Q: What's the difference between threadless, threaded, and push pin backs? - Sveyah S.

A: Ooh, a technical one, I like it. This trips up so many people, and once it clicks you'll feel way more confident shopping for jewelry. So let's sort it out. It really comes down to how the pretty gem end attaches to the post that goes through your piercing.

Threaded backs screw together. The gem end twists onto the post like a tiny bolt, and there are actually two kinds hiding under "threaded," which matters more than you'd think:

• Internally threaded: the little screw threads are on the decorative end, so the post that passes through your skin is smooth. Gentle, comfy, and the higher-quality option.

• Externally threaded: the threads are on the post itself, so those threads drag through your piercing every time it goes in or out. Rougher on the tissue, and generally the one to avoid on fresh/healing or sensitive piercings.

The takeaway on threaded: if it screws, your best bet is usually internally threaded.

Threadless and push-in are basically the same thing, and honestly the easiest to live with. Nothing screws at all. The decorative end has a little pin with a slight bend in it, and you just push it into the hollow post. That tiny bend creates tension that holds it snugly in place, and a gentle wiggle takes it back out. "Threadless" and "push-in" are two names for this same press-and-hold system.

So why do people love threadless/push pin?

• Super smooth through the piercing, since there are no threads dragging anywhere.

• Easy to change once you get the hang of the little push-and-tug, which is great for swapping styles.

• Great for stacking and curated looks, because the ends come in so many designs.

Shop Internally threaded jewelry - click here

Shop Threadless jewelry - click here

Q: How do I know if a piercing studio is actually legit and clean? I don't know what to look for. - Mara B.

A:  Great instinct to ask before you go, Mara, because you really can tell a lot before anyone touches you. A good studio has nothing to hide, so the clean ones tend to make it easy to spot the green flags. Here's what to actually look for.

Walk in and use your eyes and nose first. A legit place looks and smells clean. Tidy surfaces, a separate area for the actual piercing, and that faint clinical smell rather than anything grimy. If the vibe feels dingy or chaotic, trust that feeling and leave. Your gut is a decent first filter.

Ask about their sterilization. This is the big one. A proper studio uses an autoclave to sterilize equipment, uses single-use sterilized needles that they open from sealed packaging in front of you, and never reuses needles. A good piercer will happily explain all of this. If someone gets annoyed that you asked, that's your answer right there.

Needles, not guns. Reputable studios pierce with a single-use needle, not a piercing gun. Guns can't be properly sterilized and are rougher on the tissue. Anywhere still using a gun for anything beyond a debate you don't want to be part of, keep looking.

Look for gloves and fresh setups. Your piercer should wash their hands, wear fresh gloves, and set up your jewelry and tools from sealed or sterilized packaging. Watching them glove up and open new equipment is exactly what you want to see.

A few more quick green flags:

• Credentials on the wall. Licenses, certifications, bloodborne pathogen training. Legit studios display this stuff proudly.

• They talk jewelry quality. A good studio starts you in implant-grade titanium or solid 14K gold, not mystery metal. If they can't tell you what your jewelry is made of, that's a flag.

• Reviews and reputation. Check recent reviews, and photos if you can find them. Word of mouth is real for a reason.

• They answer your questions patiently. The best piercers welcome a nervous first-timer's questions. Attitude about basic safety questions is a hard no.

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!