Magic cross piercings, also known as crucifix piercings, are a unique and visually striking form of body modification. These piercings involve four separate punctures, creating a cross-like pattern on various parts of the body. The process of getting a magic cross piercing involves the insertion of four individual pieces of jewelry, each forming one part of the cross. The chosen locations for the piercings can vary depending on personal preference and anatomy. Common placements include the earlobes, upper ear cartilage, or even facial areas such as the eyebrow or septum. One of the main reasons why people opt for magic cross piercings is the aesthetic appeal.
One of the main reasons why people opt for magic cross piercings is the aesthetic appeal. The crucifix shape creates a visually intriguing and symmetrical look, which can be further enhanced with the right choice of jewelry. In addition to traditional barbells, there are also specially designed cross-shaped pieces of jewelry available, adding a unique touch to the piercing.
Adorning the D: Everything You Need to Know About Getting a Penis Piercing
Here are all the deets on the 13 different types of penis piercings and what you can expect before, during, and after the procedure.
We adorn our necks, ears, and sometimes even nips — so why not that extra special member of your bod, too?
If you feel like your joystick could use some jewelry, we got you.
A penis piercing might be done for sexual pleasure, aesthetics, or self-expression. It’s usually inserted into one of these places:
- the glans, aka the head or tip of your penis
- the foreskin (if you’re uncircumcised)
- the shaft, aka the whole length of your penis
- the scrotum, aka that handy sac that holds your testicles
Now, here are the tips you need to know for making your long john silver, mateys. (Sry not sry in advance for all the penis puns.)
Share on Pinterest Illustration by Wenzdai Figueroa and Brittany England
So, here’s what getting your pecker pierced might do for you and your boo:
For you
Piercings in the shaft or glans get stimulated when you move while masturbating or during oral or penetrative sex, which some say can lead to increased sexual sensitivity and pleasure.
The famous “Prince Albert” piercing, which legend has it was donned by the man himself (but probably wasn’t), is known to be especially pleasing.
For your partner
Some penis piercings supposedly enhance your sex life by stimulating nerves in the vagina, clit, or anus.
Supposedly, the following types of piercings may make your partner say O in particular:
- ampallang
- apadravya
- frenum
- magic cross
(More on these below.👇)
Share on Pinterest penis piercing Illustration by Wenzdai Figueroa and Brittany England
Who knew you could pierce a penis in so many places? If you want to put a hidden gem on your john, get a load of the possibilities:
- Apadravya: Pierced through the glans vertically, from top to bottom or vice versa
- Ampallang: Pierced through the glans horizontally, from left to right or vice versa
- Deep shaft: Pierced down the shaft toward the penis’s base (a variation of the ampallang, apadravya, or Prince Albert)
- Dydoe’s or King’s crown: Pierced through the ridge vertically at the penis’s head base
- Foreskin: Pierced through uncircumcised foreskin (the jewelry may be where the foreskin covers the glans or toward the shaft)
- Frenum: Pierced behind the glans, just beneath the shaft horizontally, or in many horizontal rows at the bottom of the shaft
- Guiche (perineum): Pierced through your perineum horizontally (aka the skin underneath the scrotum)
- Hafada (scrotal): Pierced anywhere on the scrotum (often in the middle aka along the scrotal raphe)
- Lorum: Pierced on the underside of the penis where the base of the shaft meets the scrotum, horizontally or vertically
- Magic cross: Pierced 2-3 times through the glans, typically with 2 barbells that cross each other with 4 beads that poke out from beneath the skin to make a cross
- Prince Albert: Pierced through the opening of the urethra (aka where the pee comes from) and comes out of the bottom of the shaft just behind the glans
- Pubic: Pierced through any part of the area by the penis base
- Reverse PA: Prince Albert but reverse — the jewelry enters the urethra and exits the top of the shaft
First things first: You gotta have a penis. ✅ From there, you might wanna talk with a pro to find out if it’s right for you. Together, you and your piercer can discuss whether a piercing might be a blessing or a prob for you and your knob.
Keep in mind that some piercings — especially those bad boys on your shaft or glans — can make peeing or using condoms somewhat of a challenge. And reiterating that BC alert: Jewelry that’s on the urethra could pierce through a condom.
And naturally, you can’t get a foreskin piercing if you have a circumcised penis.
But bad news for aspiring Daddies/Zaddies: Though the data on this is murky, a 2012 research paper says that getting a genital piercing can possibly impact your fertility. If you’re concerned, you may want to skip this one or talk with a healthcare pro about this.
Def chat with your doc about the following possibilities or associations:
- increased risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
- increased risk of condoms breaking
- urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- hurting your partner’s genitals during sex
- infections at the piercing site
- tissues rejecting the piercing
- tearing of the foreskin
- infertility
- skin cancer
As dermatologist Cory Gaskins explains, “the most serious [risk] is that it’s much easier to transmit blood-borne STIs when you have a piercing. That’s because there’s an open wound present, which makes it easy for bacteria and viruses to enter your bloodstream.”
Another risk, unfortunately, is that your new jewelry could accidentally puncture a condom. “That’s because the condom could catch on the jewelry and tear,” Gaskins says. And if that happens, there’s the risk of unplanned pregnancy or spreading or contracting an STI.
