Sternum Piercing: Chest Jewellery, FAQs & Guide

The Chest piercing, also known as Cleavage piercing or Surface piercing is a seriously alternative body modification that can either be done with a bar or dermal anchor. A barbell or surface bar will require two piercing holes to be made whereas a dermal is done by creating one small hole in the skin. The dermal is a more permanent form of piercing and will need a surgical procedure to remove once healed.

What is the chest piercing called?

A chest piercing can also be called a sternum piercing which describes the breastbone between the breasts. This is the reason for its other alternative name – cleavage piercing. The sternum piercing is usually placed vertically on the breastbone but can also be done horizontally, depending on anatomy.

Does a sternum piercing hurt?

The answer to ‘Will it hurt?’ is yes, all piercings hurt to some extent including the sternum piercing. The amount of pain you experience may depend on your pain tolerance although it is common knowledge that certain piercings hurt more than others. Due to the location, close to the breastbone many people report that the sternum piercing is more painful than other types of surface piercing. The skin can be thin in this area making this quite a difficult piercing to do. The piercer will likely place clamps on your skin which shouldn’t hurt.

How much is a sternum piercing?

The average cost of a sternum piercing is £35 - £65, depending on the piercing jewellery you choose. It can be worth paying for the more expensive piercing jewellery as this will be of high quality which is helpful during the healing process. Many people find that the costs involved in a piercing often reflect the experience needed by the piercer to perform the piercing. A dermal sternum piercing requires a professional piercer because it involves cutting a hole into the skin.

How is a dermal chest piercing done?

A dermal chest piercing involves using either a piercing needle or a dermal punch to make a hole in the skin. When the hole is made the dermal anchor is inserted under the skin and is gently moved into place. The dermal top is then screwed into the dermal anchor. Once healed, you can change your jewellery by unscrewing the dermal top and screwing in a different one.

How do chest piercings stay in?

How do dermal piercings stay in place? If you got your chest piercing done with a dermal anchor then then the skin will grow around the anchor plate and through the holes in the anchor to keep your new chest piercing in place. Once healed, this is how your new piercing will stay in place. If you got a chest piercing with a barbell then the bar that sits under the skin will keep your piercing in place.

How long does it take for a surface piercing to heal?

Surface piercings usually take 1-3 months to fully heal so make sure to be extra careful with your new piercing during that time. To help your surface piercing to heal you should take care not to put any pressure on the piercing and avoid activities such as swimming.

Do sternum piercings always reject?

Sternum piercing do not always reject but it is quite likely that they will. Even if your sternum piercing does not reject immediately you may find that over time it starts to migrate and grow out. Rejection happens in surface piercings because they are pierced close to the surface of the skin. Make sure to consult your piercer before the sternum piercing breaks through the skin as they will be able to advise on the best course of action to limit scarring.

How can I hide my dermal piercings?

Depending on the location, some dermal piercings are easier to hide than others. Wearing clothing with high collars will help you to hide your dermal chest piercing. For other surface piercings you can try skin tone coloured dermal tops or transparent dermal tops.

Can anyone get a cleavage piercing?

Unfortunately not everyone is suitable for a cleavage piercing. You need to have enough tissue on the breastbone for the piercing to be able to go through. If there is not enough flesh then there is a risk that the piercing will break through the skin during healing.

Often people with larger breasts report that their cleavage piercing was difficult to heal or is uncomfortable. This is usually due to the extra pressure that is put on the centre of your chest when you have a larger bust. The weight may press down on the piercing and will also reduce the amount of room there is for your piercing to breathe.

How to remove a sternum piercing?

If you need to retire and remove your dermal sternum piercing, you will need to talk to your piercer about this procedure. You should never attempt to remove a dermal surface piercing yourself. For sternum piercing removal, your piercer will created a small incision to remove the anchor. They may massage the flesh first to loosen the anchor. Your piercer will most likely use forceps to take the anchor out. It is important to take good care of the wound in order to reduce scarring.

Sternum piercing is a serious body modification and should only be undertaken if you are willing to follow through on aftercare and are planning to keep your piercing for a long time. The sternum dermal or chest dermal piercing is a more serious commitment compared with being pierced using a barbell or surface bar but all surface piercings require patience and care.

Want to know more about other types of surface piercing or piercings in general? Be sure to check out more of our FAQs.

Piercing Procedure

Ready to get a sternum 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 sternum piercing age restriction before coming to store. It can help to avoid any undue disappointment. In a Blue Banana studio, the sternum 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 chest piercing location.

The sternum piercing procedure will vary depending on the type of piercing jewellery you have chosen. If you are having a barbell inserted then the piercer will pinch the skin and pass a sterilised needle through the skin, followed by the piercing jewellery. The piercer will first mark the piercing site with a pen so you can check you are happy with the location and they can check that it will be straight and symmetrical. If you are having a microdermal cleavage 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.

Aftercare Advice

A cleavage piercing can take 4-6 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 any clothes that catch or put pressure on your new piercing. It is also important to avoid applying moisturisers, perfumes and other cosmetics to your new piercing.

Like any piercing, it is important to maintain top hygiene when caring for your cleavage piercing. Sticking to your aftercare routine for your sternum piercing will help limit potential infections and ensure your piercing gets the best chance at healing quickly. Gently clean your sternum 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 sternum piercing jewellery from Blue Banana. Some popular styles include:

Sternum Dermal
Cleavage Piercing Jewellery
Chest Piercing Jewellery

There are a range of colours and designs to choose from in our chest 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 chest 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.

Chest Surface Piercing Jewellery

Chest Surface Piercing Jewellery

Piercing Procedure

Aftercare Advice

Choosing Piercing Jewellery

Other Guides & Ranges