Q: Why does my nose piercing smell bad sometimes? - Sicily P.
A: Don't panic, because this is actually super common! What you are smelling is affectionately known in the piercing community as "piercing funk." Because your nose ring sits right inside your nostril, you catch the scent a lot easier than you would with an ear piercing. It doesn't mean you are dirty or that it’s infected, it’s just your body doing its thing.
This happens because of a natural buildup of sebum, dead skin cells, and sweat. Since non-porous jewelry materials like metals or acrylics don't let the piercing site breathe, that buildup gets trapped. Normal, harmless bacteria then break down that trapped organic matter, which creates that weird "cheesy" smell.
Luckily, it is an easy fix! You can give it a quick spray with a saline aftercare solution (I've linked BodyCandy's all natural aftercare spray below) a few times a week during your regular skincare routine. If your piercing is 100% healed, take the jewelry out occasionally and wash it with warm water and gentle, unscented soap. Finally, think about upgrading your metal. Low-grade metals can react with your skin and make the smell worse, so try switching to high-quality implant grade titanium or 14k gold to stay way fresher. A little extra rinse in the shower will have you feeling fresh in no time!
Shop 100% natural piercing aftercare spray >
Q: What is the difference between an internally threaded and a threadless post? - Maya L.
A: Hey Maya! This is such a great question because choosing the right setup makes a world of difference for your piercings. Both styles are amazing, super safe, and much healthier for your skin than old-school, scratchy external threads, but they work totally differently.
An internally threaded post works exactly like a tiny nut and bolt. The barbell post is completely smooth on the outside with a hollow, threaded hole at the tip. The decorative top or ball has a tiny screw sticking out of it, which you twist directly into the post to lock it down. Because the threads are hidden inside, the bar slides smoothly through your skin without any scratching. These are incredibly secure and stable, making them the absolute best choice for larger, heavier jewelry designs or piercings that move around a lot.
A threadless post, which people also call push-pin or press-fit jewelry, uses tension instead of screws. The post is just a smooth, hollow tube. The decorative top has a straight, smooth pin sticking out of it. To secure it, you give that tiny pin a very slight bend right in the middle and push it into the post. That little bend creates a tension lock that holds the top tightly in place. Threadless jewelry is a total game changer if you have long nails or get frustrated trying to twist tiny metal balls, plus it makes swapping out your look a five-second job.
If you are trying to decide between the two, think about how often you like to switch things up. Threadless is incredibly convenient for mixing and matching your ear curation on the fly, while internally threaded is your go-to for maximum, heavy-duty security.
14G Gold Tone Whimsical Daisy Flower Industrial Barbell 38mm
Black Prong Set Gem Internally Threaded Eyebrow Ring
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!
