National Piercing Day

National Piercing Day, which is observed each year on May 16, was created simply to promote piercing, generally of the earlobe.  Stores, shops, boutiques and salons across the country offer piercing specials and other promotions on National Piercing Day.

Since ancient times, body piercings have been used for artistic expression, medical treatment and religious ceremony. In kink circles, temporary or “play” piercings can also be done for pleasure. Needles can also be arranged in aesthetically pleasing patterns; an example is shown in the photograph above, courtesy of of Video Mastery and Power Exchange.

According to The Pervert’s Library:

Play piercing, known in the body modification community as temporary piercing, is simply sticking hypodermic needles in and through the skin. Play piercing is also a form of blood play. If [the] sight of blood sickens you, play piercing is not for you.

Play piercing can take you through the entire range of human emotions and be sensual, cathartic, spiritual, erotic, and beautiful. Fortunately, it can also be about pain.

While piercing does cause pain, many people enjoy the burst of endorphins immediately afterwards. As How Stuff Works: Science informs us, endorphins are “…your own private narcotic. Endorphins are neurotransmitters, chemicals that pass along signals from one neuron to the next. Neurotransmitters play a key role in the function of the central nervous system and can either prompt or suppress the further signaling of nearby neurons.”

Learn more about erotic piercing:

“The association of erotic piercing with homosexuality, sadomasochism, bondage, fetishism, and tattoos.” Neil Buhrich. Archives of Sexual Behavior, Vol. 12, No. 2 (April 1983).

“Kink of the Week – Piercing(s) and Being Pierced.” Syrens, January 24, 2015.

“Guide to Needle Play.” Painful Pleasures, September 29, 2014.

“65 Play Piercing Ideas for Self-Expression and Spiritual Pleasures.”