What Are 15 Gauge Piercing Needles?

Tongue piercings are often done with 15-gauge needles.

There are many sizes of piercing needles available, from tiny to quite large. When choosing which piercing needle to use, it is often best to start small, then gauge (stretch) the piercing to use larger jewelry if that is what you prefer. A 15-gauge piercing needle is used to perform body piercings by a licensed professional.

The Needle

A needle is made of stainless steel and must be properly sterilized and cleaned before it is reused. The term "15 gauge" refers to the size of the needle. In body piercing, the size of the needle typically corresponds with the size of the jewelry that goes into the piercing, although there are some exceptions.

Needle Size

The smaller the gauge, the larger the needle. This is how you determine what size jewelry you will place into the pierced area. A 15-gauge needle is not a common piercing size. Normally, piercing needle sizes are even-numbered, from 18-gauge (typical earring post size) to large 8-gauge needles. The use of the hollow piercing needle to thread the jewelry into the new hole is the main reason why a piercer would choose a 15-gauge needle for a 16-gauge piece of jewelry.

Uses

Most facial piercings and other body piercings are done with a 16- or 15-gauge needle for a 16-gauge piece of jewelry. The hollow, tri-beveled piercing needle, which is a little larger than an 18-gauge earring post, but smaller than the typical 14 gauge, is versatile. The uses for a 15-gauge needle include clitoral hood piercing, nipple piercing and cartilage piercing. For clients who like a smaller, dainty facial piercing, such as the eyebrow or lip, a 16-, 15- or 14-gauge piercing needle is often used.

Choosing Gauge

Choosing the proper gauge for a new piercing entails deciding which size you ultimately want to have. It is easier to stretch a hole than to shrink one. If you pierce an area with a larger-gauged piercing needle, it may not heal well and may cause scarring and even lumps as the holes shrink to smaller jewelry over time.

References

• River City Tattoo and Piercing