How Much Do Piercings Cost? Price Guide & Pro Tips

Piercing prices are all over the place and understandably so. Because there’s more to it than just sticking a needle in. Prices depend on factors like:

Piercing Studio

Where you get pierced matters - a lot. A high-end studio in London, Birmingham, or Manchester, for example, can charge way more than a backstreet shop in a small town. Why? Well, there are always exceptions to the rule. But bigger cities mean higher rent and sometimes more experienced piercers who won’t mess up (always a plus).

Piercer experience

Run for the hills if piercing costs less than your morning coffee. Like we’ve already said (but we’ll say it again to avoid tarring all piercers with the same brush), there’s always somebody out there bucking the trend. And every piercer must start somewhere to build their experience and reputation. But cheap piercings can mean rushed jobs, improper sterilisation, and a higher chance of infections.

Jewellery choice (or no additional cost if you provide your own)

Some materials (like basic surgical steel) can be included in the price for some piercings. But expect to pay extra if you want gold or titanium. And the sky’s the limit if your sights are set on gemstones, custom pieces, or designer brands.

Even how fancy the studio is

State-of-the-art facilities and equipment vs. a dodgy-looking kiosk? Enough said.

All these things affect how much you’ll pay for your shiny new body mod.

This is what you came for! Let’s break it down piercing by piercing, so you know what to expect.

Cheap, low-quality metals can cause infections, allergies, and prolonged healing times. So then, the metal you choose is just as important as where you get pierced. It’s definitely something to bear in mind in terms of how much piercings cost. Because not all metals are created equal and this can make a massive difference.

But costs aside, you need to pick the right jewellery material to help your piercing heal smoothly without any unnecessary drama.

ASTM F-136 Titanium -The Holy Grail of Piercing Metals

Look no further than ASTM F-136 implant-grade titanium when you’re after the gold star standard in piercing jewellery (even though titanium in its purest form is a silvery grey colour). And here’s why. It’s:

• Three times stronger than steel
• Featherlight for comfort
• Biocompatible, nickel-free, hypoallergenic and used in medical implants (aka your body loves it, even if your skin is next level sensitive)
• Won’t tarnish or corrode

What’s not to love? Well, titanium can get a bit pricey compared to surgical steel, especially if you’re into chunky, statement pieces. But it’s worth every penny for its safety, durability, and comfort.

Price range: £15.00 - £40.00 per piece on average (although you can find entry-level rings and threadless tops for under a fiver)

14k Gold - Fancy but Pricey

Like your piercings with a touch of luxe? 14k gold is where it’s at. This premium metal has more than glam going for it. It’s:

• Durable, corrosion resistant and doesn’t tarnish
• Hypoallergenic IF you get high-quality gold (cheap alloys can still contain nickel)
• Safe for sensitive skin, making it perfect for both fresh and healed piercings

14k gold jewellery combines all-day comfort with a sophistication that’s never in or out of fashion – it just is. It’s jewellery done right, whether you're going for the subtle shine of sleek gold nose rings or the bold statement vibes of septum hoops.

Just make sure you get solid gold and not gold-plated. This is because the coating wears off, exposing your skin to the base metal underneath and potentially causing irritation.

Price range: £40.00 - £200.00 per piece on average

Surgical Steel – Strong, Sleek & Seriously Reliable (but not for everyone)

316L surgical steel is a solid choice (literally) when it comes to durability, affordability, and effortless style. Plus, you could be on to a winner if you’re asking about how much do piercings cost and hoping for the lowest price point, without compromising on quality and safety.

Surgical steel is:

• Affordable and widely available
• Doesn’t tarnish or corrode easily
• Strong, polished to a flawless mirror finish and resistant to scratches

In addition, you’ll discover a fantastic range of surgical steel jewellery, whether you’re looking for delicate hoops or eye-popping BCR ball closure rings. And you’ll never think about cheap, low-quality pieces again once you experience the smooth, high shine finish of surgical steel.

BUT it does contain traces of nickel, which can cause allergic reactions for some people. So, it’s not suitable for super sensitive skin.

