Q: Do piercings ever migrate from things like headphones, hats, or glasses pressing on them? - Riley K

A: Yes, constant pressure can totally mess with a piercing and it’s way more common than people think. Sleeping on it, tight headphones, snug hats, or even the arms of your glasses pressing in the same spot over and over can cause irritation bumps, slow healing, migration, or in worst-case scenarios, full-on rejection. Not cute.

That’s why piercers are always yelling about not sleeping on a fresh piercing. If you’re a side sleeper, a travel neck pillow is a lifesaver. Your ear sits in the hole instead of getting crushed all night. While it’s healing, your number one job is to keep pressure off it as much as humanly possible.

Even once it’s healed, don’t totally ignore it. Keep an eye out for redness, soreness, or jewelry starting to shift. If something feels “off,” it probably is. In the meantime, swapping to looser hats, over-ear or one-sided headphones, and adjusting how your glasses sit can make a huge difference. Treat your piercing gently and it’ll thank you later.

Q: Can wearing heavy earrings really cut your ears? - Skyler D

A: It sounds dramatic, but it’s actually very real! Heavy earrings can stretch, thin, and straight-up damage your earlobes over time. Most chunky statement earrings hang from super thin wires like fishhooks or kidney wires, and when you combine a tiny gauge with a lot of weight, it basically turns into a slow-motion cheese slicer situation. Not the vibe.

This doesn’t mean you have to give up your big, bold earrings forever. It just means balance is key. Wearing heavy dangles once in a while? Totally fine. Wearing them all day, every day? That’s where problems start. Mix in lighter earrings, studs, or thicker-post styles so your lobes get a break.

If you ever notice your piercing starting to look more like a slit than a cute little round hole, that’s your sign to pause. Take the earrings out for a few weeks and let your lobes recover. Ignoring it can lead to permanent stretching — or worst case, your piercing tearing through completely. Cute earrings are great, but protecting your lobes is way cuter in the long run.

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!