What could go wrong with a piercing?

1. Bleeding

• It’s normal to see some bleeding a needle is going through your skin, after all.

• Some areas, like the tongue or cheeks, are more vascular and prone to heavier bleeding.

• Even piercings that go perfectly (like a septum or helix) can bleed more than expected.

• A skilled piercer helps minimize this risk by avoiding major blood vessels.

2. Swelling

• Swelling ranges from barely there to seriously noticeable.

• Oral piercings (tongue, lip, philtrum) often swell enough to impact eating and speaking.

• Cheek piercings may go through cycles of swelling throughout the healing process.

• Expect to need multiple jewelry changes and budget for them.

3. Bruising

• It’s common for piercings to leave some bruising in the days after the procedure.

• Piercings near the eyes (eyebrow, bridge, anti-eyebrow) can cause full-on black eyes.

• If you have a big event or photos coming up, you may want to wait before getting facial piercings.

4. Scarring

• All piercings leave scars the question is how noticeable.

• Retired piercings leave small marks; infected or irritated ones leave more visible scars.

• Keloids (thick, raised scars) can develop and usually require professional removal.

• Non-keloid scars can be treated at home with topical creams and SPF, but they won’t fully disappear.

5. Migration & Rejection

• Migration: Jewelry shifts from its original position (e.g., a tragus piercing slowly moves).

• Rejection: Your body pushes the jewelry out entirely. You might see the bar under your skin.

• Both often require jewelry removal and leave scarring.

• Can be triggered by: Trauma (bumping or snagging), Poor placement, Your body rejecting a foreign object

• Dermals are especially prone to long-term rejection, which is why they're considered temporary.

6. Infection

• The most serious risk. Look out for: Redness, heat, swelling, Oozing thick yellow or green pus, Fever or feeling ill

• Do not remove the jewelry it can trap the infection under your skin.

• Skip your piercer or TikTok advice go straight to a medical professional.

• Infections near the eyes or mouth are especially urgent, but any infection warrants treatment.

Welcome to BodyCandy.com, a small, family-owned business that has been offering high-quality, affordable jewelry since 2002. We take pride in crafting unique pieces that cater to every style, from navel rings to septum rings to faux piercing jewelry, all designed with care and attention to detail. As a close-knit team, we design much of our jewelry in-house, ensuring that each item meets our high standards of craftsmanship and durability. Whether you're looking for something bold, subtle, or custom-made, BodyCandy is dedicated to providing exceptional jewelry that doesn’t break the bank. Thank you for choosing us as your go-to destination for all things jewelry!