Piercing jewelry, Tattoos, and Piercings body modifications are increasingly popular amongst many groups of people from different ethnicities and cultures. Body piercings and tattoos are all for style and are a form of self-expression. If you already have tattoos and piercings or are planning to get them, you must know the time to choose that one design that feels right. So it becomes all the more important to find jewelry that complements your choices and makes you feel like a confident individual.
Tattoos are permanent body modifications while piercings are semi-permanent and permanent. Piercings can be chosen to adorn with jewelry and sometimes be left as they are. Tattoos are more of a permanent commitment that makes room for your future styles as well. Whereas for the piercings you can always revamp the look by changing the jewelry you wear to suit your vibe.
So how can you find jewelry that complements your tattoos and piercings and makes them look more fluid? In this blog, we will discuss everything about creating a cohesive look from your tattoos and piercings and styling jewelry that complements the same.
History of Styling Jewelry With Tattoos And Piercings
Tattoos and piercings are not a tale of today. They have been in existence since the beginning of civilizations. The history of body modifications dates back more than 5,000 years ago to ancient times. For example, when Egyptian pharaohs pierced their navels in rites of passage, Roman centurions pierced their nipples to show fearlessness and manhood, and Mayan cultures pierced their tongues as religious rituals.
Body piercings on various parts have always been a symbol of royalty and elitism, even fearlessness and courage. Some cultures also strongly believed that body piercings established a shield of protection from the evil eye.
From being considered an act of rebellion, body piercings, and tattoos are rightfully now being perceived as a form of self-affirmation, an act of reclaiming your body and adornment. This truly allows an individual to take proud ownership of their body while expressing their individuality in an authentic point-of-view. And styling them just adds more to the charm.
Types of Piercing Jewelry
There are three main body areas where you generally get a piercing. They are ear piercings, face piercings, and body piercings. Usually, the most common piercing is an ear piercing. Between the lobe and cartilage, there are countless different types of ear-piercing placements you can experiment with to create your personalized look. Experimenting with different jewelry like plugs and grouping them together on your ears can create a unique look.
Face piercings include tongue, nose, eyebrow, and lip piercings that you can opt for according to your pain tolerance levels. Remember you can always mix and match looks according to your tattoo themes and go for the one that feels genuinely authentic and unique.
On the other hand, body piercings include dermal piercing- basically anchors inserted in the skin, navel or belly-button piercings, and nipple piercings.
Knowing Your Tattoo Theme
To select jewelry for your piercings, it’s important to know the theme of your tattoo. Do you want to go with the same theme for future tattoos? Do you want to tweak the style and experiment with different types of jewelry? Think of one theme of your tattoos that feels right. To narrow it further down, there are a few varieties of themes your tattoos can fall under
- Realism
- Blackwork
- Polynesian Tribal
- Japanese Style
- Watercolor
- Fine line and Modern styles
Considerations While Getting Tattoos and Piercings One after the Other
Before thinking about getting another tattoo or getting another area of your body pierced, make sure of the following tips.
Make sure your tattoos are fully healed before getting another ink job or a body piercing. It usually takes a few weeks for it to completely heal and be able to reveal your new ink in all its glory. The tattooing process is needles sinking into your skin to deposit ink deep into layers of your skin. As a result, the healing process involves temporary non-harmful stages of redness, oozing, itching, and peeling.
Additionally, ensuring your piercings are healed is also crucial. After you get one, proper aftercare and healing are needed before you think of another piercing or tattoo. Step one is to clean your pierced area once or twice a day to steer clear of any dirt. Next, put some anti-inflammatory cream so that the skin doesn’t take it too harshly. After 6-12 weeks you are free to change and experiment with different types of jewelry in your pierced area.
Deciding the Piercing Jewelry Types and Materials
Different types of jewelry speak different styles and vibes. What’s important is what aligns with your look and gives off a perfectly cohesive look. The first step is to look for high-quality materials that make up the jewelry you are opting for. Consider surgical steel, titanium, niobium, and 14k gold which are excellent choices for new piercings due to their low risk of causing allergic reactions. Most importantly avoid cheap metals and steer clear of nickel, brass, and other cheap metals that can cause irritation and allergic reactions.
Once you’re through with the quality check of the jewelry, ensure the jewelry matches the gauge of your piercing to avoid stretching or tearing. Proper length, diameter, and girth are crucial for aesthetics and comfort.
Next, what does your personal style speak? Is it minimal, or does it speak boldness? According to your vibe, choose jewelry that goes with your overall look and reflects your style. You can also have different pieces for everyday wear and special occasions.
Bring it All Together
Last, but not the least, once you have selected your preferred jewelry as per your style, healed your piercings, and decided on a cohesive look, it’s time to bring it all together. Understand the theme of your tattoo and what it is that you’re trying to really express. There would be parts of your body where tattoos and piercings coincide. These areas will be opportunities for creativity.
Mix and match with various jewelry, see which one looks the best in those areas, and leave no room for doubt. Let your imagination run free. Create a style combining tattoos, piercings, and jewelry, preferably a cohesive one, that flows naturally. Let your style speak for itself.
Final Thoughts
Selecting the right jewelry is important for comfort, aesthetics, and proper healing. Always consult with a professional piercer or even a tattoo artist for personalized advice and follow proper maintenance practices to keep your jewelry, piercing, and body ink in optimal condition.
Remember it is not advisable to change jewelry too often. It can cause irritation and slow down the healing process. Feel free to revamp the looks when it’s completely healed.
