Reality television star Kim Kardashian is confronting a new wave of public criticism concerning her parenting choices, this time centred on her eldest daughter's latest body modification.
North West's Reveal Sparks Online Debate
The controversy ignited when North West, the twelve-year-old daughter of Kim Kardashian and Kanye West, shared close-up photographs of her hand adorned with multiple jewels. The images, which were subsequently circulated by The Sun and on Reddit, clearly showed two dermal piercings embedded directly into her fingers. One finger displayed a pair of silver gems, while another featured a striking blue stone positioned in the centre of her middle finger.
This is not the first instance of the pre-teen experimenting with her appearance, but the nature of this particular modification has raised significant alarm bells among experts and the public alike.
Understanding the Risks of Dermal Piercings
Unlike traditional piercings, a dermal or surface piercing involves a complex procedure where a small, flat-bottomed anchor is surgically inserted beneath the skin to hold the jewellery in place. This method carries substantial risks, especially when performed on the hands.
According to medical resource Healthline, these piercings 'carry a high risk of complications' and demand extremely meticulous aftercare. The hands are particularly problematic due to their constant exposure to bacteria, frequent movement, and high potential for bumps and snags. These factors dramatically increase the likelihood of the body rejecting the piercing or of a serious infection setting in.
Trist'n Peterson, a professional body piercer and co-owner of Brightside Body Art in Montana, emphasised the industry's caution. 'Most body piercing businesses won't give a surface piercing to anyone under 18,' she stated, adding that such piercings are not permanent and often result in noticeable scarring when the body eventually rejects them. She confirmed that her shop would never perform a finger piercing on a minor, and that most reputable piercers would not even offer this service to an adult due to the high risk of rapid rejection.
Public and Parental Backlash Intensifies
The online reaction to North's new piercings was swift and largely critical. On social media and forum sites, users engaged in a heated debate over whether her parents should have permitted the procedure.
One critic commented, 'This is what happens when you need to be your child's best friend and not a rational adult,' while another wrote, 'I couldn't imagine giving my 12-year-old permission to have dermal and surface piercings like this, especially with the complications that come with them.'
Many focused on the potential medical dangers. 'The potential for serious injury with this piercing is so unnecessarily high. Infection, rejection, nerve damage. A 12 year old is not mature enough to care for this piercing responsibly,' argued one concerned individual. Another parent added, 'Dermal piercings at 12 on your hand is wild. I'm all for letting kids express themselves, but not this, not at 12.'
It remains unclear where North had the procedure done, or whether explicit permission was granted by Kim Kardashian or Kanye West. Some observers have speculated it may have been performed outside the United States, as the vast majority of US piercing studios adhere to a strict policy of not performing dermal implants on minors.
This incident follows recent criticism Kardashian faced for allowing North to wear a corset during a public outing in Rome. Addressing previous backlash on a podcast, Kardashian admitted she is 'still learning' as a mother, explaining that North often experiments with style to emulate her friends. She defended her approach, urging the public 'to not be judgmental and to have grace on single moms trying to figure it all out with a pre-teen.'
As of now, neither Kim Kardashian nor Kanye West has directly addressed the latest controversy surrounding their daughter's finger piercings.
