Hip Piercing: Jewellery, FAQs & Guide

Hip piercing is a form of surface piercing. While it is called a hip piercing, in reality, it is placed just above the pelvic bone in an area called the lower abdomen. This provides an area with enough soft flesh for hip piercings to go through. Hip piercings are often done in pairs and are usually pierced with a barbell. Want to know more about hip piercings? We have gathered all your FAQs below.

What are hip piercings called?

Hip piercing is usually the name for a surface piercing that is placed on the lower abdomen. They are called hip piercings because they are placed just above the pelvic or hip bone. The type of surface piercing is either done with a barbell which gives a double stud, or a microdermal for a single stud. People often opt for a hip piercing in a pair – one over each hip bone.

How long do hip piercings take to heal?

The hip piercing healing process should take between 3 – 12 months. The less you knock the piercing and the better you care for it, the quicker the healing time should be. It can take up to a year if your body is naturally slow to heal or if you get an infection during healing. Cleaning your piercing twice a day with saltwater solution or Tea Tree Oil will help reduce the bacteria that could cause infection. Carry on with your aftercare routine to ensure your piercing fully heals.

Do hip piercings hurt?

Surface piercings are said to not be very painful. Unlike other types of piercings such as cartilage piercings, hip piercings only go through the skin which is why they shouldn’t hurt as much. Many say that a surface piercing is more painful than a microdermal piercing but everyone experiences pain differently. Hip piercing pain is usually rated at about a 4 out of 10 on the pain scale.

Do hip piercings always reject?

Hip piercings won’t always reject, especially if you maintain a good aftercare routine. However, even with the best care hip piercing rejection can occur if your body is determined to push out the foreign object. Even healed hip piercings can reject after several months or years because surface piercings have a higher chance of rejecting due to being so close to the surface of the skin. If you notice your piercing jewellery has moved then make sure to consult your piercer. Migration and rejection is likely to eventually lead to the piercing breaking through the skin which could lead to scarring so make sure to talk to your piercer before this point to discuss the best course of action.

How much are hip piercings?

A hip piercing usually costs £35 - £65, depending on the type of piercing and piercing jewellery. We always recommend paying the extra cost for high quality piercing jewellery as this can help the healing process and reduce potential irritation. The hip piercing can be done with either a barbell or microdermal so the price will vary depending on the type of hip piercing you choose.

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

In order to get a hip piercing, you need to be 18 years old and bring a form of identification with you. If you are between the age of 16 and 18 you can get this piercing with parental consent from a parent or guardian who must be present for the piercing. Types of acceptable identification include a valid Passport, Driving License, or identification with the holographic Pass logo.

How do hip piercings stay in?

The hip piercing is pierced with a barbell which sits below the skin. This stays in place with two balls on either end of the bar. The other type of hip piercing is a microdermal piercing which uses a dermal anchor placed under the skin to keep the hip piercing in place. This stays in place because the skin grows around and through the dermal plate, holding it in place. A dermal top is screwed into the anchor and can be seen above the surface of the skin.

How do they remove hip dermals?

If you want to remove your dermal hip piercing you should visit your piercer. Never attempt to remove a dermal anchor at home. Your piercer will have the appropriate tools and experience for safely removing a dermal piercing. The piercer will massage the skin around you hip dermal to loosen the anchor. They will then make a small incision in the skin and use forceps to remove the dermal plate. They may also use a scalpel to remove any scar tissue that has formed. Make sure to carefully care for the wound to reduce scarring.

Can surface piercings last forever?

Surface piercings usually don’t last forever due to being pierced close to the surface of the skin but can last anything from several months to several years. The body may recognise the piercing jewellery as a foreign object and push it toward the surface. If your piercing does start to grow out or reject then it is best to talk to your piercer. They may recommend that you retire the piercing before it breaks through the skin in order to prevent scarring.

What will happen to my hip piercing if I gain or lose weight?

It is worth noting that cosmetic effects, such as shifting and migration, can occur during periods of weight gain or loss. With respect to hip piercings, substantial changes to your waistline might cause the piercing to become irritated, even if it is well healed. It’s heavily advised you discuss the idea of different sizes/styles of jewellery that’ll help alleviate these issues with your piercer.

A hip surface piercing is a serious body modification and your lifestyle needs to be taken into consideration as the hip piercing is placed in an area that experiences plenty of movement and rubbing from clothing. If you would like to learn more about surface piercings or other types of piercing at Blue Banana then check out our Piercing Guides.

Piercing Procedure

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

The hip piercing procedure will vary depending on the type of piercing jewellery you have chosen. If you are having a hip piercing with a barbell, which is the most common type of hip piercing, your piercer will pass a sterilised needle through the skin above the pelvis bone and insert the piercing jewellery. The piercer may clamp your skin to make it easier. If you are having a microdermal hip 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 hip piercing can take 3-12 months 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 clothing that will rub against the piercing and remove any strands of fabric that may get caught around the jewellery. Make sure to avoid using any cosmetics, including moisturisers and perfumes, on your hip until the piercing has healed. It is best to avoid swimming but you can cover the piercing with a waterproof dressing if absolutely necessary.

When cleaning your hip piercing, make sure to wash your hands with antibacterial soap before touching your piercing. Gently clean your hip 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 hip piercing jewellery from Blue Banana. Some popular styles include:

Hip Dermals
Hip Barbells
Hip Piercing Jewellery

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

Hip Surface Piercing Jewellery

Hip Surface Piercing Jewellery

Piercing Procedure

Aftercare Advice

Choosing Piercing Jewellery

Other Guides & Ranges