Q: Do piercings actually hurt less the more you have or does everyone just say that? - Morgan R.

A: Ha, it's a bit of both, honestly. People aren't lying to you, but it's not quite magic either.

Here's the real deal: your body doesn't build up some pain force-field from having more piercings. What actually changes is you. The first time, half the "pain" is really just fear, your brain bracing for the unknown, tensing up, imagining it worse than it is. By your third or fourth, you know exactly what that quick pinch-and-done feels like, so you relax, breathe, and it genuinely registers as less.

But the big asterisk: every spot is its own thing. A lobe is basically nothing. Cartilage, daith, nipple, they're a different conversation no matter how seasoned you are. So a "veteran" getting a tough placement can still wince, and that's normal.

The stuff that actually makes it hurt less:

• Being calm and not tensing up (easier once you've done it before)

• A great piercer with a smooth, quick technique

• Eating beforehand so you're not lightheaded and shaky

It's less that piercings hurt less, and more that you handle them better once you know what to expect. The fear fades way faster than the sensation changes. Just remember a new spot can still surprise you, and that doesn't mean you've gone soft.

Q: I took my seconds out years ago. If I want them back do I get repierced or can the old hole reopen? - Pamela J.

A:  Good news, this one's usually pretty low-drama. It just depends on how closed "closed" actually is. Here's the deal with old holes:

• If they only partly closed, sometimes there's still a little channel there, and a piercer can often reopen with a smooth taper or re-pierce right through the old spot easily.

• If they fully closed over with scar tissue (pretty common after years), you're looking at a fresh re-pierce, which is totally normal and no big deal especially for a lobe piercing.

• Either way, let a piercer handle it. Please don't try to force an earring back through an old hole at home, that's how you get an angry, bleeding, infected mess.

Honestly, a lot of people are surprised how quick and painless getting seconds redone is, especially on lobes, which heal fast and easy.

You can probably have your seconds back, there's just a chance that you'll have to get re-pierced rather than the hole magically reopening on its own. Pop into a good studio, let them take a look, and they'll tell you on the spot which situation you're in.

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!