Gaskins also notes that the risk of getting a parasitic infection from the piercing is “especially true if the piercer doesn’t use sterile equipment or practice good hygiene,” so be sure to go to a reputable place and be diligent about aftercare. (More on that below. 👇)
Still prepared to put your pecker under needle pressure? (Try saying that 5x fast.)
Here’s how it’ll go down:
- Your piercer will put on sterile gloves and wash and sterilize the area.
- X marks the spot: They’ll then use a marker to mark where the needle will go through.
- Hole in one: They’ll push the needle through the entry hole and out the exit. They’ll prob ask you to take a deep breath while they insert the needle so that it goes as smoothly as possible.
- Your piercer will then use forceps to gently hold the skin while they insert the jewelry through the hole.
- They’ll clean and bandage the area.
Pain is subjective, and penis piercings are no exception. Some swear the ouch factor is 10/10, while others say it’s not bad.
Where the piercing is placed makes a big diff. For example, the glans area is thought to be much more sensitive than the foreskin.
Time to accessorize your asset! The type of jewelry you can pick from will depend on where you get it pierced. Your piercer might recommend one of the following common options:
- Circular barbell. Lucky you: A horseshoe-shaped ring with removable beads on either end.
- Captive bead ring. A circular ring with a single (removable) bead where the ends intersect
- Straight barbell. A straight, rod-shaped (ha) with a removable bead at either end
Are you titanium (David Guetta ft. Sia style), or are you more of a gold guy? Here’s what materials you’ll get to pick from:
- Surgical titanium: Hypoallergenic, aka perf for sensitive skin types
- Stainless steel: Surgical stainless steel rarely causes an allergic reaction, but keep in mind that not all stainless steel jewelry is nickel-free (but it should be at any reputable piercing shop — double check with your piercer, just in case)
- Plastic (biocompatible polymers): These are bendy, durable, and safe
- Gold: 14-karat gold is spendy, but durable and ideal for sensitive skin (say no to gold-plated jewelry, though, which can cause infections and allergic reactions)
- Platinum: Durable, sturdy, hypoallergenic, beautiful — aka basically perfect, but it’s also a *lot* more expensive and can be tricky to find
- Niobium: A hypoallergenic metal that is pretty sturdy
A penis piercing takes around 3 months to heal by some estimates. If you don’t take proper care of it, it may take longer. According to a 2005 report, it can take up to 9 months for the site to heal.
You might experience a bit of bleeding in the days following the piercing. You’ll also prob have some mild pain and swelling in the first couple of weeks.
But if you have any of the following additional symptoms, Gaskins and other pros say to consult a healthcare pro ASAP:
- large areas of redness or swelling
- burning or pain
- discharge
- skin that feels hot when you touch it
- a fever
These are signs that your piercing may be infected.
Sexual intercourse should be avoided, preferably till the wound has healed and if not, for the first few days at least. It is normal to experience pain during sexual intercourse, but this should vanish once the wound has completely healed. Under no circumstances should the healing piercing come in contact with the body fluids of others and condoms must be used at all times. However, condoms have a greater tendency to tear when the penis wearing them is decorated with magic cross piercing jewelry and that fact must be born in mind during coitus.
Magic cross piercings also hold symbolic meaning for some individuals. The cross is a powerful and widely recognized symbol, often associated with religion and spirituality. For those who identify with these beliefs, getting a magic cross piercing can be a way to express their faith and devotion in a subtle and personal manner. As with any piercing, it is crucial to consider the potential risks and aftercare involved before getting a magic cross piercing. Proper hygiene practices and a professional piercing artist are essential to minimize the risk of infection or complications. It is important to follow the aftercare instructions provided by the piercer and regularly clean the piercing to ensure proper healing. In conclusion, magic cross piercings offer a unique and visually appealing form of body modification. They can be a way to express personal style and beliefs through an intricate and symmetrical design. However, it is important to approach this type of piercing with caution and ensure proper aftercare to ensure a safe and successful outcome..
Reviews for "How to Choose the Best Jewelry for Your Magic Cross Piercing"
1. John - 1/5 stars - I recently got a "magic cross" piercing and I am extremely disappointed. First of all, it was so painful during the procedure that I almost couldn't bear it. Secondly, the healing process has been a nightmare. It has been weeks and it still hasn't fully healed. To make matters worse, the piercing itself didn't even turn out the way I wanted it to. Overall, I regret getting this piercing and I would not recommend it to anyone.
2. Emily - 2/5 stars - I had high hopes for the "magic cross" piercing, but it didn't live up to my expectations. The piercing itself was fine and the pain was bearable, but the aftercare instructions were confusing and the healing process was long and frustrating. Furthermore, the piercing didn't look as stylish as I thought it would. In the end, I decided to take it out because it just wasn't worth the hassle. I was hoping for something more unique and eye-catching, but unfortunately, this piercing fell short.
3. Sarah - 1/5 stars - I have had multiple piercings before, but the "magic cross" piercing was by far the worst experience. Not only was the pain excruciating during the procedure, but the healing process was even worse. It became infected within days and caused quite a lot of discomfort. The worst part is that the piercing didn't even look good on me. I was expecting it to be a unique and beautiful addition to my collection, but it just looked odd. I immediately regretted getting this piercing and had it removed as soon as I could.