What is the best type of jewelry for a new piercing?
When your body piercings are still healing the area around them is tender. You want to use jewelry that doesn’t move around too much and isn’t likely to catch on anything. Styles often recommended for a fresh piercing include barbells (straight, curved or circular), studs, or fixed bead rings. Jewelry for initial piercings should be made of material that will not react with the body, like titanium or surgical steel.
How do I know what size of jewelry to get for my piercing?
There are two main points to take into consideration when measuring body piercing jewelry: the first is the gauge and the second is the size. The gauge, quite simply, is the thickness of the bar which is inserted through your piercing. The size relates to the length of a barbell or the internal diameter of any kind of piercing ring.
Everyone's body is different, and sometimes piercers will use different sizes and gauges depending on your body or the type of body jewelry you want to wear. To measure your current jewelry it's best to use a caliper, but usually a ruler will do as well.
What you will find below are the standard gauges and lengths or diameters used by professional piercers. If you are unsure of what size piercing jewelry to get, we recommend calling or visiting your piercer to ask them.
|
Piercing
|
Gauge
|
Length / Inner Diameter
|
|
Belly / Navel Ring
|
14G
|
10 mm, 12 mm
|
|
Nose Piercing
|
20G, 18G
|
6 mm, 8 mm
|
|
Tongue Piercing
|
14G
|
8 mm
|
|
Eyebrow Piercing
|
16G, 14G
|
6 mm, 8 mm, 10 mm
|
|
Industrial Barbell
|
14G, 16G
|
12 mm - 25 mm
|
|
Labret Lip Rings
|
14G, 16G
|
6 mm, 8 mm, 10 mm
|
|
Monroe Piercing
|
16G
|
6 mm, 8 mm, 10 mm
|
|
Nipple Piercing
|
14G
|
10 mm, 12 mm, 14 mm
|
|
Tragus
|
16G, 18G
|
6 mm, 8 mm, 10 mm
|
|
Helix
|
16G, 18G
|
6 mm, 8 mm, 10 mm
|
|
Rook
|
16G, 18G
|
6 mm, 8 mm, 10 mm
|
|
Conch
|
16G, 18G
|
10 mm, 12 mm
|
|
Daith
|
16G, 18G
|
6 mm, 8 mm, 10 mm
|
|
Septum
|
16G, 14G
|
8 mm, 10 mm, 12 mm
|
|
Ear Lobe Piercings
|
20G, 22G
|
6 mm, 8 mm
|
Can I change my own piercing jewelry?
First, make sure your piercing is healed! You shouldn't change the jewelry in an unhealed piercing because it will delay the healing process.
Wash your hands before you start! On top of your hands being clean to touch your piercings, washing them eliminates any oils that make the jewelry slippery. Even better if you have a pair of disposable gloves.They provide grip on the slippery metal and will save you a lot of frustration. Needle nose pliers are also a useful tool to have beside you when changing the jewelry.
Wash your new jewelry as well! You can wash it with antibacterial soap and warm water just like your hands. Be sure to rinse it well, but leaving it slightly wet with warm water will help it slide in easier.
Find your location. Where do you have good lighting, the ability to get your ear or nose close to a mirror, and the ability to be comfortable for as long as it takes.
Remember that you don't have to change your jewelry on your own! Your piercer should be more than happy to help you out with a jewelry change, so you shouldn't be afraid to seek their help.
How do I take care of my new piercing?
The first month is crucial to making sure it heals properly. Keeping your new piercing clean and cared for lessens your risk for infection or other complications. No matter what type of piercing you get, the same best practices apply:
- Clean your piercing when you do other regular hygiene habits. Clean it when you brush your teeth or take a shower to give yourself a gentle reminder every day.
- Wash your hands. Wash with warm water and gentle soap before you touch your piercing to avoid introducing bacteria to the area.
- Clean with a clean cotton pad or swab dipped in salt solution. You can make this solution by mixing 1 teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water. Use this around the pierced area a few times a day to remove any bacteria.
- Dab (don’t wipe) the piercing. Dry with a clean towel or tissue so you don’t damage the tissue while it’s healing.
- Avoid using perfumed soaps. Clean the skin around the piercing with a mild antiseptic soap and water.
- Clean the pierced area whenever you take the piercing out. This includes when you put it back in, too. Bacteria can quickly get on jewelry when you expose it to the air or set it on a surface like a counter or table.
- To properly clean body jewelry, take the piercing out and drop it in a bowl of warm water mixed with antibacterial soap. Let the jewelry soak for about 3 minutes, then rinse it in hot water. If the jewelry looks clean, dry it off with a paper towel before putting it back in the piercing.
- Don’t lie on the pierced area for long periods of time. Sleeping or lying down on your piercing can trap moisture or bacteria in the area, increasing your risk for infection.
- Don’t get any hair or body products in the piercing area. Be careful when you use shampoo, soap, gel, pomade, hairspray, or other products that can get near the piercing and irritate the tissue.
- Watch out for any abnormal or discolored discharge. See your piercer or doctor right away if you notice any unusual discharge as it might be a sign of an infection.
I have an allergy, is your jewelry hypoallergenic?
When people are allergic to nickel, they’ll develop a rash right at the site of contact. With time, that rash may spread. There are strategies to help protect you against the nickel, such as using barrier coatings or metals, or wearing nickel-free jewelry.
You can paint on a lacquer, like a clear nail polish, to provide a barrier to the release of nickel. Eventually the lacquer wears off, so you'll have to reapply it periodically. You can also purchase jewelry that does not contain nickel. Some of our jewelry is made of titanium or surgical steel that is nickel-free and hypoallergenic.
What should I do if I have a reaction to my piercing?
Piercings can result in infection, and since symptoms overlap, it can be difficult to tell the difference between an infection and an allergic reaction. Both conditions can cause swelling, redness, warmth, itching, and burning.
More often than not, what many people think of as an infection or an allergic reaction is actually the result of irritation. Some common causes of irritation are touching or playing with your piercing, wearing overly restrictive clothing, applying pressure during sleeping or phone use, or other actions or activities that bump, twist, pull at, or put undue pressure on your piercing.
If you do suspect an infection, the best way to keep it from getting worse is to apply an antiseptic or hot salt water. It is always possible for your body to react adversely to foreign substances introduced to it, including metals or cleaning solutions. When using quality, implant-grade jewelry and appropriate cleaning solutions, allergic reactions are rare. Of course, in the event of a serious infection or allergic reaction you should see your doctor, so he or she can advise you on the best course of treatment.
How long will your jewelry last?
It mainly depends on the material from which it is made. If it is a simple design made exclusively from titanium or surgical steel, it can last a very long time. However, in more complex jewelry designs, it is often combined with softer metals that are of lower quality, such as brass or copper, which oxidize over time. In this case, the lifetime of the jewelry is usually up to 6 months, after which it needs to be replaced. Gold-plated jewelry lasts for approximately 2 years before the gold plating starts to tarnish and wear down. The longevity of the jewelry also depends on whether it's cared for properly.
I want to make a bigger order!
If you’re a professional piercer, looking to affordably stock your shop with a wide variety of high-quality jewelry for your clients to choose from, or if you’re a piercing enthusiast shopping for your personal collection, we are proud to provide you with great selection of piercing jewelry, all at low and affordable prices. If you'd like to make a bulk order, please contact us directly via an email or a contact form, and we will offer you a discount depending on the size of your order.
