Body piercings are just an accessory for some people — little different from a bracelet or a watch.
But for others — they are a reflection of their personality, a way to mark a milestone, or a permanent reminder of a spontaneous decision
For junior Barbara Vasilveya, her ear piercings hold personal meaning.
With three lobe piercings on each ear and a conch piercing — an upper ear cartilage piercing — on her right ear, Vasilveya’s piercing journey represent careful planning
“It all started in middle school,” she said. “I thought piercings were really cool, so every year or so, I’d add a new one. It’s like a little collection — almost like a family.”
Vasilveya’s latest addition — a conch piercing — is her favorite, because it is new and exciting. She got it a few months ago, and the area is still healing. Conch piercings typically take 6-12 months to heal, but once it is ready, she is excited to swap the stud for a ring.
For junior Rohan Gopal, getting his piercing was more of a spontaneous decision, but one that was influenced by his family. His mom has a bunch of piercings, so he wanted to get one as well for fun. He was also influenced by a friend who was also planning on getting a piercing.
Unlike Vasilveya’s multiple piercings, Gopal opted for a single piercing in his left ear that he believed would suit him better.
“I didn’t really think too much about it,” he said. “It was just a random choice.”
The actual piercing process involved minimal pain for Gopal — the piercing just felt like a small pinch. Now, he wears multiple types of earrings in his left ear, choosing to switch it up every once in a while. The maintenance process, however, is not easy.
“Cleaning it is kind of gross,” Vasilveya said. “I use saline wash every night to disinfect it and pick out any dried blood or buildup. If you don’t stay on top of it, it can get dangerous — like the piercing might start closing up. It’s a lot of work, but it’s worth it.”
When it comes to choosing piercings, Vasilyeva believes individuality is key. Although she wanted an industrial piercing — two holes connected by a single barbell running diagonally across the upper ear cartilage — for a couple years, her ears were too folded, so it wasn’t possible. Instead, she got a conch piercing, because there was more space for it on her ear.
Vasilveya’s future plans include evening out her piercings — she has four on her right ear and three on her left — and possibly adding a helix (a piercing made to the upper cartilage of the ear) to her collection.
“I want to keep going and try different styles,” Vasilveya said. “Each piercing feels like a little milestone.”
Gopal, on the other hand, plans to stick with the piercings he currently has. He frequently switches out what earring he wears, but doesn’t plan on getting more piercings in the future, preferring to keep it simple.
The popularity of body piercings continues to rise, with the global body piercing jewelry market projected to grow from $8.15 billion in 2024 to $10.89 billion by 2031, reflecting a 6.14% annual growth rate. This growth indicates a broader acceptance and interest in body art as a form of self-expression.
For those considering their first piercing or their next, Vasilveya recommends making decisions based on personal taste.
“Think about what fits your ear and your style. It’s such a personal thing, so make sure it’s something you’ll love and want to take care of,” she said.
