Neck & Nape Piercing: Jewellery, FAQs & Guide

Neck piercing can be performed in a variety of locations on the neck and should only be performed by an experienced piercing. Certain placements of neck surface piercings are near blood vessels which is why it is worth making sure you are seeing a professional piercer for your neck piercing. Popular neck piercing placements include the nape piercing and vampire bite piercing.

How is neck piercing done?

When you are getting your neck or nape piercing done this is most likely how - As you lean forward with your shoulders pushed together, the piercer will place a clamp onto the area of the skin where the neck piercing will be placed. A sterilised hollow needle will be pushed through the channel between the two pierced points. The surface bar or barbell is then inserted, and the area will be cleaned.

Do neck piercings hurt?

A piercing to the back of the neck is a surface piercing so is generally deemed moderately painful. Some people consider a nape piercing to not be very painful, however, as with all information on the pain felt during piercing, the information is purely objective. Every piercing will hurt initially but if the pain persists then you should seek medical advice.

How long do neck piercings last?

With nape piercings, the healing time can be between anything from 2-6 months. Depending on how you care for your neck piercing will depend on how long it will last. Surface piercings are prone to rejection which can occur with even the best aftercare because your body is trying to push out a foreign object. Maintaining good aftercare will give your piercing a better chance of healing but even after your piercing has healed there is still a small chance that your piercing will eventually reject.

Are nape piercings dangerous?

It is a common misconception that nape piercings can be dangerous because they interfere with the nerves in the top of your neck. Some piercing myths even go as far as saying that a nape piercing can paralyze you but this is not founded in scientific evidence or anecdotal evidence. The nape piercing carries the same risks as any surface piercing but because it is a surface piercing it only goes through a small around of skin and not deep into the tissue, therefore, it won’t interfere with your nerve endings. Always see a professional piercer for your piercings as they will be able to choose a safe placement for your nape piercing.

How much is a nape piercing?

The piercing price of nape piercing averages at £35 - £65 depending on the type of jewellery you choose. It is always worth choosing the higher quality jewellery even if the cost is higher because this will give your piercing the best chance at healing and may feel more comfortable in the long run. How much a piercing is, often reflects the experience of the piercer so the additional cost is usually worth it for peace of mind.

How old do you have to be to get a nape piercing?

The age for a nape piercing is 18 with ID or 16 with parental consent. Your parent or guardian must be present for the piercing. It is important to bring your identification with you to your piercing. Acceptable forms of ID include Passport, Driving License, and Identification with the Pass logo. If we suspect you are not old enough to have the piercing and you don’t have the appropriate paperwork we will refuse to perform the piercing. Likewise, if we suspect your identification is fake, we reserve the right to refuse to pierce you.

What is a neck piercing called?

There are a few types of neck piercing. The most common neck piercing is called a nape piercing. This piercing is placed at the back of the neck near the base. You get neck piercings in a variety of locations because they are a form of surface piercing however care needs to be taken around the placement because the neck contains sensitive nerves. Experienced piercers can also perform a vampire bite neck piercing which is placed on the side of the neck.

What is a vampire bite piercing?

A vampire bite piercing is a surface piercing that is placed on the side of the neck and is designed to look as if a vampire has bitten you. If you are having a vampire bite piercing or neck piercing on the side of the neck then only go to an extremely experienced piercer. This piercing’s placement is besides serious blood vessels so the location of the piercing is essential.

How does a neck piercing stay in?

Many people ask ‘how do dermal piercings stay in place?’ It can look mysterious when all that can be seen from the outside is the dermal top or gem. This is because the dermal anchor is placed under the skin. The skin heals around the dermal anchor, holding it in place.

How long do dermal piercings last?

Once your dermal piercing has healed you have a better chance of it lasting a long time. The dermal anchor that is placed beneath the skin or dermis layer has some small holes which allow the skin to grow around the plate in order to hold the plate in place. As the skin renews the dermal anchor can be pushed out over time. Some people have their dermal piercing for years and some for months. It can depend on how well you care for your piercing but with all piercings sometimes your body will reject the foreign object and you will need to retire the piercing.

