Christina Piercing
Christina Piercing: A Piercer’s Guide
The modern era is all about body positivity. Because of this, genital piercings are at an all-time high. Among the most popular genital piercings is the Christina piercing.
As a piercer, you’ll probably get a few questions about this piercing choice, and even if you don’t offer genital piercings, you’ll want to be able to answer their questions. To help you out, here’s our guide.
What is a Christina piercing?
In technical terms, the Christina piercing is a genital piercing that appears at the top of the vulva and extends up the pubic mound above the labia majora. As a surface piercing, it consists of a long piercing hole with entry and exit points stacked on top of each other, and it’s filled with a curved barbell. Some people may mistakenly call it a vertical Christina piercing, but this is incorrect terminology as the Christina piercing is already vertical. If a client comes in asking for a vertical Christina piercing, make sure that they don’t mean to ask for a vertical clitoral hood piercing instead.
Why do people get the Christina piercing?
Unlike some other genital piercings, the Christina piercing is purely ornamental; it’s not designed to bring any elevated pleasure in the bedroom. That being said, a sparkly curved barbell can still add a bit of excitement to bedroom endeavours.
But Christina piercings, and other genital piercings, don’t have to be about sex. Many people seek them out as a way to celebrate their bodies. Whether they want to feel prettier or more confident, or they’re seeking gender affirmation, people have found profound healing in their genital piercings. In this way, a Christina piercing can be a celebration of self.
If you conduct genital piercings, remember that there can be a variety of reasons why someone wants one, and create a safe space to make the experience as positive as you can.
What is the difference between a VCH and a Christina piercing?
Although the VCH and Christina piercings are two of the most popular genital piercings and are often mistaken for each other, they are two very different piercings with very different purposes.
The vertical clitoral hood or VCH piercing goes through the skin that covers the clitoris (NOT the clitoris itself). The intimate jewellery, therefore, will touch the clitoris during stimulation, leading to increased pleasure. Conversely, the Christina piercing is purely ornamental and a surface piercing.
The piercing process
Conducting a Christina piercing will be very similar to any other surface piercing. However, because it’s located in an intimate area, you will need to take some extra steps to ensure that your clients feel safe and comfortable.
Be sure to talk your clients through the entire piercing process, encouraging them to take a break whenever they need. Make sure that they know that this is a procedure and that there is nothing intimate about it. Prepare them for some piercing pain.
In Elayne Angel’s The Piercing Bible, she places Christina piercing pain at around the same level as a cartilage or nostril piercing, around midway on the pain scale. There will be some discomfort, but it shouldn’t be unbearable.
This piercing can see a bit of bleeding, so encourage your clients to bring a sanitary pad or ensure you have some pads on hand. It’s also important to note that you should feel safe as a piercer, too. If at any point throughout the appointment you feel as though the piercee crosses a line, it’s perfectly acceptable to refuse service. Getting a genital piercing should be a safe and positive process for all.
Christina piercing aftercare
Aftercare for the Christina piercing is no different from any other piercing. However, the healing time is significant—a minimum of 6 – 9 months—so make sure that your client is prepared to care for it for the entire period.
As a surface piercing, the Christina may see rejection or migration, so the wearer needs to protect it until a piercer confirms that healing is complete.
Here are the main aftercare rules for the Christina piercing.
- Clean the piercing 2 – 3 times daily with a piercing aftercare saline solution. Simply spray a clean paper towel with saline and gently wipe the entry and exit holes.
- Avoid swimming or soaking in lakes, tubs, hot tubs, etc. The piercing should stay as dry as possible. When leaving the shower, make sure to dry the piercing as soon as you get out.
- Avoid friction, as this can encourage rejection and migration. Make sure to wear snug (but not too tight) cotton underwear to avoid rubbing against trousers or leggings. Be careful during intercourse not to rub against the piercing too much, and avoid lacy underwear as that can easily snag on the jewellery.
- Do not pick at any crusties that might form. Instead, gently soak them away with a clean paper towel and purified water.
Risks and complications
Many people ask, “Is the Christina piercing safe?” Overall, it’s an incredibly safe piercing. Even though it appears in the genital region, it’s a purely ornamental surface piercing, so it carries the same risk factors as most other piercings. But, because of the Christina piercing’s location and lengthy healing period, there are some potential risks and complications. Luckily, most of these complications are avoidable through proper care and are relatively minor.
Piercing rejection
Because it’s a surface piercing, the Christina piercing rejection rate is higher than other types of genital piercings. Additionally, since it’s almost constantly in contact with clothing that rubs against it, the friction can encourage migration and rejection. This is why it’s important that your clients wear snug-fitting cotton underwear. Encourage your clients to come to you if they think that their piercing is rejecting, as failure to retire it in time could result in a Christina piercing scar.
So, how do you know if a Christina piercing is rejecting? There are a few signs:
- The piercing holes become bigger.
- The skin around the piercing becomes red and flaky.
- The Christina piercing jewellery has noticeably moved.
- The jewellery fits more loosely.
Infections
You don’t want to deal with an infected Christina piercing. Luckily, as long as the client keeps their Christina piercing jewellery clean and practices good hygiene, it should be avoided. True piercing infections are relatively rare, but they can be serious if left untreated, so your clients should know the signs.
It might be an infection if:
- It has yellow or green pus or discharge. This discharge might also be smelly.
- It starts swelling and bleeding, especially long after the piercing takes place.
- It feels warm to the touch.
- It becomes highly sensitive.
These symptoms come about quickly. It’s not uncommon to go to sleep with a healthy piercing and wake up with all of these symptoms at once. If your client suspects a piercing infection, have them visit a medical professional immediately. They will likely need antibiotics to treat it. They should never remove the jewellery, as this can cause the skin to close, trapping the infection and causing an abscess.
Piercing bump
A Christina piercing bump may arise for a number of reasons. There are an array of different types of piercing bumps, and they are notoriously difficult to diagnose. Common causes of piercing bumps are dampness, trauma, and irritation.
Here are some ways to avoid piercing bumps:
- Keep the piercing as dry as possible, even after you sweat. After working out, change into a fresh pair of underwear and make sure that the area is dry.
- Avoid snags and snares as much as possible.
- Make sure that the jewellery is the right size and does not press against the piercing holes.
- Wear proper jewellery materials. 316L surgical steel and ASTM F-136 titanium are the preferred materials for healing piercings.
- Avoid any products besides saline solution. This includes tea tree oil, lotions, and soaps.
Jewellery
Christina piercing jewellery consists of curved barbells (also referred to as Christina piercing bars) or surface barbells. It’s typically pierced at 14G to 10G, and the length will depend upon the anatomy of the wearer.
Because it’s ornamental, Christina piercing jewellery often carries gemstone balls or fun ends, like hearts or flowers. It’s important to remember that the location of the piercing makes it susceptible to snags, so even with healed Christina piercings, it’s best to choose jewellery with a bezel setting and smoother finish.
We offer a wide selection of Christina jewellery in 316L surgical steel and ASTM F-136 titanium, including anodised options, both of which are suitable for fresh piercings. For healed piercings, we also have some acrylic options—a material that many wearers enjoy due to its flexibility.
The Christina piercing is a fantastic choice for anyone looking to gain some confidence. If they can maintain a substantial healing period, then it’s a piercing choice that they’ll love for years to come.
Publication date and/or Last Updated: July 16, 2024
Author: cesar@suprank.com
Views: 806
Copyright Holder: Acha Co., Ltd.
Company info: WholesaleBodyJewellery is owned and operated by Acha, a leading manufacturer and online supplier of piercing jewellery with more than 20 years in the industry.
