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This information relates to the Vertical Clitoral Hood (VCH) piercing. If you can fit the end of an ordinary cotton swab underneath your hood then it has sufficient depth for a VCH piercing. 

Using this test I can check (at a distance) to determine if you're a candidate for the piercing. This is required in order to book a VCH piercing appointment with me.

This video shows how to do the q-tip test and the photos and text detail crucial information. PLEASE WATCH IT, AND FOLLOW THE NUMBERED INSTRUCTIONS BELOW CAREFULLY! 

If the natural overhang of skin does not cover the swab tip, you might still be pierceable if you can manually manipulate the tissue over it as shown in the video. (It won't stay down on its own, which is fine.) If the photos are not definitive, I often request a brief video be emailed to me in a second round of correspondence. You can prop up your phone right nearby to take it, so that you still have both hands available for the test: one to support the swab, and the other to manipulate the tissue.

Other considerations include an absence of vessels on the midline, and sufficient space above your hood for jewelry to rest safely and comfortably.

Note that I ALWAYS wear gloves for client contact! Images without gloves were sent to me for consultations, and are posted anonymously and with permission.

Note also that it is tricky to do on your own--but possible. Hang in there!

General Information

  1. IMPORTANT! De-fluff (remove some of the excess cotton), lubricate the swab tip with something thick--not liquidy, and mark a line where the post ends and the cottony tip starts.

  2. Include a photo of this swab against a ruler.

  3. Locate the "inverted-V" of your hood--you'll put the swab under there.

  4. Gently grasp and lift the edge of your hood on one side. This is important and really helpful! (Do NOT retract the hood--watch this maneuver in the video).

  5. Slide the swab as deep as you can under your hood (but don't push up too hard), and angle the swab so it is visible under your hood.

  6. Do not pull upward on the skin above your hood--that makes it look shallower than it really is.

Healing Time
4-8 weeks or longer

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PHOTO 1: Align the marked q-tip with a ruler so I can see the measurement. 
PHOTO 2: The lubricated swab under your hood as far as it can naturally go.
PHOTO 3: (OPTIONAL) If your hood doesn't cover the swab to the line, use tissue manipulation to move your hood down to cover. See video!

Align the marked, de-fluffed swab with a ruler so I can see the measurement
Swab next to a ruler
Locate the "Inverted-V" of the hood
The edge of the hood is outlined to show where the swab should be placed
Place the lubricated swab as far under your hood as you can without distortion
Marked swab underneath the hood with no cotton tip showing
DO NOT pull the hood tissue up; it makes your hood look shallower than it is
DO NOT pull the hood tissue up; it makes your hood look shallower than it is
Pushing too hard makes the hood appear shallower than it is
Swab under the hood pushing too hard
The same hood without pushing too hard on the swab
Hood with swab underneath without pushing too hard looks very different
Make sure the swab slides under the hood without getting hung up on the tissue
Make sure the swab slides under the hood without getting hung up on the tissue
The swab belongs under your hood (see dot) not beneath the clitoris
Swab placed under the clitoris instead of under the hood (correct spot marked with a dot)

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