Price range: £5.00 - £20.00 per piece in average

Piercings look cool. But botched piercings are NOT a vibe. And truthfully, getting it done on the cheap or ignoring aftercare can – and does - lead to infections, migration, rejection, and even permanent scarring!

Read on if you don’t want your new piercing to turn into a tragedy.

Infections

The gross, painful reality! You’ll know firsthand it’s not pretty if you’ve ever seen a swollen, red, pus-filled piercing. Infections happen when bacteria get cosy in your fresh piercing, usually because of poor hygiene, touching it too much, or getting pierced in a sketchy studio.

How to avoid them

• Go to a professional - Not your mate’s cousin who watched a YouTube tutorial!
• Clean it properly - Use a professional-grade saline solution like LobeLove™ Professional Saline Piercing Spray, NOT alcohol or peroxide (which can slow healing).
• Hands off! - No touching, twisting, or playing with your jewellery unless you’re specifically aiming for an ad-lib science experiment on your face!

Migration and Rejection

These happen with when your body says "No Thanks!" The thing is, your body’s pretty smart. This is why it sometimes decides it doesn’t like foreign objects (even if your new nose ring makes you look like a rockstar).

Migration happens when your piercing starts moving from its original position, while rejection is when your skin literally pushes the jewellery out.

Signs of rejection

• The piercing hole is getting bigger
• You can see more of the jewellery than before
• Redness and tenderness don’t go away

How to prevent it

• Use implant-grade titanium jewellery to minimise the chance of irritation
• Avoid surface piercings on high-movement areas like your eyebrows, cheeks, and the nape of your neck
• Don’t cut costs when it comes to your piercer. Proper placement reduces rejection risk. A more experienced, reputable piercer will know how to mitigate threats

Piercing Bumps and Keloids

These unwanted pests can be a tiny nuisance or a gigantic problem, depending how mild or severe you get them. And they sneak up on you unawares. You think your piercing is healing fine. Then, BOOM, a pesky red bump appears!

Piercing bumps are common, especially on cartilage piercings like the helix or tragus. They’re usually caused by irritation, such as sleeping on it, snagging it on clothes, or cheap jewellery.

Keloids, on the other hand, are raised, thickened scars. As if that’s not unattractive enough, they expand beyond the piercing site. Some people are more prone to them than others, especially if you have darker skin tones or a family history of keloids.

How to treat piercing bumps

• Saline soaks with warm saline compresses work wonders
• Don’t change your jewellery too soon. Remember, healing takes time, no matter how desperate you are to rock a bigger, bolder model!
• Switch to a hypoallergenic material like titanium if irritation persists (we won’t say we told you so!)
• Check out these miracle workers - LobeLove™ Healing Discs

We’ve already referenced the best pro standard product on the market, LobeLove™ Professional Saline Piercing Spray.

Let’s mention it again in more detail. After all, you don’t want to let bad aftercare ruin everything after you’ve dropped your cash on a new piercing. So, why not add badass piercing aftercare solution into the mix?

It’s designed to keep your piercings fresh, clean, and free from irritation, whether you’re dealing with a standard lobe, a tricky cartilage piercing, or a stubborn belly button. (But not your tongue!)

Better still, it won’t sting, dry out your skin, or mess with your healing process, thanks to being preservative and alcohol-free.

Just a quick mist-on-the-go to flush out any nasties. No mess. No fuss.

A tiny price to add to your basket for a smoother healing process.

Ultimately, there isn’t a definitive answer to the original question, “How much do piercings cost?”. It’s impossible when there are so many different factors at play. But you can budget accordingly now you’ve got a rough idea - and choose a safe, professional piercer instead of a dodgy discount deal.

Visit the Stretch It Body Jewellery website when you’re looking for high-quality, affordable body jewellery and aftercare products? Click here to check out our killer collection of nose rings and studs, septum clickers and pinchers, and belly bars. And get in touch with any questions, horror stories, or epic healing hacks. We love a good piercing chat.