Hafada Piercing FAQ - Info by APP Certified Piercers in NYC

A diagram illustrating a hafada piercing, showing a single ring pierced through the loose skin of the scrotum.

Clementine Piercing offers Hafada piercings in NYC. Johnny Pearce, one of the world's top rated and most trusted piercing professionals, holds tenure at Clementine Piercing in NYC—making it an excellent option for trusted piercing services.

Look for professional, APP-certified piercing studios with:

  • Experienced piercers familiar with genital piercings.
  • Strict hygiene and sterilization protocols.
  • Positive client reviews and portfolio examples.

Please feel free to use trusted resources like the “Find a Professional Piercer” search function on the Association of Professional Piercers website.

No, the testicles themselves cannot be pierced as this would be extremely dangerous. However, you can get the skin of the scrotum pierced, commonly referred to as a hafada piercing or sometime just scrotum piercing. (Also potentially consider researching trans‑scrotal piercings)

A hafada piercing is a piercing on the skin of the scrotum, usually placed along the sides or near the base of the penis. It is purely decorative and does not pass through any internal structures.

  • The area is prepped thoroughly via rubbing alcohol or povidone iodine.
  • A professional piercer marks the appropriate entry and exit points with a single‑use sterile surgical marker.
  • The area is pierced using a sterile, single‑use, disposable needle, sometimes braced by a NRT or other various instruments.
  • The piercer will then install sterile, implant‑certified barbell through the newly created piercing channel and threads on the bead.
  • Extreme precision is required.

    • Healing typically takes 2 to 4 months, though healing time varies based on individual anatomy, jewelry choice, and adherence to proper aftercare.

    • Gently rinse with water while you shower. Use sterile saline solution/wound wash spray as needed.
    • Avoid harsh soaps, alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or antiseptics.
    • Gently rinse with water while you shower. Use sterile saline solution/wound wash spray as needed.
    • Abstain from sexual activity surrounding the piercing site for at least 6‑8+ weeks to prevent irritation or infection.
    • Avoid any touching, twisting, or playing with the piercing site or jewelry.
    • Wear breathable, loose‑fitting underwear to minimize irritation.
    • Avoid harsh soaps, alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or antiseptics.
    • Do not remove the jewelry during healing unless advised by a professional.

    Yes, but only after it has fully healed. During the healing phase, sexual activity should be avoided or modified to prevent contact, irritation, bacteria exposure, and prolonged healing time. Barrier protection is recommended.

    If multiple hafada piercings are done at once, healing may take slightly longer, and proper aftercare becomes even more important to prevent irritation or infection.

    Pain levels vary for each individual, but most describe it as moderate. The scrotal skin is thin and flexible, making the piercing relatively quick compared to piercings through dense tissue.

    It’s impossible to rank piercing by pain in a way that others can consistently compare, just because pain experiences vary so greatly from individual to individual. In my experience, a hafada piercing is less painful than piercings like the Prince Albert, Apadravya, or Ampallang, but more sensitive than a frenum piercing due to the piercing being in the scrotal skin.

    A common size for the initial jewelry is 10 gauge, though some piercers may use 8 gauge for a more stable healing process.

    The best jewelry options are:

    • Captive bead rings (CBRs)
    • Straight barbells
    • Circular barbells

    All jewelry should be implant‑certified titanium, niobium, or solid gold to minimize irritation.

    Once healed, jewelry options can be customized, but heavy or large pieces may cause migration over time.

    Yes, potential risks include:

    • Infection if aftercare is neglected
    • Migration or rejection if the jewelry is not suited to your anatomy
    • Irritation from friction (tight clothing, sexual activity, or frequent movement)

    Migration is possible, especially if thin jewelry or low‑quality materials are used. Choosing the correct gauge and implant‑certified jewelry helps prevent this.

    Risks associated with scrotal piercings include:

    • Infection from improper aftercare
    • Swelling and tenderness during the healing process
    • Friction irritation from tight clothing or movement

    No, piercing the testicle itself is extremely dangerous and is not a service performed by professional piercers. All genital piercings target external skin, not internal structures.

    During healing, you may experience mild discomfort from friction with clothing.

    Common male genital piercings include:

    • Prince Albert (PA) – Pierces the urethra and exits under the penis
    • Frenulum – Small piercing under the shaft
    • Apadravya – Vertical piercing through the head of the penis
    • Ampallang – Horizontal piercing through the head
    • Lorum – A low frenum piercing at the base of the penis
    • Guiche – Piercing in the perineum (taint)
    • Hafada (Scrotum Piercing) – Decorative surface piercing on the scrotum

    A scrotal ladder is a series of multiple hafada piercings placed vertically along the scrotum, often using barbells or captive bead rings for an ornamental effect.

    Hafada, frenum and lorum piercings do not affect urination as they are placed on the scrotum or at the base of the penis, away from the urethra.

    A transscrotal is an advanced body modification where a larger tunnel is created through the scrotum. The more successful versions of this are done using methods and techniques that are not offered by most body piercing studios.