You've seen them on Instagram or maybe on a friend at the beach—that shimmering bit of metal sitting right in the center of the chest. It looks incredible. It’s called a sternum piercing, though most people just search for a between the breast piercing when they’re trying to figure out if it’s actually a good idea. Honestly? It’s one of the most aesthetic placements you can get, but it’s also one of the most temperamental.
Surface piercings are a whole different beast compared to a standard lobe or even a nostril. When you get a "normal" piercing, the needle goes in one side of a flap of skin and out the other. With something sitting flat against your chest bone, the jewelry is actually living in a little tunnel just under the surface of your skin.
It’s high stakes. It’s beautiful. It’s also prone to throwing a literal tantrum if you snag it on your loofah.
The Anatomy of the Sternum Piercing
Let's get technical for a second because your anatomy dictates whether this will even work. A between the breast piercing isn't just one "thing." You’ve basically got two choices: a surface bar or microdermals.
A surface bar looks like a tiny staple. The bar sits underneath the skin, and the two decorative ends screw onto the posts that poke up. This is generally considered more stable than it used to be, thanks to 90-degree internal threading, but it still requires a decent amount of "pinchable" skin in the center of your chest. If your skin is incredibly tight over your sternum, the pressure will just push that metal right back out.
Then you have dermals. These are single-point piercings. A tiny "anchor" is tucked under the skin, and a single gem sits on top. People love these because you can do cool patterns—three in a row, a triangle, whatever. But they are notorious for catching on bra lace.
Elayne Angel, author of The Piercing Bible and a literal legend in the industry, has pointed out for years that the longevity of these piercings depends heavily on placement and jewelry quality. If your piercer tries to use a straight barbell or a curved banana bell for a surface piercing, run. Seriously. Those shapes put "outward" pressure on the holes, which is a one-way ticket to rejection.
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Does a Between the Breast Piercing Actually Hurt?
Pain is subjective, obviously. But if we’re being real, it’s more of a weird sensation than an agonizing one. Most people describe it as a sharp pressure or a "tight" feeling. Because the skin on the sternum is relatively thin, the needle goes through quickly.
The adrenaline usually carries you through the actual poke. The real "ouch" moment is the first time you accidentally hug someone too hard the next day.
Why Rejection is the Elephant in the Room
We have to talk about rejection. Unlike a belly button or an ear, your body recognizes a between the breast piercing as a foreign object much more easily. It thinks, "Hey, this shouldn't be here," and starts producing new skin cells to push the jewelry toward the surface.
You’ll know it’s happening if the skin between the holes starts looking thin, red, or shiny. Eventually, you’ll be able to see the bar through the skin. If that happens, you have to take it out. Don't wait. If you let it migrate all the way out on its own, you’re going to have a much nastier scar than if you just let a professional pull it early.
Movement is the enemy here. Think about how much your chest moves. You breathe (hopefully), you reach for things, you twist in your sleep. Every time that skin stretches, it puts tension on the piercing.
Healing and the "Dreaded Bra" Situation
Healing takes anywhere from three to six months, but it can feel "fine" much sooner. Don't let that fool you. The internal tissue is still fragile.
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Clothing is the biggest hurdle. If you wear underwire bras, you're going to have a rough time. The wire sits exactly where the jewelry wants to be. Many people find they have to switch to soft sports bras or bralettes for the first few weeks. Even then, you have to be careful about the fabric. Lace is a nightmare. A single loop of lace catching a dermal anchor can ruin your whole month.
For cleaning, keep it simple. Over-cleaning is a massive mistake people make. They think "more soap equals more clean," but really, you're just irritating the skin. Use a sterile saline wash—the kind in a pressurized can like NeilMed. Spray it on, let it crusties soften, and gently pat dry with a paper towel. No loofahs. No washcloths. No "spinning" the jewelry.
Misconceptions You've Probably Heard
One big myth is that these piercings interfere with medical procedures like X-rays or EKGs. Generally, high-quality titanium isn't magnetic, so it won't fly off in an MRI (though you should always tell the technician). For an EKG, they might have to work around the gems, but it’s rarely a dealbreaker.
Another one? "It'll never heal." While surface piercings are "long-term temporary" (meaning they might last 5 years instead of 50), plenty of people keep their between the breast piercing for a long time with proper care and the right anatomy.
How to Pick the Right Piercer
Don't go to a mall shop for this. Just don't. You need someone who understands surface tension and uses implant-grade titanium (ASTM F-136). Ask to see their portfolio specifically for surface work. If their "healed" photos all show redness or the jewelry looks like it's hanging by a thread, keep looking.
A good piercer will also be honest with you. If they pinch your skin and say, "Hey, your skin is too tight for a bar, maybe try dermals," or even "Your anatomy won't support this," listen to them. A piercer who says "yes" to everyone is just looking for your money.
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Actionable Steps for Longevity
If you're serious about getting this done, you need a game plan.
First, look at your wardrobe. If you live in tight, high-neck synthetic tops or heavy underwire, you need to buy a few loose, cotton shirts before your appointment. Airflow is your friend. Friction is your enemy.
Second, buy your aftercare ahead of time. Don't use sea salt from your kitchen; it’s not sterile and the ratios are always wrong. Get the canned saline.
Third, plan your sleep. If you're a stomach sleeper, you're going to have to learn to sleep on your back for a while. Putting the weight of your torso directly onto a fresh sternum piercing is a recipe for migration.
Lastly, watch the jewelry ends. Small, flat discs are much less likely to snag than big, prong-set crystals. You can always upgrade to the flashy stuff once the "pocket" of the piercing is established and stable.
Check for an Association of Professional Piercers (APP) member in your area. They have higher standards for sterilization and jewelry quality, which is non-negotiable for a surface piercing. Once it’s in, leave it alone. The "LITHA" method—Leave It The Hell Alone—is the golden rule for a between the breast piercing. The less you touch it, the better it will look.