A board-certified dermatologist is sounding the alarm on the growing number of hand and finger piercings on 13-year-old North West, warning that the body modifications could result in long-term complications including hypertrophic scarring, hyperpigmentation, disfigurement and potential loss of function.
Dr. Corey Hartman, founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology and an assistant clinical professor at the University of Alabama School of Medicine, shared his concerns in a new interview, specifically calling attention to the risks for patients with highly melanated skin.
“Long term, these piercings can lead to hypertrophic scars, hyperpigmentation, disfigurement and loss of function of the body part where the piercing is done, particularly in patients with highly melanated skin, like North West,” Dr. Hartman stated. He added simply: “Just don’t do it.”
North West first debuted a dermal piercing on her middle finger in September 2025 during a family trip to Rome. Since then, the teen — who turned 13 in June — has added multiple piercings across her fingers, hands and possibly wrists. Some of the piercings have shown visible signs of irritation or scarring in recent photos.
The aspiring artist and daughter of Kim Kardashian and Kanye West has leaned into the bold aesthetic as part of her creative identity. She released the track “Piercing on My Hand” and clapped back at critics in a series of TikToks, including one addressing those “mad over a finger piercing.” Kardashian has publicly supported her daughter’s choices, describing them as harmless self-expression and telling critics to let North experiment.
The piercings in question are primarily dermals — single-point anchors implanted beneath the skin — and surface piercings using barbells. Unlike standard earlobe piercings, these are considered high-risk by many dermatologists and professional piercers due to the hands’ constant movement, exposure to bacteria and proximity to nerves, tendons and blood vessels.
Experts note that hands are particularly vulnerable to infection, trauma from daily activities, migration of the jewelry and rejection. Healing can take months or even years and frequently fails in high-friction areas. For individuals with darker skin tones, the risks of raised scarring (hypertrophic and keloid) and lasting discoloration are statistically higher due to the skin’s genetic response to trauma and inflammation.
Other dermatologists, including Dr. Tanya Kormeili, have similarly advised against the trend for minors, citing potential nerve or tendon damage and the challenges of aftercare for young patients.
The story has sparked renewed online debate about parenting, celebrity influence and youthful body modification. While North’s camp frames the piercings as artistic freedom, medical professionals continue to stress that hand and finger dermals are among the most problematic placements and generally not recommended — especially for children.
As of now, representatives for Kardashian and West have not commented on the dermatologist’s warning.
