Dear Body Candy,

Hi! I'm turning 18 in a few weeks, and I'm really excited about getting my first piercing! Can't wait to get some cute jewelry from you guys! I'm going to get my belly button pierced and, in the future, I want to get some cartilage piercings and maybe a septum piercing too. I'm wondering, being heavily involved in sports (softball, volleyball, skiing, etc.) will that affect my (future) piercings? 

Thank you,

Bailey 

Body Candy: Hey Bailey,

Happy almost-birthday! You shouldn’t have any reason to avoid athletics while pierced. You just need to take a little extra care while they’re healing. Make sure you clean any healing piercings twice a day with sterile saline, and ideally one of those times should be while you’re getting cleaned up after sports. You don’t want dirt or old sweat in your piercings. Also, if you get your navel pierced, you may wish to protect with a hard, plastic eye patch. The style you’re looking for is slightly cup-shaped and will keep your piercing protected no matter how hard you play. Just remember that fresh piercings should not be immersed in water, such as a pool, ocean, hot tub, etc. You’ll also want to make sure that if you’re doing winter sports that any cartilage piercings aren’t being irritated by a hat or earmuffs. Enjoy!

Love,

Body Candy

Dear Body Candy,

 I've read before that your anatomy could keep you from getting a certain piercing. What would keep me from being able to get a septum piercing? Like how do I know if it'll be a good fit?    

- Keisha

Body Candy: Hey Keisha!

A septum piercing requires what’s called a “sweet spot” where there is a bit of space at the top portion of the septum between the skin and the cartilage. The likelihood of this not existing on your nose is theoretically possible, but not likely. We're pretty sure you'll be able to get your septum piercing. However, you would need to see a piercer just to be certain. Best of luck and happy piercing!

Love, 

Body Candy