Barbell piercing jewellery can be used in a range of piercings but it is important to ensure you choose the right type for your piercing. This guide explains the types of piercings that work with a straight barbell and answers other FAQs.

There are typically three types of barbells; curved barbells, circular barbells and straight barbells. For information about the other types of barbells, visit our dedicated piercing sections to find out more.

What are straight barbells for?

Straight barbells are often used in tongue, industrial and nipple piercings. Straight piercings that are not suitable for labrets can be worn with a straight barbell instead. In piercings such as nipple and industrial, the double jewelled balls create a pleasing symmetrical aesthetic. When it comes to tongue piercings, a long bar is needed which is why a straight barbell is a perfect option.

The straight barbell features a screw on ball to each end of a straight bar. Piercings that support this type of jewellery include:

• Scaffold/Industrial Piercing: This piercing uses a straight barbell to join two piercing holes to create the industrial bar aesthetic.
• Tongue Piercing: Initially you will need a long barbell piercing tongue to allow for swelling when your tongue is freshly pierced but once you have healed your piercing, you can enjoy changing the look with a range of straight barbells or tongue bars.
• Venom Piercing: This double tongue piercing can be worn with matching straight barbells.
• Bridge Piercing: The bridge piercing is usually pierced with a straight barbell. Not all anatomies can support this piercing. It is placed at the top of the nose and is categorised as a surface piercing.
• Nipple Piercings: Straight barbells are a great option for nipple piercings, particularly when they are freshly pierced. A forward facing gem on a straight barbell is the perfect option for a nipple piercing.

Can you wear barbell in cartilage?

You can wear a straight barbell in cartilage piercings. A barbell piercing in ear may not be as comfortable as a labret or tragus stud but if you prefer the aesthetic then there is a range of cartilage ear piercings that can support straight barbells. You may prefer to wait until your piercing is healed before changing to a straight barbell as it can be more likely to catch.

Industrial piercings can be worn with a straight barbell as soon as they are pierced and the snug, daith and rook are often pierced using curved barbells.

Straight barbell earrings can be used in this list of ear piercings (but it is usually recommended to use a labret):

• Conch Piercing
• Helix Piercing
• Pinna Piercing
• Spiral Piercing
• Tragus Piercing

Other piercings that are suitable for straight barbells:

• Cheek Piercing: Depending on the type of cheek piercing you have, you may be able to wear a straight barbell.
• Hand Surface Piercing: Depending on the type of hand piercing you have, you may be able to wear a straight barbell.
• Female Genital Piercings: Consult your piercer to find out the best type of jewellery for your piercing based on your anatomy.
• Male Genital Piercings: Ampallang, apadravya, and frenum piercings are suitable for straight barbells.

How to Choose The Right Piercing Barbell?

Once you know what type of barbell you need for your piercing, there are some other factors to consider. The material of your barbell may be determined by any known allergies and metal sensitivities, your chosen budget, and the aesthetic you want to achieve.

• Gold Titanium Barbell: Cheaper than real gold but still just as stunning, gold titanium has the added benefit of being hypoallergenic, biocompatible, and durable.
• Surgical Steel Barbell: Surgical steel is a commonly used piercing material but some people do have sensitivities to this metal. Surgical steel is great for durability but may be best for healed piercings.
• Titanium Barbell: Surgical grade titanium is a top choice for piercings. It is hypoallergenic, biocompatible, and durable. Our titanium jewellery is available in a range of colours to suit your style.

The second feature to consider is the barbell threading, especially if you want to purchase add on accessories to go with your piercing bar. Add ons are a great way to save money while still regularly switching your style. Get a collection of different gem colours to use with the same bar.

• Internally Threaded Barbell: An internally threaded barbell has a hole at the end of the bar that the ball screws into.
• Externally Threaded Barbell: An externally threaded barbell has a hole in the add on ball that the bar screws into.

Blue Banana straight barbells can be used with our Add On range. Find an add on that matches your bar gauge and has the correct threading then you will be able to quickly switch your piercing jewellery.

Can you put a straight barbell in a curved piercing?

It is not recommended to put a straight barbell in a curved piercing. The curved piercing channel has not been shaped to support a straight bar so it is likely to cause irritation. Often this question is asked in regard to a straight barbell septum piercing. While this can be an effective way to hide your septum piercing, it may become uncomfortable to do this long term. If you would like to hide your septum piercing, you can opt for a piercing retainer or you can flip your curved barbell to face into your nostril.

The classic design of a straight barbell can be customised by choosing the colour or add on feature. Our barbells are available with a range of different gems and the add ons can be swapped for accessories such as cones and dice. This type of piercing jewellery will be essential to your collection if you have a tongue, nipple or industrial piercing, to name a few.