Barbell Piercing – What it is, types & materials

A barbell piercing is a piercing jewel consisting of a straight or curved bar with a removable ball at both ends. The name refers to its resemblance to a barbell. Barbells are one of the most versatile piercing jewels — suitable for tongue, eyebrow, nipple, ear, and industrial piercings. Available in titanium, surgical steel, bioplast, and gold.

Types of barbell piercings

Straight barbell — the classic variant. A straight bar with a ball at both ends. Standard for tongue piercings and nipple piercings. Length varies from 10 to 38 mm depending on the application.

Curved barbell (bananabell) — a slightly curved bar that follows the natural shape of the body. Popular for eyebrow piercings, navel piercings, and nipple piercings.

Circular barbell (horseshoe) — a horseshoe-shaped barbell with a ball at both open ends. Commonly used for septum piercings, tragus piercings, and labret piercings.

Industrial barbell — a long straight bar connecting two cartilage piercings in the ear. Striking and unique — also see our page on the industrial piercing.

Materials for barbell piercings

Titanium — 100% nickel-free, lightweight, and the safest choice for new piercings and sensitive skin. Recommended by piercers worldwide.

Surgical steel (316L) — strong, durable, and low-nickel. Suitable for most people, but theoretically contains traces of nickel — less suitable for nickel allergy sufferers.

Bioplast — flexible, lightweight, and hypoallergenic. Ideal for healing piercings or for people who want to minimize tooth damage with tongue piercings.

Gold (14 carat or higher) — luxurious appearance in yellow gold, white gold, or rose gold. Choose at least 14 carat for safe use in piercings.

Popular applications

The straight barbell is standard for tongue piercings. The curved barbell fits perfectly for eyebrow and navel piercings. The circular barbell is popular for septum and tragus piercings. The industrial barbell connects two cartilage piercings in the ear — see the industrial piercing page for more info.

Barbell for nickel allergy

Do you have a nickel allergy? Always choose titanium or bioplast — both are 100% nickel-free. Avoid surgical steel if you have a true nickel allergy.

Caring for your barbell piercing

Clean the piercing daily with a sterile saline solution (NaCl 0.9%). Avoid harsh cleaning agents and do not twist the barbell during healing. Regularly tighten the balls to prevent them from coming loose. After full healing, replace the initially longer barbell with a shorter one — always done by a professional piercer.

Frequently asked questions about barbell piercings

How do I choose the right size barbell?

For a tongue piercing, 16 mm is standard. An industrial barbell is 32–38 mm. The thickness (gauge) varies per piercing — always consult your piercer for the correct size for your anatomy.

Can I replace the balls on a barbell?

Yes — the balls are screwable and replaceable with decorated or colored variants. This way, you can easily change your look without replacing the entire piece of jewelry.

Is a barbell suitable for new piercings?

Yes, especially in titanium or bioplast. These materials are hypoallergenic and promote a healthy healing process. Surgical steel is also suitable for most people.

What is the difference between a straight and curved barbell?

A straight barbell is straight and suitable for tongue and nipple piercings. A curved barbell (bananabell) follows the natural shape of the body and is ideal for eyebrow and navel piercings.

How do I clean a barbell piercing?

Clean daily with sterile saline solution (NaCl 0.9%). Avoid alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, and harsh soaps — these slow down healing.

Buy barbell piercings

Discover our range of piercings — available in titanium, surgical steel, and bioplast. Free shipping in the Netherlands. Shipping to Europe €9.95. Order now →

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