Q: Can I change my jewelry if my piercing looks healed, but it’s only been a month? - Payton

A: To be honest, you definitely can’t switch your jewelry that early. Even if your piercing looks healed on the outside, the inside is still super fragile and full of new cells trying to form a solid fistula. Changing things too soon can totally mess with that process and cause irritation bumps, swelling, or set your healing way back.

And just to be real with you, no piercing is fully healed in a month. Not a single one. The only time it’s okay to swap jewelry early is if your piercer specifically told you to come back for a downsize, and even then they should be the one doing the change. Trust the process, give your piercing time, and your future self will thank you. Happy healing!

Q: Should I twist my piercing to keep it from “sticking”? (my mom said that’s what she did, but my piercer said not to) - Kyla J.

A: Please listen to your piercer on this one they know what they’re talking about. Your mom means well, but she’s giving you super outdated advice. Back in the day, people thought you had to twist your jewelry or your skin would, like, grow onto it. But that’s totally not how it works. Modern piercing jewelry, titanium, real gold, all that good stuff, is non-porous, so your skin literally cannot attach itself to it.

Twisting your jewelry actually does way more harm than good. It disrupts all the delicate new cells forming inside your fistula, which slows healing, causes irritation bumps, and can make your piercing way more uncomfortable than it needs to be.

If your mom keeps insisting you twist it, you can totally pull up some legit piercing resources online and show her how things have changed. Modern aftercare is all about leaving it alone, keeping it clean, and letting your body do its thing. Happy piercing!

Disclaimer: Body Candy is only here to give you fun and helpful advice and information when it comes to getting pierced. Always consult a professional piercer to make sure a new piercing is right for you!