A Guide to Piercing Forceps: Types, Uses & Safety

Piercing forceps are specialized tools that stabilize tissue and guide needles during body piercing procedures. Unlike general medical clamps, they are engineered to support precision, safety, and client comfort. Their design allows piercers to secure skin firmly, reduce movement, and achieve straight, symmetrical placements.

Over time, different forceps types such as Pennington, slotted Pennington, ring closing, septum, and precision mini forceps - have become essential instruments in professional studios. By ensuring accuracy, minimizing trauma, and maintaining sterile standards, piercing forceps remain a cornerstone of modern body art practice.

What Are Piercing Forceps?

Piercing forceps are precision tools designed specifically for body piercing procedures. Unlike general medical clamps, they are engineered to hold and stabilize skin in a way that supports both accuracy and client comfort.

Their primary role is to keep the tissue in place so the piercer can insert the needle at the exact angle and location intended. By reducing movement and securing the piercing site, forceps help prevent mistakes, ensure symmetry, and maintain a higher standard of safety throughout the procedure.

Why Are Forceps Essential in Professional Piercing?

For professional piercers, forceps are more than just a convenience - they are a safeguard for both the client and the piercer. When tissue is stabilized, the piercing process becomes more predictable, which means the needle passes through cleanly and smoothly. This precision not only improves the aesthetic outcome but also minimizes trauma to the surrounding tissue.

Using forceps also shortens procedure time and makes the process more efficient, which can ease client anxiety. In short, they contribute to accuracy, safety, and professional consistency in ways that freehand piercing alone may not achieve.

What Types of Piercing Forceps?

Although the importance of forceps is undeniable, one design cannot meet the needs of every piercing. The location on the body, the thickness of the tissue, and the style of jewelry all influence which tool will deliver the best result. For this reason, experienced piercers rely on a variety of forceps, selecting each one with intention. Exploring 5 different types makes it easier to understand how the right instrument can shape both the safety and precision of the procedure.

1. Pennington Forceps

Among the most recognizable tools in piercing studios, Pennington forceps are known for their triangular tips and reliable grip. They are a staple in tongue piercings because they can hold wider areas of tissue firmly, giving the piercer stability and control during the procedure.

• Shape: Triangular tips with flat edges.
  
• Uses: Commonly used for tongue piercings due to the ability to hold the tissue securely.
  
• Advantages: Provides strong grip and stability for larger tissue areas.

2. Slotted Pennington Forceps

Building on the standard design, slotted Pennington forceps add a central opening that allows the needle to pass directly through the slot. This small but important feature ensures straighter insertions, making them especially valuable for piercers who prioritize precision in alignment.

• Shape: Same triangular design but with a central slot.
  
• Uses: Ideal for piercings where the needle must pass through the slot, ensuring straight insertion.
  
• Advantages: Reduces tissue movement and needle misalignment.
  

Slotted Pennington Forceps With Ratchet

Once the piercing itself is complete, the focus shifts from skin to jewelry. At this stage, a different tool is required - ring closing forceps which are designed to handle and secure captive bead rings without damaging them.

3. Ring Closing Forceps

Once the piercing is complete, attention shifts to the jewelry itself. Ring closing forceps are designed specifically for handling captive bead rings, gently applying pressure to close them without distortion. They are an indispensable companion to the piercing process, ensuring jewelry sits securely and comfortably.

• Shape: Rounded ends designed for handling jewelry.
  
• Uses: Used to close captive bead rings (CBRs) by gently pressing the ring into place.
  
• Advantages: Helps with jewelry placement after the piercing is complete.

Large Ring Closing Pliers

Not all piercings involve the same challenges. For example, the septum demands an especially careful approach, and that’s where specialized septum forceps come into play, ensuring accuracy in one of the trickiest placements.

4. Septum Forceps

Septum piercings require a steady hand and an even steadier guide. Septum forceps are built with a long, straight body and an open center channel, allowing the needle to pass smoothly through the ideal spot. This design minimizes the risk of crooked placement and helps maintain symmetry.

• Shape: Long, straight design with an open center.
  
• Uses: Specifically for septum piercings - guides the needle straight through the sweet spot.
  
• Advantages: Prevents crooked septum piercings, ensuring symmetry.
  

Septum Forceps

While septum forceps excel in handling larger or more complex piercings, there are times when delicacy is more important than strength. For finer work on smaller areas, mini or precision forceps provide the control and subtlety that standard tools cannot.

5. Mini or Precision Forceps

For smaller or more delicate piercings, such as eyebrows or cartilage edges, mini or precision forceps are the preferred choice. Their lightweight build and compact design give piercers greater maneuverability in tight areas, offering accuracy without overwhelming the tissue.

• Shape: Smaller, lightweight tools.
  
• Uses: Best for delicate piercings like eyebrows or small cartilage areas.
  
• Advantages: Easier to maneuver in tight or sensitive spots.
  

Safety Considerations in Using Forceps

Because forceps come into direct contact with skin and tissue, sterilization is non-negotiable. Professional-grade forceps should always be autoclaved before use, or replaced with sterile disposable versions when appropriate. Material quality also matters; stainless steel is the preferred standard, as it resists corrosion and maintains a sterile surface.

Another critical factor is technique. If forceps are applied with too much pressure, they can cause bruising or unnecessary pain. Proper training is essential to ensure that forceps are used correctly and with the client’s comfort in mind.

Professional Best Practices

The true value of forceps lies not only in their design but in how they are used within the flow of a piercing session. A skilled piercer knows that every procedure calls for the right tool - what works for a septum should never be used for a tongue, and vice versa.

That’s why most professionals keep more than one set ready, each sterilized and prepared to ensure a clean transition between clients. In busier studios, disposable single-use forceps are becoming a trusted option, offering speed without compromising safety. And when forceps are paired with careful skin marking, the result is a piercing that is as precise as it is professional.

Piercing forceps are more than instruments - they are part of the discipline and craft of body art. They turn each session into a controlled, predictable process that builds confidence for both piercer and client. Pennington forceps bring stability, septum forceps guide accuracy, and mini forceps handle delicate work with subtlety. With proper sterilization and steady hands, these tools uphold the standards of safety and artistry that define the profession.

For any piercer who takes pride in their work, choosing the right forceps is not just about equipment. It is about carrying forward the responsibility and integrity of the craft itself.