Dermal Anchor Piercing in Mississauga, ON
At Xtremities Tattoo and Piercing, we offer dermal anchor piercing in Mississauga, ON. We also serve Cooksville, Port Credit, Streetsville, Erin Mills, and the Square One area, plus nearby Oakville, Brampton, and Etobicoke.
A dermal, also called a microdermal or single-point piercing, sits flat on the skin's surface. Unlike a stud or a ring, it has no exit point. Instead, your piercer sets a small anchor, called a foot plate, just under the skin, and a decorative top screws onto it above the surface. The result is a single gem or shape that looks set right into the skin, and a simpler one-piece version is known as a skin diver. We start you on implant-grade jewellery, and we can place a dermal almost anywhere flat on the body.
Dermals are one of our specialties, so book a consultation and we will help you plan a placement that suits you.
Call (905) 897-3503 to plan your dermal piercing.
Dermal Piercing at a Glance
Why Choose Xtremities Tattoo and Piercing for Your Smiley Piercing in Mississauga, ON?
The anchor is what holds everything in place. Your piercer makes a tiny pocket in the dermis, the layer just below the surface, then seats the foot plate inside it. Small holes in the plate let your skin heal through it, which locks the anchor down over the first few months. The top simply threads on and off, so you can change the gem once the piercing has settled.
Call (905) 897-3503 to ask our piercers about a dermal piercing.
Why Choose Xtremities for Your Dermal Piercing?
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Dermals are one of our specialties, and we place them all over the body.
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Our head piercer is APP-certified with over 15 years of experience.
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We start you on implant-grade titanium anchors that are gentle on the skin.
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We plan your placement with you, and we tell you honestly if a spot is likely to reject.
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We safely remove and replace dermals, so you are covered for the life of the piercing.
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We offer free jewellery changes, so you can switch your top once it heals.
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Our clients enjoy regular piercing discounts year-round.
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We are Mississauga's longest-running piercing studio and a Readers' Choice winner for two years running.
Call (905) 897-3503 to book a consultation.
Types of Dermal Anchor Piercing Services We Handle in Mississauga, ON
Our dermal anchor piercing services in Mississauga cover the whole journey, from planning the placement to aftercare and safe removal down the line. Dermals are a real specialty for us, and we have placed them across the body for years, so we know which spots hold well and which do not.
A dermal can sit almost anywhere the skin is flat and firm enough to hold an anchor, and these are the placements we handle most:
Cheek dermals:
Set high on the cheekbone, a cheek dermal gives a subtle, jewel-like sparkle, a little like a permanent teardrop. Cheeks move constantly with your expressions, so placement and steady aftercare really count.
Collarbone dermals:
Placed along the collarbone, these can read like a fine necklace or trace the edge of a tattoo. Many people set two or more in a row for a bolder line across the chest.
Hip dermals:
A matched pair along the hip bones sits evenly and symmetrically for a clean, balanced look. It is also a favourite way to keep a decorative navel look when a traditional belly button piercing will not heal.
Nape and neck dermals:
On the back or the side of the neck, a dermal makes a bold, visible statement. The neck bends and rubs against collars, so we place these with extra care and honest aftercare advice.
Wrist dermals:
A single-point accent on the wrist is striking, but the wrist bends and knocks against things all day, so it rejects more easily than most spots. We will tell you plainly whether yours is worth trying, or point you to a steadier placement.
Forehead and third-eye dermals:
Centred on the forehead above the brows, this is a true statement piece for anyone after something unconventional.
A dermal can also go on the chest, sternum, lower back, finger, or almost any other flat spot you have in mind. Some areas hold far better than others, so if a placement is likely to reject, we say so up front and help you choose one that lasts. That honest, placement-first approach is why people trust us with their dermals.
Call (905) 897-3503 to choose your dermal placement.
How Much Is a Dermal Piercing in Mississauga?
A single dermal at Xtremities is $60, and a dermal set is $80. Both prices include the piercing and your starter top. If you upgrade to a gold or gem top later, that is priced separately, and we run regular piercing discounts throughout the year. Call us if you would like a quote for a specific placement or a group of dermals.
Our Safety and Sterilization Standards
At Xtremities, clean and safe piercing comes first. Here is how we keep every dermal safe:
Single-use tools
We open sterile, single-use tools in front of you for each piercing, so we never reuse anything.
No piercing gun
We never use a gun, because it cannot be sterilized the way single-use tools can.
Autoclave and dated pouches
We sterilize our instruments in an autoclave and seal them in dated pouches, so you can see when each one was prepared.
Daily spore tests
We spore-test our sterilizer every day to be sure it is working.
It is the same standard that has carried us through more than 20 years without a single failed health inspection.
Call (905) 897-3503 for your dermal placement.
Dermal Anchor vs Surface vs Subdermal Piercing
These three styles get mixed up, so here is the difference at a glance:
Dermal anchor
A single-point piercing with one visible top and an anchor set beneath the skin. It has no exit point, and it is the style we do on this page.
Surface piercing
This one has both an entry and an exit point, with a flat bar that sits just under the skin between them.
Subdermal
Here, the whole piece is placed fully under the skin, the way a 3D implant is, so it is a different and more advanced procedure.
When people search for a microdermal or single-point piercing, they almost always mean the dermal anchor.
Call (905) 897-3503 to ask which style is right for you.
Does a Dermal Piercing Hurt?
