The difference between surface piercing and micro dermal
Surface piercings and micro dermals are often confused, but they are procedurally and anatomically distinct. At Funky Tattoo in Piața Romană, Bucharest, we work with both variants, but always inform the client about the differences before deciding. Both are "advanced" categories and require careful evaluation of anatomy and lifestyle, since the rejection rate is higher than for traditional piercings.
The surface piercing is a perforation that enters and exits through the same flat skin surface, without traversing tissue "from one end to the other" (as the lobe or septum would). The jewellery used is a surface bar — a metal post in a "U" shape with legs perpendicular to the skin, with balls at both ends. Classic examples: anti-eyebrow, nape (back of neck), cleavage (sternum), Madison (base of the throat), hip. Surface piercings have a high rejection rate (25-40%) because the skin tends to slowly "reject" the foreign body, pushing the jewellery to the surface in 6-24 months.
The micro dermal (or dermal anchor) is fundamentally different: there's no "entry-exit" perforation, but a small metal anchor (3-4 mm) implanted under the skin, with a single exit orifice on the skin through which a decorative top (ball, gem, disc) is fixed. The anatomy is similar to a dental implant — the anchor integrates into the subcutaneous tissue, and the top is changed according to preferences. Micro dermals have a lower rejection rate than surface piercings (10-20%) and can be placed almost anywhere on the body: on the face (especially on the cheekbone, forehead, neck), chest, hands, fingers.
The micro dermal insertion procedure differs between studios. At Funky Tattoo we use the needle technique — a sterile 1.6 mm needle creates a small orifice in the skin, and the anchor is manually inserted under the skin using a special forceps. The dermal punch technique (used in some countries) is faster but more traumatic and is banned in some jurisdictions. The needle technique allows cleaner integration and a lower rejection rate. The procedure takes 5-10 minutes per anchor, and local anaesthesia with EMLA cream is optional.
Aftercare for both variants is similar: sterile saline 2-3 times a day for 4-6 weeks, without touching the jewellery, no pools or baths with soap in the first 8 weeks, and avoiding pressure on the area (tight belts, neck-strap bras for nape dermals). For micro dermals, the top must not be rotated in the first 8 weeks — the anchor is still integrating, and rotation can tear the newly formed tissue. Removing a micro dermal requires a small incision with a sterile blade and must be done exclusively by the piercer — never attempt removal at home.