How Much Do Body Piercings Cost?
Last Updated on January 15, 2024
Written by CPA Alec Pow | Content Reviewed by CFA Alexander Popinker
Thinking of getting a new piercing? Wondering what that shiny new nose stud or navel ring will set you back? Body piercings can be a fun and creative way to express yourself, but like all body modifications, they come at a price.
In this article, we’ll break down the average costs of popular piercings so you know what to budget for your next piercing adventure.
First up, let’s look at ear piercings. These are often the first piercings people get and can range quite a bit in price. A standard earlobe piercing at a piercing shop will typically cost $25-$50 per ear.
This includes the price of the piercing service and basic starter jewelry (usually a sterilized stud or small hoop). More complex ear piercings like forward helix (upper ear cartilage), tragus, rook, or daith piercings cost $30-$70 per piercing.
Keep in mind that the jewelry you choose for these upper ear piercings will add to the base price. Fancier metals like gold, titanium, or gemstones can quickly drive up the total price.
How Much Do Body Piercings Cost?
As a general rule, body piercings cost anywhere between $25 and $100, depending on the area being pierced, the piercer you’re working with, and other factors. Let’s take a closer look at typical price ranges for some of the most popular piercing locations.
Ear Piercings
Earlobes – The lobe is relatively low-pain, quick, and easy to heal. Standard piercing fees are $25-$50 per ear.
Cartilage – Expect to pay $40-$70 for upper ear cartilage piercings like a helix, tragus, or conch piercing. Jewelry is extra.
Industrial – This dramatic ear bar crosses over two parts of the ear. Price is usually $50-$80 plus jewelry cost.
Facial Piercings
Eyebrow – A classic facial piercing, eyebrows cost $30-$60 depending on jewelry.
Nose Piercing – One nostril piercing runs $30-$60. Ask about discounts if you want both sides done.
Septum Piercing – This piercing through the nasal septum costs $30-$80 plus jewelry.
Lip/Labret – Lip piercings run $40-$60, with add-ons like snakebites costing more.
Nipple & Navel Piercings
Nipple Piercings – Piercing each nipple separately costs $50-$100 per side. Allow 6-9 months of healing before doing the other side.
Navel – Belly button piercings run $50-$100 per side, again done separately with months of healing between.
Genital Piercings
Male – Popular male genital piercings like Prince Albert, Apadravya, Ampallang, and Frenum run $80-$120 including basic jewelry.
Female – The Christina, Triangle, Fourchette, and hood piercings for women cost $100-$250.
Ear Stretching
Ear lobe stretching is done in gradual stages by inserting ever-larger gauge plugs. Typical shop rates are $30-$50 per stretching session. Include the cost of new plugs or tunnels in your budget.
According to FreshTrends.com, the price of body piercings ranges from $30 on the lower end to $75 on the upper end. For example, belly button piercings can cost between $35 – $90, while industrial piercing prices are typically $45 – $80.
Bustle.com notes that at Studs, ear piercings are $35 for one and $50 for two, while piercing-specific jewelry can range from $30 to $375. For facial piercings like eyebrow rings and lip piercings, the average cost is between $30-60.
RadaTatTattooAZ.com writes prices for various piercings are listed, such as ear lobes for $50, nostril, bridge, helix, navel, eyebrow, lip, medusa, monroe, and labret for $25, and tongue for $50.
According to MedusaBodyPiercing.com, prices for different piercings are provided, including tongue, snake eyes, cheek, lip, monroe, medusa, snake bites, ear lobe, cartilage, conch, daith, rook, tragus piercing, anti-tragus, industrial, orbital, navel, lower navel, nipple, and surface piercings, with costs ranging from $40 to $85 per piercing.
What Factors Determine Piercing Cost?
Several things influence the price of a piercing, including:
- Body part – Areas with dense nerve endings or thin tissue (like genitals, lips, nose) will hurt more and require greater skill.
- Shop’s overhead – More professional parlors have higher sterilization, rent, insurance and staffing costs.
- Experience of piercer – Master piercers with years of training can command higher prices.
- Number of piercings – Some shops offer package discount rates if you get multiple piercings in one session.
- Jewelry quality – Gold, gemstones and ornate designs are pricier than basic steel/titanium starter body jewelry.
Reputable piercers won’t compromise on cleanliness to offer rock-bottom prices. Be wary of deals that seem too good to be true. Places cutting corners on sterilization put you at risk for infection. It’s worth paying fair market prices for an experienced, licensed piercer using proper sanitation practices.
What’s Included in Piercing Prices?
Standard piercing fees include:
- New, sterilized needle
- Piercing setup and procedure
- Basic starter jewelry
- Aftercare instructions
- Any follow-up appointments to check healing
Keep these pointers in mind when budgeting for body piercings:
- Shop around for reasonable rates, but don’t sacrifice safety or hygiene.
- Factor in a tip for your piercer – 15-20% is standard.
- Quality jewelry suitable for new piercings often costs extra.
- Expect to pay more for intricate or multiple piercings requiring greater skill.
- Genital and nipple/navel pairs have higher service fees.
- Join piercing shop loyalty programs for discounts on jewelry or future piercings.
While body piercing costs can add up quickly, don’t forget you’re paying for an experienced professional using sterile procedure and quality jewelry to modify your body in a (mostly!) painless way. For most piercings, the initial investment in a skilled piercer and proper aftercare all but guarantees you’ll love your new look for years to come.
What should you do after piercing?
- Wash your hands before any contact with the piercing.
- No need to rotate the jewelry, except for the moment when you apply the treatment.
- Leave the jewelry in its original shape until total healing. Check twice a day, with your hands clean, if the balls are well screwed.
What should you avoid?
- Do not use alcohol, oxygenated water, or Betadine, because it dries the skin hindering the healing.
- Do not apply unguents containing Bacitracin, Neosporin, or antibiotic unguent, because they block the wound oxygenation and form a sticky residue which can cause complications, that are not in the benefit of the piercing healing.
- Do not wash excessively, do not use too many products, choose just one.
- Avoid oral contact, bumps, and contact with other people’s fluids.
- Do not use bandages and plaster because it stops the oxygenation and causes irritation.
- Avoid sleeping on the piercing during healing.
- Avoid swimming in pools, lakes, etc. if you are not sure that the water is clean enough, especially for a piercing in the healing period.
Final Words
Body piercings allow you to decorate your body with meaningful symbols of self-expression. But before embarking on your piercing journey, know what to budget for various types of piercings.
Standard earlobe or facial piercings start around $30-$50, while more complex or sensitive area piercings can cost $80-$250. The jewelry you select also affects the final price.
To get the look you want at a fair price, find a licensed piercing shop with an experienced piercer and stellar reputation. Taking the time to care for a new piercing properly will ensure you enjoy it for a long time.
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