Comments on: The Sternum Piercing Saga

By: eatthelemons

eatthelemons — Sat, 30 May 2009 13:10:38 +0000

In general, I am told that a microdermal is easier to deal with (for the body) than the bar type piercing. But it’s really tricky to say what will work better for you. You need a piercer who is most comfortable doing it one way or another and ask him his/her opinion.

By: Teresa

Teresa — Fri, 29 May 2009 18:22:25 +0000

So is a single ball with no exit wound better then having a bar type where it enters and exits??

By: Teresa

Teresa — Fri, 29 May 2009 18:19:34 +0000

Wow!! Incredible story and must say your very brave!!
I really wanted a sternum piercing myself and was thinking about getting it this weekend but after reading your story ..i kind changed my mind even though they look awesome!

By: eatthelemons

eatthelemons — Wed, 27 May 2009 16:40:20 +0000

Hi Aimee. I’m no expert and have only my experience to fall on for information, so keep that in mind as I answer your questions.

Scarring: I have 4 keloids, 1 per piercing. I use scar cream most days and after a year the keloids fade a little but are still prominent. The size of the keloid appears to depend on how long you keep the piercing after it begins to give you trouble. The two I took out right away look much better than the others. My body gets keloids, but yours might not. I saw scarring on another person, and they just looked like small white scars.

Healing: The second I took the piercings out I felt a lot of relief. There was some pain for a few weeks after, but nothing that prevented me from sleeping on my side or wearing a messenger bag. I just had to wait for cuts in my chest to heal.

Temporary: Surface piercings should be seen as temporary piercings, not permanent ones like ear piercings. Some people are able to keep surface piercings for years and years, but even after a good long time in your body, if the piercing is bumped or hurt enough, the body will still try to reject it. So you would have to be careful with it.

Good luck with whatever you choose. I did enjoy having my piercings and I don’t mind the keloids, so overall I can’t say that I regret doing it even though I didn’t get to keep mine. Just make sure to get a piercer who knows what he/she is doing. Their portfolio should have pictures of surface piercings they have done. Word of mouth is good too. Not every piercer can do this piercing, and many piercers will not be able to do it correctly.

By: Aimee

Aimee — Tue, 26 May 2009 00:38:53 +0000

I am interested in getting a sternum piercing. I read your story and it scared me a bit but i still really want one. Some of my concerns are that if I decide to take it out, what kind of scaring will i have and how long does it usually last? Also does it still hurt to sleep on your side even after it heals? and someone said that surface piercings eventually get pushed out. is that true for everyone? i would imagine that after it heals your body accepts it right?
Sorry I have so my questions but i like that you posted you story. I’ve been looking for feedback to make up my mind. if i dont get the sternum piercing i was gonna get a scaffold ear piercing. so we’ll see.

By: eatthelemons

eatthelemons — Fri, 01 May 2009 01:23:09 +0000

I really enjoyed my piercing(s) too. I wouldn’t have kept getting them if I didn’t like them. I still miss it a bit, but I really enjoy sleeping on my side and wearing a messenger bag. Thanks for sharing your experience :)

By: Ciara

Ciara — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 22:00:37 +0000

I had my sternum pierced one year ago yesterday. still in. i’ve had my fair share of problems with it though. it goes day to day. my piercer gave me a soap called Satin to wash it with daily and then had me rinse it w/ warm sea salt water 2-3 a day. i stopped using the sea salt/water mixture about 9 months ago but still use the Satin stuff. there definately has been some migration but like you said, most surface piercings are temporary and eventually will be pushed out. but i am completely in love with it!! i’m sorry you have had to put up with so much crap!! :(

By: Raychel

Raychel — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 09:28:32 +0000

i’ve had mine in for only 2 months at this point. but for the sternum i didn’t have tygon when it was peirced. the metal was starting to reject in the first week, so i had some put in the bars place. and right now all is very well!

but my nape only ever had tygon, and it fully healed and looks great.

if you do decide to try again you might have more luck with tygon :)
oh and it’s not a pain to sleep with either.

By: eatthelemons

eatthelemons — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 20:35:54 +0000

Yup, metal both times. I just looked up tygon, it looks awesome! Maybe I’ll try it again, after my scars fade, and if I find someone who uses it. How long have you had yours?

By: Raychel

Raychel — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 06:42:57 +0000

that’s sad they had to come out. i’ve always asked to use tygon in my surface piercings.

i have a sternum and a nape for surface piercings. according to altered evolution it’s one of the best things to have for those kind. flexible and usually very body friendly.

did you have metal in your body each time?