Summary: A finger piercing looks really beautiful, but nobody can promise you how long it will stay. In this blog we tell you honestly what to expect and how to look after it as well as possible.
What is a finger piercing, exactly?
You may have spotted them on Instagram: two small, flat tops sitting on top of a finger. That is a surface piercing. A small bar runs under the skin, and on the outside you only see the two tops. It is subtle, but it catches the eye straight away.
We get asked about it more and more, and we recently did another one in the studio. The photo above shows how it looks.
The honest story
We think it is important that you know what you are getting into. How long a finger piercing stays is hard to predict. Just think about everything you do with your hands all day: typing, cooking, carrying shopping, opening doors. Your finger is always moving, and it bumps into things all the time.
That is why there is a high chance your body will eventually reject the jewellery or that it will start to migrate. For some people that happens fairly quickly, for others it stays for a long time. Every body simply reacts differently. So see it as jewellery for a while, rather than something for life.
What does research say?
This is not just our own experience. A review article for family physicians lists foreign body rejection as one of the possible complications of body piercing (Complications of body piercing, PubMed).
Medical News Today, a medically reviewed website, is even clearer: surface piercings are the type most commonly rejected, because it is easier for the body to push jewellery out of a small amount of skin (Piercing rejection, Medical News Today).
We have not found any hard percentages for finger piercings, so we are not quoting any.
Surface or dermal?
A surface piercing has an entry and an exit point. A dermal has just one point, with a small anchor under the skin. Not sure which suits you better? Just ask us in the studio.
How to look after your finger piercing
Good aftercare gives your piercing the best chance. Clean it with a sterile saline solution, like our Aphraheals sea salt spray. That is really all you need. Wear gloves when you are cleaning or doing the dishes, because cleaning products are not kind to a fresh piercing.
Try not to snag it on your sweater, your bag, your hair or a towel. Do you wear rings? Then it is better to take them off for a while, because a ring right next to the piercing can rub. And as hard as it is: try not to touch it or twist it.
As a guideline, most piercings take around 6 months to heal, but in the end your body sets the pace. If you are unsure about anything, just ask us.
Getting a finger piercing in Amsterdam
You will find us at Reguliersbreestraat 46, close to Rembrandtplein. We have been at the same spot since 2004, and we have been piercing since 1998. With over 2,000 reviews, we know what we are talking about.
When you come in, we first look together at your finger, your skin and what you do with your hands every day. Then we give you honest advice, even if that advice is that another spot might work better.
Want a piercing like this too? Book your appointment here.
Frequently asked questions
Does a finger piercing hurt?
Everyone feels pain differently, but it is done quickly and most people find it very manageable.
Will a finger piercing stay forever?
Probably not. With all the movement and knocks, the chance of rejection is high. So enjoy it while it lasts.
How long does healing take?
As a guideline, most piercings take around 6 months, but it differs from person to person.
Can I keep wearing my rings?
Better not while the piercing heals, because rings can rub against it.
My piercing seems to be moving. What now?
Pop into the studio. We will take a look and honestly tell you whether the jewellery should come out.
Do I need an appointment?
Yes, you can book your surface or dermal piercing via our booking page. See you at Reguliersbreestraat 46.