Why You Should Think Twice About Getting a ‘Canyon’ Piercing
Cardi B is doing press for her new album, Am I The Drama, which already cracked the Billboard Top 10. Late last week, on Call Her Daddy, she told listeners about a time she “randomly” pierced her “ass crack” with a $13,000 diamond. “It was so cute,” she said, “And guess what? It went down the toilet.”
The piercing in question is called a “canyon,” “valley,” “sacral,” “coccyx,” or “butt crack” piercing. It’s done with dermal anchors—typically two implants placed under the skin, each with a post that comes up to hold a decorative top. You know the two little silver dots on the acetate hinge of Oliver Peoples glasses or a pair of Moscot frames? Why are those little dots randomly kind of sexy? Picture those but bigger, gleaming above the gluteal divide.
GQ couldn’t help but wonder: Are modern men pulling off a canyon stud?
To find out, we called Scott Wilkinson, owner of Piercing Vegas. He has 350 piercings, 31 years of piercing experience, and an educational series on YouTube including a video titled, “The Whole Truth—Valley Piercing.”
GQ: So is this really a thing?
Scott Wilkinson: Yes. Clients come in with canyon piercings but it is not something I offer.
Why not?
It’s not safe. Being basically right in the crack, there are germs and the skin is always moving. It’s not going to heal.
Why do people do it?
People want something nobody else has. Cardi also got a horizontal lip piercing once. That also started a crazy trend. Any time you make a kissy face, the jewelry tugs at your lip. It’s the kind of thing that only ends in a scar.
Do men get canyon piercings?
It’s a dare piercing. Guys think it’s cool because they’ll be the only one…There’s a reason you’re the only one.
Anatomically, are there any differences for men versus women when it comes to piercing that area? I’m thinking maybe men tend to have more muscle or hair? Does that matter?
Only if you’re really, really hairy, and hair is getting wrapped and pulled inside the piercing.
So men and women are equally doomed.
Hygiene is what matters most.
What about pressure from pants? Does that affect healing? Do skirt-wearers have more of a chance?
Depends on the rise of your pants and where your crack is in relation to your clothes. The piercing has to be high up enough to breathe but if that’s where your jeans rub, it will cause a problem.
In your YouTube video, you say the pain is “not too bad” just “a little bit of a pinch.”
That area doesn’t have a lot of nerves. It’s going to be a bit painful but mostly the pain will come after when it gets infected.
What’s the craziest piercing you’ve personally done?
My mandible—through the jawbone into my mouth.
Oh my god.
Do not ever do it.
So your official message to any GQ reader considering a canyon piercing is —
Don’t. The infection risk is not worth a couple cool photos. It won’t last, it won’t heal, and it’ll leave a scar.
