Yes, getting piercings can absolutely be a coping mechanism, often used to manage trauma, anxiety, grief, or to reclaim autonomy over one's body, providing a sense of control, release, or a fresh start, though it can also be a form of controlled self-harm or simply aesthetic expression. The reasons vary, from dealing with past abuse to marking life changes, with some finding it a positive "self-therapy" through endorphin release and body beautification.
Self‐expression: For some girls, piercings are a deliberate identity or aesthetic choice that can increase confidence. Coping or attention: For others, body modification may accompany attempts to cope with low mood, trauma, or to gain social attention--creating an association with lower well‐being.
The "2:3 piercing rule" is a curated ear guideline suggesting that for every two piercings, you should have three units of space between them, aiming for a balanced look, often by placing two piercings on the lobe and three on the upper cartilage, or by using larger jewelry at the bottom (lobes) and smaller pieces (studs/huggies) as you go up the ear for a cascading, uncluttered aesthetic. It's a styling tip, not a strict rule, for creating harmonious ear stacks.
Further, the fact that the pain inflicted in the process of getting pierced or tattooed is more tangible than emotional distress, makes it more appealing — its visibility affords a kind of validation that trauma survivors are often denied for their invisible scars.
Key Takeaways: Daith and tragus piercings can be beneficial in treating migraines, depression, and more. They can feel very painful and healing takes between 3-6 months.
Trauma responses are complex, and can create a feeling of disconnection from one's body. In these cases, the tattooing process can be a physical act of reclaiming the body, inherently telling the mind that what happens to them doesn't have to be out of their control.
A nose piercing typically ranks around a 5-7 out of 10 on the pain scale, feeling like a sharp pinch or sting, but it varies greatly by placement (nostril vs. septum) and individual pain tolerance, with septum piercings often less painful if the "sweet spot" is found, while high nostril piercings can be more intense but heal differently.
In the realm of luxury ear piercing, aesthetics and balance play a crucial role in the final appearance of one's ear adornments. The 3/2 piercing rule, often referred to as the 2:3 ratio, is a guideline that helps individuals achieve a harmonious look when planning multiple ear piercings.
There is no right or wrong side of the nose to get a piercing, it is up to you.
Piercings can be psychologically "addictive," in the sense that many people will continue to see how far they can push their limits once they start getting them, says Stephanie Hutter-Thomas, a professional body piercer and PhD candidate studying the psychology of body art.
Previous studies showed that tattoos and piercings were associated with negative perceptions. Horne et al. reported perceptions associating tattoos or piercings with low social position, crime, and delinquency, resulting in many parents' not wanting to allow their children to undergo these procedures.
Some believe that individuals get pierced for the enjoyment of pain, or because of sexual deviance, and associate it with adolescence. Others believe that being pierced involves pain and therefore, pierced people might have traits of masochism.
Gen Z is regretting tattoos due to impulsive decisions driven by social media trends (like fine-line or patchwork styles), getting inked during emotional highs or lows, a lack of personal meaning, and changing aesthetics (e.g., moving from WFH casual to needing to cover up for office jobs). The visibility of this regret on platforms like TikTok, combined with evolving personal identities and the desire to fit new trends, highlights a growing disillusionment with tattoos that once felt significant but now feel dated or embarrassing.
Psychology plays a significant role in why you might choose to get a piercing. It's not just about how it enhances your appearance; it's also about how it makes you feel. The act of piercing can serve as a rite of passage, a marker of life transitions, or even a way to exert control over one's body.
Tattoos, piercings, and symptoms of ADHD in non-clinical adults: a cross-sectional study. Introduction Tattoos and piercings are associated with impulsive and risk-taking personality traits, which are also common along the ADHD continuum.
The basic principle is that for every two piercings you have, there should be three units of space between them. Typically, this means that you have two piercings on one section of the ear (such as the lobe) and three piercings on the upper cartilage area of the ear.
The "3-2 piercing rule" is a popular guideline for creating a balanced ear piercing arrangement, suggesting three piercings on the lobe and two on the upper cartilage for a harmonious, curated look, or applying a 2:3 ratio of piercings to space for overall balance, often pairing small studs with statement pieces for a chic, "undone" style that avoids overcrowding and emphasizes personal anatomy.
The "prettiest" ear piercings are subjective but popular choices for beauty include the elegant Conch, the trendy Forward Helix, the statement Daith (especially with rings), the classic Helix for subtle sparkle, and curated combinations like the Tragus + Helix + Flat or Triple Lobe for a balanced look, all allowing for stunning jewelry to define your personal style.
Among the most painful piercings, snug and tragus piercings top the list, while upper cartilage piercings like the helix are slightly less painful, but still no laughing matter. Also, bear in mind the pain doesn't necessarily end once the needle is out. For example, cartilage has less blood flow.
Nostril Piercings
These piercings are slightly more painful than earlobe, lip, and navel piercings. The reason for this is because the needle has to go through cartilage, which is tougher than just flesh. These piercings are often described as a brief sting and many people experience watery eyes or the need to sneeze.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): One of the most common mental disorders, GAD is characterized by excessive worry about issues and situations that individuals experience every day. Any worrying that is out of proportion to the reality of the situation may fall under this disorder.
Among the rest of the Stories & Ink team, the most painful places to get a tattoo include:
No, $200 an hour is generally not considered a lot for a professional, experienced tattoo artist in 2025-2026, often falling into the standard or even lower-mid range, especially in major cities or for specialized styles like realism or fine-line work, though rates vary significantly by location, artist demand, and expertise. While some talented artists charge around $100-$150/hour, high-demand or highly specialized artists can easily charge $250-$300+ per hour.