Q: I just got my belly pierced. How long do I have to wait before I can go swimming? - Skyla M.

A:  Hey! Congrats on your new belly piercing! 🎉 Navel piercings are super cute, but they can be a bit finicky to heal because your belly button is kind of a natural “trap” for bacteria. Right now, your piercing is basically an open wound, so keeping it clean is really important. Swimming is one of those things you want to be careful with because not all water is created equal:

• Pools: Chlorine helps kill germs, but it can also irritate your piercing and slow healing. Plus, pools aren’t perfectly sterile, and any bacteria can still cause infection.

• Hot tubs/spas: These are a bigger risk than pools. Warm water is the perfect breeding ground for bacteria, so your piercing is especially vulnerable.

• Lakes, rivers, oceans: Natural water might feel safe, but it’s full of bacteria and other microorganisms that your new piercing can’t fight off yet.

Most piercers suggest waiting at least 6 weeks before swimming, but if you want to be super safe, waiting 8 weeks or more is even better. And the most conservative approach? Avoid fully submerging your belly button until it’s closer to fully healed, which can take 6–12 months. Until then, showers are totally fine. Just clean it gently with a saline solution, avoid twisting or playing with it, and pat dry. I know it’s tough, but giving your piercing extra time now means it’ll heal faster, look amazing, and avoid any nasty infections. 💖

Q: I heard someone on tiktok say eyebrow piercings are high risk. What does that mean? - Kelley B.

A: So, eyebrow piercings are definitely popular and super cute, but “high risk” depends on what kind of risk we’re talking about. Compared to some piercings, like navel or tongue, they’re actually on the lower side in terms of healing time and infection risk, but they’re not risk-free.

Here’s the breakdown:

• Infection: Your eyebrow isn’t a super dirty spot, but it does get exposed to oils, sweat, makeup, and random bacteria. So keeping it clean with saline is important, especially the first few weeks.

• Migration or rejection: Eyebrow piercings can sometimes shift or reject, especially if jewelry is not the right type or the piercing isn’t placed correctly. Choosing an experienced piercer really helps prevent this. Since an eyebrow piercing is a surface piercing there is a higher chance of rejection compared to a cartilage piercing, for instance.

• Scarring: Like any piercing, there’s a chance for scarring or bumps, particularly if you irritate it or remove it too soon.

• Nerve/vein concerns: Your eyebrow area has some tiny nerves and blood vessels, so piercing there can occasionally cause extra soreness, minor bruising, or swelling... but serious complications are rare if you go to a professional.

Healing usually takes about 6–8 weeks, and during that time, avoid touching it unnecessarily and stick to gentle cleaning. Overall, eyebrow piercings are considered moderate risk, mostly because of bumps, shifting, or minor infections... not anything super dangerous.

The key is: good placement, good jewelry, a clean piercing and patience. If you treat it right, it’s low drama and totally worth it for the look! 💖

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!