Counting the number of body piercings can seem like a straightforward task, but the process often leads to confusion due to the variety of modern body modifications. People frequently search for a definitive method, whether for personal tracking or satisfying their own curiosity. Establishing a clear, consistent counting method is necessary to accurately represent the extent of one’s body modification journey.
The Core Principle: Counting the Holes
The fundamental rule for accurately counting piercings is to tally the number of holes created in the body, not the number of jewelry pieces currently worn. This method is the universal standard used for tracking body modifications because it focuses on the physical alteration made to the tissue. Each time a needle passes through the skin to create a channel, that action constitutes one piercing, regardless of the jewelry used. For example, a standard pair of earlobe piercings represents four separate holes, meaning they count as four individual piercings. This principle applies across all body parts, ensuring a consistent and objective count.
Addressing Ambiguities: What to Include in the Total
A common point of confusion arises when deciding whether to include piercings that are no longer actively in use. Piercings that have been “retired” or allowed to heal are generally counted if the hole remains visible or palpable, representing a permanent change to the body. This approach allows for a “lifetime count” that reflects the full history of modifications. Piercings that are fully healed but currently jewelry-less should still be included in the total if the channel remains open and viable for reinsertion.
For stretched earlobes, the count remains one piercing per lobe, regardless of the gauge size. The process of stretching an existing hole does not create a new piercing, so the count is not increased.
Dermal anchors present a unique counting scenario because they do not follow the traditional entry-and-exit hole model. A dermal anchor is a single-point modification where the jewelry base is inserted beneath the skin, and it is counted as one piercing. This single-point method represents one distinct modification event.
Complex Piercing Types and Their Count
Multi-Point Piercings
Certain multi-point piercings require specific counting rules because they involve a single piece of jewelry spanning multiple entry and exit points. An industrial piercing, which connects two separate cartilage holes with a single straight barbell, is counted as two piercings. The procedure involves creating two distinct channels through the tissue, which aligns with the core principle of counting each hole. Similarly, an orbital piercing, where a ring connects two adjacent holes in the same area, also counts as two piercings. The jewelry may be one piece, but the body was pierced twice to create the two separate entry and exit points.
Surface Piercings and Bars
When multiple piercings are placed close together, such as stacked lobes or a series of helix piercings, the count is determined by the number of individual holes. Each separate puncture, even if only a few millimeters apart, is counted as one piercing. A surface bar, which is a staple-shaped piece of jewelry that creates a channel beneath the skin with two visible ends, is generally counted as one piercing. This modification is considered a single, continuous channel created in one procedure, despite having two entry points.