Add Ons | Alternative Body Jewellery

A piercing ball or piercing Add On is an accessory that can be screwed onto the end of bar jewellery in order to instantly customise your piercing without having to change the bar. This is a great option for people who love to switch up their jewellery frequently and are looking to save some money and time.

Piercing balls come in a variety of funky designs but are also available as standard balls in a range of colours. If you have lost the ball to your piercing bar then you can easily replace it with the right sized accessory. Having some spare piercing balls in your collection is a great idea as it means you will never be without jewellery which could cause your piercing to close up.

Alternatively, you can add a quirky style to your piercing by trying out a different shape or design of piercing Add On. Choose from dice, UV balls, jewelled balls and more!

What size piercing ball do I need?

The size of the piercing ball you need will depend on the piercing gauge size. You will need to make sure the size of the gauge matches the size of your bar e.g. 1.2mm. The diameter of the piercing ball can be different from your existing piercing add on as long as the gauge sizes for the threading match your bar.

Our sizes generally range from 3mm ball piercing up to 8mm piercing ball. While you don’t necessarily need to match the piercing ball size with your current Add On, you do need to make sure the threading size is compatible. It often follows that the larger the Add On the larger gauge of bar you need. For example, most 3mm Add Ons fit a 1.2mm bar and most 5mm Add Ons fit a 1.6mm bar.

1.2mm piercing balls are one of the most common sizes so we have made sure to have plenty in stock for you to choose from. To see the gauge of a piercing ball simply click into the product and in the description it will tell you what size bar it is suitable for.

When choosing the size of the ball itself, e.g. 2mm ball piercing your main consideration should be whether it will be comfortable. For example, if you are changing the Add On for your smiley piercing you will need to make sure the ball isn’t too large as it could cause rubbing against the gums or teeth whereas an industrial piercing bar may be able to accommodate larger piercing bars due to the location and size of the piercing.

The final thing to check before you can move onto the fun of choosing your new piercing ball is the threading of your bar. If you intend to use your Add On with an existing piercing bar, then make sure to check if it is internally or externally threaded. Internally threaded piercing balls have the hole in them and can be screwed onto a bar (this is the most common type). Externally threaded piercing balls feature the screw fixture which can be inserted into the hole of an internally threaded bar.

Once you know which size of Add On you need then you can enjoy picking out a design. One of the most popular alternative looks for piercings is a piercing cone which looks awesome on the end of circular barbells in lip piercings and ear rim piercings. If you are looking for something elegant for a special occasion then our jewelled Add Ons are a great option. Available in a range of colours, you can even pick one to match your outfit. If you are getting ready to party then why not opt for a funky UV style to light up your look under UV blacklight.

Dermal Tops

A dermal top is different from a piercing Add On because it is specifically designed to be used with a dermal anchor. The main difference between the dermal top and a piercing ball is that the dermal top fits onto an internally threaded bar and therefore has a screw attachment whereas most Add Ons feature a hole which the bar can be screwed in to.

Micordermal piercings are a type of surface piercing and can be placed in a variety of locations on the body including collar bone, neck, hip, hand, back, finger, and sternum.

What is a dermal top?

A dermal top attaches to a dermal anchor which is a type of surface piercing that is inserted under the skin to show a single stud above the skin. Unlike other types of piercing, a dermal piercing must be medically removed as the skin grows around the anchor under the surface of the skin to hold it in place.

What size is a dermal piercing?

Dermal piercings do vary in size but the most common sizes are 3mm, 4mm, and 5mm. If you are buying a dermal top make sure you know the size of your dermal anchor so you can choose a suitable size. It is also important to check the threading – most dermal anchors are internally threaded for hygiene reasons.

Picking Out Piercing Add Ons

It is important to choose the right size and material for your piercing jewellery as your body may react differently to different materials. Getting the right size of Add On is important so that you can attach it to your existing piercing bar.

Size: Add Ons are measured to fit on a specific bar size. The measurement displayed on the Add On is the diameter of the ball accessory. Click into the product to see which bar size it is suitable for. E.g. 5mm Jewelled Ball Suitable for a 1.6mm bar.
Material: Choosing a high quality material such as titanium will provide you with a hypoallergenic material that is perfect for everyday use. Surgical steel is also a good choice for healed piercings as it is durable. Acrylic Add Ons are popular because they come in UV styles and funky shapes.
Threading: When choosing an Add On it is important to get the right threading for your bar. An externally threaded bar means that the screw is on the end of the bar and the hole is in the ball/Add On. An internally threaded bar is the reverse.

Inserting/Removing Piercings Add Ons

Before handling your piercing, always make sure to wash your hands with antibacterial soap.

It is important to be patient and not attempt to change your piercing jewellery before the piercing is fully healed as this can cause complications. However, once it has healed you can start exploring your options.

To put on a new Add On all you need to do is unscrew the existing piercing ball and screw on the new Add On. Make sure the new jewellery has been cleaned before use. While you are changing your piercing Add On you may want to remove the bar to clean the jewellery and the piercing hole. Make sure the new Add On is screwed in securely.

Changing an Add On really is as simple as that and can be done in seconds. If you find the ball too tight to unscrew using just your fingers then you can use special jewellery pliers to help.

Where can you use Add Ons?

Add Ons are an incredibly versatile type of piercing jewellery that can be used in many different types of piercing. You can wear an Add On with:

Straight Barbell
Curved Barbell
Circular Barbell
Industrial Piercing Bar
Labret
Navel Bar
Tongue Bar

For Micro Dermal Anchors make sure to choose a Dermal Top as the dermal anchor is usually internally threaded. Most other types of Add Ons fit onto externally threaded bars (although it is still worth checking your bar before purchasing a replacement ball).

Other Guides & Ranges

Please Note: Blue Banana piercing information is based on knowledge from our experiences as one of the UK's top piercing studios. All details provided should be read alongside professional advice. Please see our full Piercing Articles Disclaimer, here.