Q: If I take a piercing out for good, will there always be a little hole or mark? - Soraya M.

A: Honest answer... sometimes yes, sometimes no, and it depends on a few things you can partly control. Let me break down what actually decides it, because "will it leave a mark" really comes down to how long it was in and where it was.

How long you had it matters most. A piercing you got a few weeks ago and took out early will usually close up and fade to almost nothing. One you've worn for years has had a long time to form a settled channel, so it's more likely to leave a small mark or a faint dimple even after it closes. Your body's been holding that little tunnel open for quite a while, and it doesn't always forget completely. Where it was matters too. Thinner, softer skin like an earlobe tends to close and fade really well. Cartilage and spots that saw more tension or a bigger gauge can be a little more stubborn about going fully invisible.

And your own skin has a say too. Some people fade to basically nothing, some keep a faint dot. If you scar easily, you're a bit more likely to see a trace. None of that is you doing anything wrong, it's just skin being skin.

If a leftover mark ever really bothers you down the line, a dermatologist has options to help minimize it, so it's not something you're stuck with forever either.

The biggest takeaway here is, take one out early and you'll likely never know it was there. Wear one for years and you might keep a faint little souvenir, which honestly a lot of people don't mind at all. Either way, it's usually subtle, and it's not a reason to talk yourself out of a piercing you want now.

Q: I'm turning 31 and finally getting the piercing I wanted when I was 18. Be honest am I too old for a helix? - Katie W.

A:  No. Not even a little. And honestly, Katie, I love this question, because getting the thing you wanted at 18 at 31 instead is kind of the whole point of being 31. You actually know what you want now, and you can just go get it.

There's this idea floating around that piercings have an expiration age, like there's a window and once it closes you've missed it. It's not real. A helix looks great on people in their thirties, forties, fifties, and well beyond. Your ear doesn't check your ID. It just heals. If anything, the only age-related thing worth mentioning is that healing can be a touch slower as we get older, and that's not a reason not to, it just means you follow aftercare properly and give it its full timeline instead of rushing.

If anything, doing this now works in your favor. You're not getting it because your friends have one. You're getting it because you genuinely want it, which means you're far more likely to pick a piece you love, take care of it, and actually enjoy wearing it. That's a better starting point than most 18-year-olds have.

A couple of small things so your grown-up helix goes smoothly:

• Find a good piercer and be patient with the heal. Cartilage takes a while, often several months to a year, so give it time and resist swapping the jewelry early.

• Go quality from the start. Implant-grade titanium or solid 14K gold keeps irritation low and lets you enjoy the pretty part sooner.

• Then have fun with it. Once it's healed, a helix is one of the best pieces to build a little ear stack around, whenever you're ready.

So, you're not too old, you're right on time. The piercing you wanted at 18 is going to look wonderful at 31. It's not too late, go get it!

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!