Q: Can you tell me the size of my jewelry? How do I find out the size of my jewelry?

A: It’s nearly impossible for us to determine jewelry size with any real accuracy, through pictures. This is especially true for the length of posts or the diameter of circular pieces, Because body jewelry needs to fit precisely, we don’t offer jewelry-sizing in this group. 

 

The best way to find out the size of your jewelry is to contact your piercer/studio to see if they have a record of it. If that isn’t an option, you should see a piercer who can measure or look at your jewelry to determine the size. 

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Q: What kind of metal should I wear?

A: Implant grade material such as implant grade titanium or implant grade steel, solid 14kt-18kt gold, platinum, niobium, and glass are all safe, provided they are made well and polished to a mirror finish and wearing surfaces are free of irregularities like scratches, twisted metal, or hallmark stamps. The APP has brochures on appropriate jewelry for initial and healed piercings, which can be found by clicking here for initial and here for healed.

 

Q: Is surgical steel good?
A: “Surgical Steel” doesn’t refer to any kind of safety standard, and jewelry material that is marketed as such without any implant designation is not considered safe for long-term wear.

 

Q: What is the difference between internally & externally threaded jewelry?

A: Internally threaded jewelry consists of hollow posts that ends screw into, while externally threaded jewelry has threading on the shaft of the post, which can be damaging to the piercing channel during insertion and removal. Additionally, there are no reputable manufacturers making externally threaded jewelry. Not all internally threaded jewelry is automatically safe, but it is a good first thing to look for when shopping jewelry. This page from Brian Skellie goes further into detail and includes helpful images.

 

Q: What is threadless jewelry? Is it safe?
A: Threadless jewelry from good manufacturers is very user friendly and safe to use. It consists of a hollow post like internally threaded jewelry, but instead of being tapped for threads, there is a chamber that holds a pin, and ends have a tiny pin on the back. This pin is bent slightly to create tension, and this is what keeps the jewelry together. Instead of twisting, threadless jewelry pushes together and pulls apart. Not all threadless jewelry is automatically of safe quality, but this style is a good first thing to look for when shopping jewelry.

 

Q: How do I remove my jewelry?

A: If your jewelry is threaded, unscrew it (righty-tighty, lefty-loosey). Threadless jewelry pulls apart. Fixed rings are bent open, hinges click open, and captive bead rings pop out. If you are having trouble removing your jewelry, try to help your grip with gloves. If you are getting frustrated thinking of resorting to wire cutters, please see a piercer in person for assistance.

 

Q: Where do I buy safe jewelry?

A: Your local reputable piercer is always the best place to start when shopping jewelry. Much like buying shoes or jeans, there is no “one size” or “average size” for jewelry, so having a piercer fit you for jewelry is ideal.

Note: As the coronavirus pandemic makes it difficult to go into a studio, the next best option if you need jewelry is to support reputable studios’ online stores, or contact your local reputable pro to see if they will ship jewelry to you. A list of these can be found here.

 

Q: Where can I buy jewelry online?

A: We will always suggest supporting your local piercer instead of shopping online. However, due to the pandemic, we understand that it’s not always feasible to shop in store. Many studios will ship jewelry, and the list of reputable piercers who are active in this group has webstores.

Note: As of this version, Body Candy, Arctic Buffalo, Amazon, Spirit Adornments, Lulu’s and Urban Body Jewelry do not stock safe jewelry and we do not advise purchasing from them.

 

Q: Are hangers/weights safe for everyday wear?

A: If they’re made well, they can be. Please note that this style of jewelry is not not intended for stretching piercings. Check out the Stretching Guide for more info on stretching your ears.

 

Q: Are teardrop/square/coffin shaped plugs safe? Do they change the shape of the piercing?

A: When made well without any sharp points, teardrop plugs are very comfortable. They do not change the shape of the piercing. Coffin or square plugs with sharp points can be very irritating and even cause damage. They should be avoided.

 

Q: Is plastic jewelry better for my teeth and gums?

A: As of this version, there is no manufacturer producing plastic body jewelry that is finished appropriately to be worn long term. We do not advise wearing plastic jewelry, including Bioplast, as it can be very irritating to the area. Also, plastic is harder than gums, so it won’t help prevent damage to gums. Seeing a reputable piercer and wearing correctly fitted jewelry can mitigate the risks to oral structures, however the only way to fully avoid teeth damage is to not get an oral piercing.

 

Q: What kind of jewelry can I use to hide my new piercing?

A: If your piercing is fresh, hiding it will be very difficult if not impossible, as most fresh piercings require long jewelry to accommodate any swelling. If the piercing is healed enough, glass retainers can help for temporary concealment. Wearing subtle options like textured/matte disks that have been anodized can make a piercing look like a freckle or a mole as well.

 

Q: I’m having surgery/an MRI and can’t have metal in my piercings. What can I use to keep them from closing?

A: Glass retainers are excellent for this purpose, though they can be fragile for long-term wear.

 

Q: Is it better to get pierced with a stud or a hoop?

A: Most piercings will have an easier time healing with a stud. The exceptions to this rule are certain genital piercings, septum piercings, and daith piercings, which generally do best with ring or hoop style jewelry. Some other piercings can start with a ring; however, the ring must be large enough in diameter to allow for swelling and can still end up giving you a harder time trying to heal than with a stud. For that reason, most reputable piercers will suggest getting pierced with a stud and letting the piercing heal.

 

Q: When can I switch the jewelry in my piercing to a ring? 

A: This will vary from piercing to piercing but generally has the following timeframes:

• Nostril, earlobe: 6+ months

• Conch, tragus, helix/outer cartilage, forward helix, rook: 9+ months

• Nipples: 1 year+

• Lower lip (side or center): 4+ months

Please keep in mind that these are bare minimum dates, and if your piercing is still healing or is irritated, switching it from a straight piece to a ring will almost always make things worse. There is nothing wrong with waiting as long as possible to switch to a ring, and it is best to see a piercer to have them evaluate whether your piercing is healed enough to switch, and to size your jewelry appropriately.

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Q: Are nose bones okay? Why does mine hurt to change?

A: Nose bones are a pretty flawed design in that they force the wearer to pull a part of the jewelry through the piercing that is larger than the piercing channel itself. In the rigid tissue of the nostril, this is quite painful and can do damage to the piercing site. We do not advise wearing nose bones for this reason.