Corsetry has been practiced for ages, but corset piercing has a much more contemporary origin. It came into fashion alongside the growth of the body-piercing industry in the late 1990s. Today, corset piercing is closely linked with aesthetics, particularly fetish aesthetics, and most wearers are women.

Women often wear corsets together with corset piercings. Corset piercing is a form of body modification that is usually temporary and can look striking. However, like any skin piercing, it is difficult to keep clean, which means it can lead to infection and may leave scars. Read on to understand the practice before you decide whether it is right for you.

What Is Corset Piercing?

Corset piercing is a form of body piercing made up of numerous surface piercings arranged in one, two, or more rows. The rows are usually bilaterally symmetrical, or the piercings follow the length of the chosen area with vertical spacing between them. Most designs use left and right punctures that resemble a corset laced against the body.

Some designs are applied in a circular shape or a spider-web pattern. Chain, lace, or ribbon is then threaded through the piercings in a pattern similar to the laced corsets women have worn throughout history.

Corset piercing can be done on any large surface of skin, but it is most commonly placed on:

• The back (the most popular location)
• The sides of the torso
• The legs
• The arms
• The neck

Once the wounds have healed, the piercings can be laced and tightened with straps. The creative possibilities are a big part of the appeal. Occasionally, a corset piercing is even carried out from one body part to another, such as between the thighs to join the two legs. In general, this decoration can be placed almost anywhere the skin is loose enough.

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Two Main Types of Corset Piercing

Because of the difficulty and risks involved in permanently healing a single surface piercing, most people choose temporary corset piercings.

1. Temporary Corset Piercing

Temporary corset piercings are often done for a photoshoot, a fetish event, or to promote a piercer’s business for advertising or portfolio photography. They are also used for BDSM activity.

For temporary piercings, women lace them with rope, ribbon, or chain. Bell-closure rings are the type of jewelry typically worn. When the piercing is done specifically for an event or photoshoot, the piercer may use hypodermic needles instead of jewelry, and these needles are removed as soon as the event is over.

Temporary corset piercings last only a short time, usually one to two weeks, even if the jewelry is left in after the event. They often use a Ball Closure Ring, which puts stress on the skin and leads to a rejected piercing that is then removed within a week or two. This can be a good choice for a special occasion.

2. Permanent Corset Piercing

Although it is not common, clients sometimes request a permanent corset piercing, and it is possible. Different forms of jewelry are used for a lasting result. Because of the many risks and the difficulty of healing a permanent surface piercing, temporary versions are generally preferred.

A good rule of thumb for permanent corset piercing is to avoid CBR jewelry. CBRs create pressure on the skin as the connecting ribbons pull and shift the rings, which slows healing and can cause the rings to migrate or be rejected.

For permanent corset piercing, a different type of jewelry is used, known as a doorknocker or slave barbell. A slave barbell has a ring attached to one or both ball ends, so the stress falls on the barbell rather than on the skin. This design lowers the chance of rejection and improves the odds of healing and staying in place.

Permanent corset piercings are also done successfully with surface bars. Tygon tubing and Teflon have a slightly lower success rate than surface bars, but both are flexible and move with the body. Keep these points in mind for a permanent corset piercing used for lacing:

• Do not apply laces until the initial healing phase is over.
• Lacing too early can cause damage from the tension, which raises the risk of migration or total rejection.
• Avoid wearing the laces (thongs) at all times during healing.

Corset Piercing on Different Body Parts

1. Chest Corset Piercing

You can use colorful ribbons to create a striking look with a bilaterally symmetrical chest corset piercing. Take extra care with this area, however, as it is hard to keep clean.

2. Lower Back Corset Piercing

Lower-back corset piercings are placed in two rows that resemble a laced corset when threaded together. This option is popular with people who want to stand out from the crowd.

3. Leg Corset Piercing

Several piercings are placed on the back or front of the leg to create a unique fashion statement, which works especially well for people who wear shorts or short skirts. This bold, eye-catching piercing can also be done on the feet.