Neck piercings are popular among fans of alternative fashion and culture but haven’t yet reached the mainstream piercing trends so if you are looking for a body modification to help you stand out from the crowd then a type of neck surface piercing could be the one for you. The benefits of getting a nape piercing at the back of your neck is that it can be hidden by long hair or a high collar when needed but if you want a piercing that is on view all the time then the rarer vampire bite piercing is a great option. Although, this piercing can be covered with a scarf if needed.

Want to know more about surface piercings or other types of piercing at Blue Banana? Check out more of our Piercing Guides and FAQs.

Piercing Procedure

Ready to get a neck piercing? Use our store locator to find your local Blue Banana Studio. There’s no need to book an appointment; you can simply go to the store of your choice and be pierced on the day.

Make sure to check the neck piercing age restriction before coming to store. It can help to avoid any undue disappointment. In a Blue Banana studio, the neck piercing age restriction is 18 (ID may be required) or 16 with parental consent from a parent or guardian who is present.

Once you’re all booked in, you will have some forms to fill out. A member of Blue Banana staff will go through the steps and can help you pick out jewellery. Then you can meet the piercer! They too will give you a quick consultation and briefing before discussing the neck piercing location.

The neck piercing procedure will vary depending on the type of piercing jewellery you have chosen. If you are having a microdermal neck piercing then the piercer will make a small hole in the skin using a needle or dermal punch and insert a dermal anchor using forceps. The piercer will clamp the area of skin when you are having a microdermal piercing.

If you are having a nape piercing with a barbell your piercer will ask you to lean forward and push your shoulder blades together so that they can clamp the skin at the base of your neck. Then the piercer will pass a sterilised needle between the clamps and insert the piercing jewellery.

Aftercare Advice

A neck or nape piercing can take 8 - 10 weeks to fully heal. The healing time varies from person to person and will need top aftercare to ensure successful healing.

During the healing process, it is important to avoid knocking the piercing or putting pressure on the area as this will slow down healing and can even cause unnecessary problems. During healing make sure not to wear necklaces or scarfs that will rub against the piercing. You may find it best to tie up your hair or wear it to the side to avoid it catching on your new piercing. During the initial healing process, it is best not to lie on your back while sleeping.

The location of a nape piercing means that you may want to ask someone to help you to thoroughly clean the piercing as it is difficult to see and reach on your own. Make sure that anyone touching your piercing has washed their hands with antibacterial soap before cleaning your piercing. Gently clean your neck piercing twice a day with salt water solution or Tea Tree Oil by bathing it using cotton wool.

If you would like further information, make sure to read our full Piercing Aftercare Guides to learn about side effects to look out for.

Choosing Piercing Jewellery

There’s plenty of options when it comes to neck piercing jewellery from Blue Banana. Some popular styles include:

Nape Barbell
Microdermal Piercing Jewellery
Neck Piercing Jewellery

There are a range of colours and designs to choose from in our neck piercing jewellery range. When choosing your piercing jewellery there are a few things you should consider:

Jewellery Size – Make sure to find out from your piercer the size your neck piercing jewellery should be.
Jewellery Material – piercing materials differ not only through their look but also how they could react to your skin. If you have sensitive skin that is prone to irritation, one of the many Titanium jewellery options is recommended. This material comes in a variety of colours and is durable too!

If you regularly participate in sports, you may want to discuss the best piercings for you with your piercer. You may need to consider the type of clothing you wear and whether the sport you participate in could result in the piercing getting knocked.

When searching for a piece of jewellery make sure you know your measurements. We display the piercing jewellery measurements as Gauge first (displayed in millimetres) then Length, e.g. 1.2mm x 8mm.

Gauge – this is the thickness of the jewellery itself.
Length – the length of the piercing bar, usually not including the ball.

We generally recommend that for new piercings you choose longer jewellery. This can allow for extra room in case of any swelling. Make sure to check out the tips from our piercing guides for information about changing and removing piercing jewellery.

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.

Neck Surface Piercing Jewellery

Neck Surface Piercing Jewellery

Piercing Procedure

Aftercare Advice

Choosing Piercing Jewellery

Other Guides & Ranges