesthetic – 5/10

Good look for anyone.

  1. Dimples

  Pain – 5/10

  Safety – 6/10

Easy area for irritation and infection.

  Aesthetic – 5/10

Good look for anyone.

  1. Tongue (snake eyes)

  Pain – 7/10

  Safety – 10/10

Dependent on anatomy, HIGHLY SUSCEPTIBLE TO REJECTION, IRRITATION, AND DAMAGE. 

  Aesthetic – 5/10

Good look but it’s a dangerous piercing.

  1. Tongue (venom)

  Pain – 7/10

  Safety – 10/10

Dependent on anatomy, HIGHLY SUSCEPTIBLE TO REJECTION, IRRITATION, AND DAMAGE.

  Aesthetic – 7/10

Good look but it’s a dangerous piercing. 

Body Piercings:

  1. Navel 

  Pain – 3/10

  Safety – 3/10

Dependent on anatomy and an easy area for irritation, infection, and rejection. 

  Aesthetic – 1/10

Good look for anyone but dependent on anatomy. 

  1. Nipples

  Pain – 5/10

  Safety – 3/10

Dependent on anatomy and easy area for irritation, infection, rejection, and possible damage. 

  Aesthetic – 2/10

Good look for anyone but dependent on anatomy. 

  1. Genitalia

  Pain – 5 to 10/10

  Safety – 9/10

Dependent on anatomy and easy area for irritation, infection, rejection, and possible damage. 

  Aesthetic – 8/10 

Interesting choice but dependent on anatomy. 

Remember, these are just my opinions! Do your research before getting any piercings and make sure the shop that you’re going to is clean and reputable. You don’t wanna mess around when it comes to piercing your body!

She/they LGBTQ+ Lasell '26 Graphic Design Major