4. Side Corset Piercing

One or both sides of the torso can be used for a corset piercing. This appeals to those looking for an unusual, dramatic body-art form.

5. Neck Corset Piercing

A piercing can be placed on almost any part of the neck, including the nape. It is not as dramatic as a back piercing, but it is still worth considering.

6. Arm Corset Piercing

Multiple perforations are made on either the wrist or the shoulder. This is one of the less eye-catching placements.

Some people also have a corset piercing placed directly along the ribs. It can be painful to imagine, but paired with a tattoo it can make a striking combination.

Corset Piercing Pain & Procedure

This is a complicated piercing process that many piercing salons avoid, so it is often performed at venues such as tattoo shops. It is essential to find a licensed piercing studio and have the work done by qualified professionals.

Before the procedure begins, decide how many corset piercings you want. The artist will then:

• Thoroughly clean the area with a cleanser of their choice and mark out the placement.
• Pierce by hand in most cases, meaning no clamps are used.
• Use sterilized hollow needles on the marked locations after cleaning the skin with an antibacterial solution.

You will need a high pain threshold if you want to go through with a corset piercing. Because it is a surface piercing with many perforations, the process can cause significant pain, redness, bruising, and swelling, no matter where on the body it is placed.

Corset Piercing Aftercare

Corset piercings usually leave some scar tissue. Following proper procedures and aftercare, even for just a few days, may help limit the number of visible scars. Like other body piercings, a corset piercing needs time to heal, so follow the full aftercare instructions provided by your piercing artist.

You may feel a fair amount of related pain and itching during this period. Because the piercing is ultimately finished by lacing, lacing is not recommended until the initial healing period has passed. Using laces too soon can create excessive tension and raise the chance of the holes shifting or being rejected.

General aftercare tips include:

• Consider taking multivitamins for 2-3 weeks before getting pierced.
• Eat healthy diets to support the skin as the piercing sites heal.
• About two to three hours after the piercing, the ointment that was applied dries up. At that point, wash your hands with antibiotic soap and clean the piercing site with a sea-salt soak. Reapply the cream every 3-4 hours that day and for the next 20-30 days, keeping the area very clean. Many people find that soaking in a saline solution is a gentle way to care for the area, as it can help reduce irritation and itching and supports healing. Afterward, rinse the pierced area well with water.
• Avoid harsh anti-bacterial soaps on the piercings. They can be too aggressive and may damage skin cells rather than help them heal. These soaps are fine for general hygiene but not ideal for fresh piercing sites.
• Avoid alcohol-based products, as they can react harshly with a fresh piercing.
• Another aftercare option is a professional aftercare solution. While the piercing is healing, it is generally suggested to apply the cleansing solution every three to five hours. Always wash your hands before touching any piercing. The healing stage typically takes around 12-16 weeks.
• Avoid bathing in dirty water, and do not remove the piercing while it is still healing. Try not to get corset piercings during the summer, when the risk of infection and irritation is higher.

If you have any questions or notice signs of a problem, contact your piercing artist and a qualified health professional as soon as possible for advice. The guidance here is general information only and is not a substitute for professional medical care.

Conclusion

Corset piercings are unlikely to ever become mainstream; they remain a contemporary, niche choice, which is part of what makes them unique and fascinating. Whether you choose a permanent or temporary piercing, make sure your piercer is highly skilled and certified. We recommend this practice only for people with a high pain threshold.

During the healing phase, a corset piercing needs constant care to avoid damage from clothing, hair, blankets, exercise, bedding, and more. Keep in mind that this type of piercing may leave a permanent scar.

Body piercing is typically carried out in tattoo shops, and licensing requirements vary by location. Some regions require little training, while others require none at all, but at minimum a blood-borne pathogen training course is usually needed to apply for a permit. Cross-contamination of blood-borne pathogens is no joke, and you deserve an artist who values your health as much as you do.