What Is a Fake Piercing? A Guide to Magnetic and Clip-On Faux Piercings

You are thinking about getting a piercing but aren’t sure how it will look on your face or ear; or you can’t always show a piercing at work, school or at home. In these situations the most searched-for solution is a “fake piercing”. In this guide we cover the types of fake piercings, how to put them in, what to watch out for and how they differ from real piercings.

What is a fake piercing?

Fake piercing is the general name for jewelry that attaches to the ear, nose or lip by pinching, magnets or a curved shape, without creating a channel in the skin. It looks like a real ring, ball or gem end, but there is no hole behind it that needs to heal. So it can be removed the same day, leaves no mark and needs no aftercare.

Types of fake piercings

1. Magnetic earrings and piercings

They come in two parts: a gem or plain front that shows, and a small magnet at the back that holds it in place. They are usually used for a Lobe or tragus look, and men often choose them to look as if they have an earring. On thick cartilage areas the magnet may not be strong enough and the jewelry can slide.

2. Clip-on (pinch) rings

These are rings that don’t fully close, with a small gap at the end. They are put on by gently pinching them onto the skin. There are different styles for the side of the nose (nostril), a septum look, the lip and the helix. Narrowing the gap too much may seem to hold the jewelry better, but it can cause pressure marks, bruising and pain.

3. Ear cuff

A curved piece that slides onto the edge of the ear cartilage; it creates a piercing-stack look, especially on the helix and conch. You can read about ear cuffs in detail in our what is an ear cuff article, and how they compare with real piercings in our ear cuff or piercing guide.

4. Adhesive and single-use styles

Small gems and decorative pieces that stick onto the face or eyebrow. They are used for costumes, photo shoots or a single event; not every skin tolerates the adhesive, so try it on a small area first.

How do you put in a fake piercing?

1. Wash your hands; make sure the jewelry and the area are clean and dry.
2. For a clip-on ring, open the gap very slightly with your fingers, place the ring on the skin and close it gently. It should be pinched just enough to stay in place; it should not throb or hurt.
3. For a magnetic style, hold the front piece where you want it, bring the back magnet up from the other side and line it up.
4. Slide the ear cuff on at the thinnest part of the cartilage and move it up into place.
5. Check in the mirror; if the jewelry sits crooked, take it off and put it back on rather than forcing it by repeatedly bending the skin.

Safety: what to watch out for

• Pressure and wear time: Clips and magnets put constant pressure on the skin. Leaving them in all day, and especially while sleeping, can cause redness and pressure marks. On long days, take them off now and then to rest the skin.
• Material: Many cheap fake piercings are made from nickel-containing alloys. If you are sensitive to nickel you may get itching and a rash; for details, see earring allergy read our article.
• Magnets and children: If swallowed, small magnets can attract each other inside the intestines and cause serious damage. Keep magnetic jewelry away from children and never give it to them as a toy.
• Medical devices and MRI: Magnetic jewelry must always be removed before an MRI scan; anyone with an implanted device such as a pacemaker should consult their doctor before using magnetic jewelry. Our article on the subject, can you have an MRI with a piercing also gives you an idea.
• Skin problems: Don’t wear a fake piercing on an area with an open wound, a pimple or active eczema.

If you notice redness, swelling, numbness or pain that doesn’t go away, remove the jewelry immediately; if symptoms continue, see a doctor.

Differences between fake and real piercings

• Procedure: A fake piercing involves no piercing; in a real piercing a channel is created in the skin with a sterile, single-use needle.
• Healing: A fake piercing has no healing period. A real piercing needs a healing period lasting from weeks to months depending on the area, plus regular aftercare (healing times by area: piercing healing times table).
• Look: In a real piercing the jewelry passes through the skin, so it looks finer and more natural; up close, fake styles can look slightly bulkier.
• Comfort: A fake piercing can press on the skin when worn for a long time; a healed real piercing can be worn all day without you noticing it.
• Flexibility: You can take a fake piercing off whenever you want; with a real piercing, leaving the jewelry out for long in the first months can make the hole shrink (do piercings close).

Fake piercings as a trial before a real piercing

One of the smartest uses of a fake piercing is testing a placement before committing to a real piercing. Trying it in different spots for a few days and seeing how it looks in the mirror and in photos, and how it works with your hairstyle, glasses or headphones, makes your decision clearer. To learn what each area of the ear is called, our ear piercing names, and for the nose our septum or nostril articles will help.

With a real piercing, the final placement is decided by the piercer based on the anatomy of your ear or face, not on where the trial jewelry sat. Showing your photos with the fake piercing when you come to the studio is an easy way to explain the look you want. To prepare, first piercing preparation checklist will be useful.

FAQ

Are fake piercings harmful?

Used correctly, they cause no problems for most people; however, very tight clips can cause pressure marks and pain, long wear can cause irritation, and nickel-containing metals can cause allergies. If redness, swelling or loss of feeling occurs, remove them immediately.

Are magnetic piercings safe?

They usually cause no problems for short-term wear; if the magnets feel tight, don’t wear them for longer. Because small magnets can cause serious intestinal damage if swallowed, store them out of children’s reach and never give them to children. Always remove them before an MRI scan.

Can you sleep with a fake piercing?

It is not recommended. Pressure increases while you sleep, the clip or magnet can shift, get lost in the bed and irritate the skin. Taking it off at night is safer.

Can people tell a fake piercing from a real one?

From a distance, usually not; up close, the gap in the clip, the back of the magnet or the way the jewelry sits on the skin can be noticed. Nose and lip clips in particular look a little bulkier than the real thing.

Do I have to get a real piercing after trying a fake one?

No, it is entirely up to you. A fake piercing is a good trial tool for seeing the placement and look. If you decide you want a real piercing once you are sure of the look, the placement should be marked in the studio together with your piercer, based on the anatomy of your ear or face.

Do fake nose rings fall out?

Clip-on nose rings stay in by pinching force, so they can fall out when you sneeze, wash your face or take off a coat. Squeezing the ring tighter is not the answer; it can cause pressure marks and pain.

This content is for general information only and does not replace medical diagnosis or treatment.