Q: What is your opinion on gold jewelry? Is it the best option or are there better metals out there for piercings? -Melinda S.

A: Gold jewelry is a fantastic option for safe, quality body jewelry. Good quality gold should have no trace metals so it’s great for people with metal allergies. It comes in different colors, which is great if you like options. (White Gold is a great choice for people who prefer silver!) And many piercers use it as an option for piercing jewelry so you can get that you look you want without having to wait through a healing period, depending on the piercing. While you will pay for what you’re getting, there’s absolutely no problem with real gold jewelry. Just remember that the lower the karat number, the stronger the metal. So, a 24-karat gold nose ring is more likely to bend than a 14-karat gold nose ring. Be kind to your jewelry and treat with love, and it will love you back…potentially for a lifetime! Best of luck!

Q: Just got my conch pierced. What can I do to keep from getting any piercing bumps or keloids? -Jaylynn

A: First of all, keloids and irritation bumps are not the same breed of animal. A keloid is an overgrowth of scar tissue. They are completely different in appearance from a bump and require treatment from a dermatologist. There is literally nothing you can do to prevent them; you can only deal with them should they happen. The risk of bumps, on the other hand, can definitely be minimized. Make sure you were pierced with proper jewelry – a conch would best be pierced with an appropriately sized labret stud. This minimizes movement within the piercing and helps aid healing. Secondly, don’t sleep on it. If you tend to sleep on that side, invest in a traveler’s neck pillow. When you sleep at night, put your ear in the central hole so that you are not putting any weight on the piercing. Finally, follow instructions. Clean it twice a day with sterile saline wound wash and dry with a clean paper towel or a hair dryer. Use clean hands for this process! And if your piercer told you to come back after a time to have your jewelry changed or to get a re-check, make sure you do. Follow these simple steps and with a bit of luck your conch piercing should be a healthy, permanent part of your look for as long as you like. Happy piercing!

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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!