Body piercing is traditionally done by pushing a needle through a body part and inserting a piece of jewellery. The ears are the most commonly pierced sites, but other sites include the eyebrows, nose, lips, tongue, nipples, navel and genitals. The healing time required for a body piercing may vary widely according to placement, from as little as a month for some genital piercings to as much as two full years for the navel.
Inklaid body piercing practices emphasize the use of safe body piercing materials, to minimise some risks, including allergic reaction, infection, excessive scarring and unanticipated physical injuries.