Q: Can piercings get allergies later, even if they were fine at first? - Levi S.

A: Yes, you totally can develop a metal allergy later in life, even if you’ve worn jewelry forever with zero issues. It’s usually a nickel allergy, and it can show up out of nowhere thanks to stress, hormones, age, or just your body deciding to be extra for no reason. The best way to avoid the drama is to stick with high-quality metals from the start. ASTM F-136 titanium is the gold standard (well… titanium standard), and it’s what any legit piercer will use for fresh piercings. You can also look into rhodium or niobium. Both are super hypoallergenic, just a little pricier and harder to get your hands on.

Once your body decides it hates a metal, that allergy is usually forever, so it’s worth investing in safe options now. But don’t stress, not everyone develops allergies, and you might go your whole life without dealing with one. Happy piercing!

Q: What’s the biggest piercing mistake people make (that you want to scream about)?  - Willow

A: Okay, so real talk... one of the biggest problems online right now is people getting pierced without doing any research first. That’s how you end up seeing those belly “piercings” that aren’t even in the belly button (like… girl, that’s just your stomach), or anti-eyebrow piercings done with totally wrong jewelry like curved barbells. A five-minute Google search could save soooo many people from pain, money, and permanent scarring.

If you spend just a little time learning what a piercing should look like and what jewelry it actually requires, you walk into the shop confident and way harder to mess up. For example: navel piercings go in the navel... not floating above it. And anti-eyebrow piercings need surface-appropriate jewelry, like a flat staple bar or paired dermal anchors, not whatever random barbell someone has lying around.

So seriously, props for asking questions instead of winging it. Future you (and your skin) will thank you. Happy piercing!

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!