What is sternum piercing?
You can get just about anything pierced – even your chest. It may seem unbelievable but the fact is true, people are actually getting their sternum perforated. The sternum is the flat bone or breastbone that connects with seven pairs of chest ribs and clavicles. The piercing is done on the sternum vertically or horizontally and is also known as Cleavage Piercing. It is a surface piercing and doesn’t perforate the flesh. Even then, the pain is extreme and it is advised that people with better tolerance of pain should get it done.
Procedure
Decide on the type of sternum piercing you want – vertical or horizontal. Once you decide, tell the piercer where exactly you want it.
- S/He will clean the area for the perforation with some antibacterial liquid.
- Make the marking for the entry and exit with a pen and swipe the area clean.
- Immediately after this, taking a needle he will puncture the skin.
- Jewelry will then set in the hole and the area is cleaned again to avoid infections.
Healing time
In order to heal the piercing completely, you will need to take care of it, clean it and keep it safe from infections. With proper aftercare, it will be healed in 4-6 six weeks but the problem arises when the body rejects it or infects the piercing. There are complications involved too and you should be aware of them before going to a studio.
Infections & complications
The three very common complications are rejection, infection, and migration. It is very likely in sternum piercing that the body rejects the piercing and pushes the jewelry out. The causes of rejection could be an incompatibility with the metal or lack of care. In other cases, the piercing shifts from its position and settles in some other place in the region which is known as migration.
But the most common complication is the infection of the area which happens a lot. It may be due to lack of care and cleaning of the pierced area and the settling of dirt and germs on it. Bacterial infection reddens the whole area and fills it with pus which discharges water from the pierced region.
Aftercare: Cleavage Piercing
It is obvious that aftercare and cleaning of the pierced area is a necessity; failing in doing so could have major problems. Not only will the infection hurt a lot, but it will also make the area look appalling, definitely not something you want. It is much more feasible to go to a professional studio than someone cheap – it might cost a little more but it will be better for your safety.
Grill the studio professional about the aftercare and follow his/her advice.
Dos
Don’ts
Jewelry for Cleavage piercing
The first thing for any piercing is the need to choose the jewelry. The piercing will be done after you pick the ornament you want. The surface bar jewelry with two 90-degree bends is preferred usually the titanium ones because they don’t give skin allergies. There are many options and the professional artist can let you know which one is the best.
Cost of Sternum piercing
Sternum or chest piercing costs around $50-$90 and the cleavage piercing will take $100-$150 out of your pocket. Generally, the cost depends on the type of jewelry picked and the parlor location.
Thanks for reading til the end. Hopefully, this article helped you with your decision rather or not to go ahead with a sternum piercing. Good luck!