Most people rate a dermal around four to six out of ten, so it is a moderate, quick pinch rather than a long, sharp pain. How much you feel depends on the spot, and fleshier areas tend to hurt less than those over bone. The piercing itself takes seconds. For the first few days, the area can feel tender and a little swollen while the anchor settles, which is completely normal. A cold compress held over clean skin takes the edge off, and it helps to avoid pressing on the spot or lying on it while it calms down.
How Long Does a Dermal Piercing Take to Heal?
A dermal usually heals on the surface in about one to three months, and it takes up to six months to fully settle around the anchor. Because it heals from the outside in, it can look ready long before it truly is, so stick with your aftercare for the full period. Clean, careful healing is also what helps a dermal last.
Aftercare Instructions
Good aftercare keeps a dermal settling cleanly and lowers the risk of rejection or infection.
What to do:
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Soak the area with a sterile saline rinse twice a day
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Keep it covered with a clean dressing for the first few days
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Wash your hands before you go near it
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Pat it dry gently with clean gauze or a paper towel
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Protect it from knocks, and try not to sleep on it
What to avoid:
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Touching, twisting, or spinning the top while it heals
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Changing the top yourself before the piercing has settled
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Makeup, lotions, and other products on the area
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Tight clothing or straps that can catch the top
See a piercer or doctor if you notice:
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Spreading redness or heat around the anchor
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Thick or coloured discharge
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The anchor rising, tilting, or showing through thinning skin
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Pain that gets worse instead of better
Call (905) 897-3503 if you have a question while it heals.
Dermal Piercing Risks and How We Reduce Them
A dermal carries real risks, and the main one is rejection, because the body slowly works a foreign object back out, much like a splinter. That is also why a dermal is long-term rather than permanent. Many last several years with good placement and care, but most reject in the end, and some within one to three years. Rejection and migration are most likely in high-movement spots, and infection or snagging can set a dermal back too.
Watch for these signs of trouble:
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The anchor rising toward the surface or tilting
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The skin over the plate getting thin or shiny
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The top catching and the anchor feeling loose
Here is how we lower the odds:
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We place your dermal on a flat spot with enough skin to hold it
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We use implant-grade anchors, which reject less than cheap metal
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We set the anchor at the right depth with a clean technique
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We steer you away from spots that rarely last
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We remove a rejecting dermal early, before it tears out and scars
Call (905) 897-3503 to book a placement that lasts.
The Dermal Piercing Process at Xtremities Tattoo and Piercing
Here is how a dermal works at our Mississauga studio, step by step. We start by finding a flat area with enough skin to seat the anchor, then talk through the look you want and how to keep it healthy. Every stage is about getting the placement and the anchor right:
Consultation
We talk through the look you want and find a flat spot that can hold a dermal. This is also where we handle ID and consent.
Cleaning and Marking
Your piercer cleans and disinfects the area, then marks the exact spot for you to approve in a mirror.
Making the Pocket
Using a single-use needle or a dermal punch, your piercer creates a small pocket in the skin for the anchor.
Seating the Anchor
We place the foot plate into the pocket so it sits flush and secure under the surface.
Fitting the Top
We thread on your chosen top, check that it sits comfortably, and take you through aftercare so you know what to do at home.
Call (905) 897-3503 to book your dermal appointment.
Book Your Dermal Piercing in Mississauga, ON With Xtremities Tattoo and Piercing
Ready for a dermal? Book yours at Xtremities Tattoo and Piercing in central Mississauga. Since placement makes or breaks a dermal, we suggest starting with a quick consultation so we can find the right spot and top for you. You will find us on Dundas Street West, just half a block west of Hurontario, and we welcome walk-ins every day.
Call (905) 897-3503 today to book your dermal piercing.
Other Body Piercings We Offer
Planning more than one piece? Explore our other body piercings:
Our Studio
Xtremities Tattoo & Piercing Studio
37 Dundas St W, Mississauga, ON L5B 1H2
(905) 897-3503
Operational Hours:
Monday to Friday: 12–9 p.m.
Saturday: 11 a.m.-9 p.m
Sunday: 12–6 p.m.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you take a dermal piercing out yourself?
Please do not. Your skin heals around the anchor, so there is no channel to pull it through, and forcing it can tear the skin and leave a worse scar. Come in and a piercer will remove it quickly and cleanly, usually with less discomfort than the original piercing.
Do dermal piercings reject?
Many do, in time. The body treats the anchor as something to push out, much like a splinter, so a dermal is more likely to reject than a standard piercing. Good placement, implant-grade jewellery, and careful aftercare all lower the odds, and we remove a rejecting dermal early so it does not tear out.
Do dermal piercings leave a scar?
Usually a small one. Once a dermal is removed or rejects, it tends to leave a mark about the size of a large pimple, and it fades over time. A clean, professional removal leaves far less of a mark than a dermal that works its way out on its own.
Can you feel the anchor under your skin?
Not really, once it heals. The foot plate is tiny and flat, and it settles into a small pocket below the surface, so most people forget it is there. You will feel some tenderness in the first few days while it beds in.
How do you clean a dermal piercing?
Keep it simple. Soak it with a sterile saline rinse twice a day and pat it dry with clean gauze. Keep your hands, makeup, and other products away from it while it heals, and never twist or lift the top. If you are unsure at any point, bring it in and we will check it.
Is a dermal the same as a subdermal piercing?
No. A dermal, or microdermal, is a single-point piercing anchored just under the skin with the top showing on the surface. A subdermal sits entirely beneath the skin, like a 3D implant, and is a different and more advanced procedure. When people search for a subdermal, they usually mean the dermal anchor we do here.