Airport Security Scanners And Nipple Piercing Detection

Many people with nipple piercings worry about setting off metal detectors at the airport. However, most people with piercings can pass through metal detectors without any issues. Metal detectors are designed to detect threats like guns, knives, and explosives, not small pieces of harmless body jewellery. If you do get pulled aside, you can opt for a visual inspection by a TSA agent or a quick pat-down.

TSA policy on nipple piercings

Travelling through an airport with nipple piercings can be a nerve-wracking experience, especially if you're concerned about your piercings setting off the metal detector. However, most body jewellery is small and harmless and will likely pass through the detector without any issues. Metal detectors are designed to detect actual threats like guns, knives, and explosives, not small items like piercings, wires in bras, or pens in pockets.

If you have a new piercing, it is recommended that you do not remove the jewellery. If you are required to remove it to pass through security, contact a professional piercer for help putting it back in. In the United States, if your jewellery does trigger the metal detector, you can request a visual inspection by a TSA agent of your preferred gender as an alternative to removal.

To avoid drawing attention to your piercings, consider replacing your jewellery with clear bioplast retainers or "staple" style septum rings, especially when travelling to places where piercings are uncommon or considered taboo. Alternatively, you can opt for non-metallic jewellery made from glass, silicone, stone, wood, or bioplast.

If you are travelling with multiple piercings or large jewellery, you may be more likely to set off the metal detector. Keep in mind that handheld metal detectors are often more sensitive than the walk-through detectors. In rare cases, heavily pierced individuals have reported being subjected to strip searches or being required to remove their jewellery before boarding a plane. To avoid this, do not wear or carry long, spike-style jewellery, as it may be considered a weapon.

Metal detectors vs. body piercings

Metal detectors emit an electromagnetic field that flows until it comes across something metallic. The metal object disrupts this flow in different ways—depending on its size and type—and the detector is designed to give an audible signal when the field is disturbed. Security metal detectors are used to look for dangerous objects like knives, guns, explosives, and other weapons that could threaten people's safety.

Metal detectors can be adjusted to determine how sensitive they are based on the level of security needed. If they are set to be oversensitive, they can result in false alarms triggered by harmless metals. Therefore, most metal detectors are not put on a high alert setting, as this would congest areas at large public events and make the job of finding threatening objects close to impossible.

Body piercings are usually made of metal and, therefore, have the potential to set off metal detectors. However, most body piercings are small and harmless and are unlikely to trigger the alarm. People with multiple piercings or large jewellery may be more likely to set off a metal detector, but even this is not guaranteed.

Most airports nowadays use full-body scanners instead of metal detectors. These scanners can detect objects on or inside a person's body and an operator will see an image of the person's body, which may include piercings. However, the operator will likely not be concerned about small body piercings and will be more focused on finding dangerous weapons.

If you are worried about your piercings setting off a metal detector or being seen during a full-body scan, you can try removing your jewellery beforehand or replacing it with plastic, glass, silicone, stone, or wood alternatives. However, it is not recommended to remove new piercings, as this can cause the piercing to close up.

Walk-through vs. handheld scanners

Metal detectors, backscatter X-ray machines, millimeter wave scanners, and cabinet X-ray machines are all used by airport security systems to ensure the safety of passengers. While metal detectors use magnetic fields to identify metal objects, backscatter X-ray machines use very low-energy X-rays to detect threats such as weapons or explosives.

Millimeter wave scanners, on the other hand, emit far less energy than a cell phone and are used to detect hidden threats like guns and knives. These scanners are considered safe for everyone, including pregnant women, as they use non-ionizing radiation with low energy. If an object is detected, it will appear on the screen with a generic body outline to indicate its location.

Handheld scanning wands are also sometimes used by airport security staff and are considered safe. If you have safety concerns or feel uncomfortable using a full-body scanner, you have the option to refuse and request a thorough hand search in a private room. This alternative check will take much longer, and you may be asked to remove some clothing.

While most body jewelry is small and harmless, it is advisable to remove it if possible before passing through airport security. If you are unable to remove your jewelry, be aware that it may trigger the security scanners, and you may be subjected to a quick visual inspection by a TSA agent.

Ultimately, the decision to use a walk-through or handheld scanner depends on your personal preference and comfort level. If you are concerned about your nipple piercings being detected, you can opt for a handheld scanner, which will allow for a more discreet inspection by a TSA agent.

Private inspections

If you are worried about the prospect of removing your nipple piercings in public, you can opt for a private inspection. If your piercings do set off the metal detector, you will be pulled aside and asked to undergo a further inspection. You can then request to be taken to a private room to be examined by a security officer of your gender.

If you are travelling with family or friends who are unaware of your piercings and you are concerned about them finding out, you could consider wearing non-metallic jewellery, such as those made from glass, silicone, stone, wood, or bioplast. However, if you are worried about the potential effects of radiation from the scanners, you may prefer to opt for a pat-down inspection.

It is important to remain calm and cooperative during the security screening process. Although it may be a nerve-wracking experience, security officers are not there to judge you and are simply doing their jobs to ensure the safety of everyone on the plane.

Non-metallic piercings

If you're concerned about your nipple piercings setting off metal detectors at the airport, you can opt for non-metallic jewellery. Non-metallic piercings are made from materials such as glass, silicone, stone, wood, or bioplast. These materials are non-ferrous and have low electrical conductivity, making them less likely to be detected by metal detectors.

Biocompatible polymers, or plastics, are a non-metallic option that can guarantee that a metal detector won't be triggered. You can also find non-piercing nipple jewellery made from materials such as stainless steel, silver, or gold. These options typically use clamps or clips instead of traditional piercing methods.

It's important to note that removing nipple piercings can be painful and may increase the risk of infection, especially if the piercing is fresh. Additionally, nipple piercings can close up quickly, so removing them may make it difficult to put them back in. If you choose to remove your piercings, ensure you clean them thoroughly before and after to avoid any issues.

Frequently asked questions