We all know the tried and true saying: beauty is pain. From body hair removal to tattoos, we will go through painful lengths to make a statement or feel beautiful.

Piercings are one of the most exciting ways to express your sense of style, but they can come at a painful price, too. If you’re itching to switch up your look but want to mentally prepare for the pain tolerance necessary, let’s discuss the most painful piercings, as well as some equally beautiful and less painful options.

Ear Piercing

Where industrial piercings rank in most painful piercings. pictured: black girl ear with industrial piercing

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When referring to an ear piercing chart, industrial, rook and daith piercings stand out as the most uncomfortable. This is due to the thickness of the cartilage they pass through having denser nerves, though they certainly aren’t intolerable.

Where ear piercings rank in most painful piercings. pictured: ear with multiple piercings

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Otherwise, earlobe piercings are considered to be the least painful piercings, which is why so many of us get them while we’re still children. While it may seem like a safe route, adding in a second or third ear piercing and getting experimental with earrings can still be a bold change to your look.

Nose Piercing

Where septum piercings rank in most painful piercings. pictured: black girl with septum piercing

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On a nose piercing chart, septum ranks the highest in pain level due to it moving through sensitive tissue between the nostrils. Luckily, the septum also heals quickly due to its thinness. A nostril or bridge piercing isn’t as painful, but may cause more discomfort during the healing period rather than the piercing itself. 

Mouth Piercing

Where tongue piercings rank in most painful piercings. pictured: black girl with tongue and nose rings

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While it may seem so, a tongue piercing is not one of the most painful piercings. However, it certainly is one of the most difficult to heal. The mouth is exposed to tons of bacteria daily and this piercing can get infected easily if not taken care of properly.

Where Monroe piercings rank in most painful piercings. pictured: mouth with Monroe piercing

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Referring to a lip piercing chart, the pain depends on the style. A vertical labret may pinch a bit more than lip piercing “bites” or a Monroe piercing, though they’re all relatively low on intensity.

Body Piercing

Where belly piercings rank in most painful piercings. pictured: torso with belly button piercing

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Considered the second least painful right after ear piercings, belly button piercings are beautiful and sensual, and the pain is nothing above a bit of pressure.

If you’re willing to kick it up a notch, nipple piercings are a bold statement that come with a painful price. Since the nipples are an erogenous zones, they overstimulate the brain for more intense pleasure, but this also means more intense pain. 

With the clitoris containing thousands upon thousands of nerve endings, it’s a given that genital piercings stand as some of the most painful piercings a person can get, but it is also most definitely the boldest.

No Risk, No Reward

While miscellaneous piercings like dermal piercings and eyebrow piercings fluctuate in ranking depending on your individual pain tolerance and specific placement, ultimately, with beauty comes a price. You’ll have to suffer through some level of discomfort when getting any kind of piercing, whether it’s some slight pressure or a taxing healing process. With proper aftercare and some subsequent Tylenol, it’ll all be worth it when you debut your new look.

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