Do body piercing set off metal detectors?

Answer 1

Yes, a body piercing will set off a metal detector. It also depends on the size and how many piercings you have. It depends upon the sensitivity of the metal detector you are walking through, some are more sensitive than others.

Answer 2

Depending on the amount of metal, and the sensitivity setting on the metal detector, yes. Note that metal detectors that are set to super-high sensitivity can detect small surgical pins inside the body. Airport sensors, usually set up to detect firearms, knives, etc., will typically not pick up most body piercings unless you have a very large number of them, and all are metallic. Schools are the same. Sensors in Court Houses are typically more sensitive, so they likely will pick up piercings, as will ultra-high security facilities.

Answer 3

if its the standanrd surgical steel bar no it will not.

that's like asking if your earrings will set it off. Not necessarily, but it can. The sensitivity setting of the metal detector makes a difference. Metal detectors can also detect metal surgical implants; plates, screws, and unremoved shrapnel from war wounds. According to the internet, there have been some embarrassing incidents at airports with women who wear belly rings. This contributor had to go through a courtroom metal detector without his belt on because the buckle set off the metal detector, along with pocket knife, coins, and keys. The woman in line behind me had to remove her belly ring for the same reason.

Answer 4

Post 911 we have see a lot of changes, some of them good , some of them just down right stupid. Metal detectors are geared to look for nickle, carbon steel and other magnetic metals ( metals commonly used to make knifes, guns etc. ). Body jewellery is formulated from metals that are non magnetic so they won't create or cause a reaction to the body. Here's the silly part. Most metal detectors have been re calibrated to alarm at almost every metal regardless of being magnetic or not, if the concentration is high enough the walk thru will go into alarm. If this ends up being the case and you trigger the alarm, don't count on the screening staff being understanding ( they won't be and they are not trained to think for themselves ). You will be searched again by a hand held detector ( even lower tolerance ) and everyone standing at the screening point will know you have something metallic on your person. Then it gets even more embarrassing from there. So here's the solution, remove all of your jewellery and replace it with bioplastic or PTFE retainers for your trip, these materials will not generate an alarm and you should be able to clean the detectors with no problem. We in the piercing industry have asked for some understanding and courtesy in regards to body piercings and security check points but that's like barking at the *moon ( * it's fun but it does little good in the end ).