How to Change Your Piercing Jewellery, A Handy Little Guide

It is pretty exciting to move from old piercings to new trendy piercing jewellery designs. Consider it just swapping out the old statement and wearing an entirely new one.  

Whether you've just gotten comfortable with your new piercing or you're ready to experiment with your style, knowing how to change your piercing jewellery safely and properly is crucial.

This guide will help you switch up your look without the hassle or worry.

Let's dive into all the best piercing tips for keeping things smooth and stylish.

Exactly When to Change Piercing Jewellery?

Before you all heat up to change the jewellery, know when it is the safest to do so. The healing time for each piercing piece of jewellery is different, and when you don't consider this factor, it might end up irritating.

Here's a quick rundown of piercing healing times:

• Ear lobe piercings: 6-8 weeks
• Cartilage piercings (helix, tragus, rook, conch): 6 months to 1 year
• Nose piercings: 4-6 months
• Belly button piercings: 6 months to 1 year
• Lip piercings: 6-8 weeks
• Tongue piercings: 4-6 weeks

Don't mess with your piercing jewellery until you find it completely healed. If in doubt, check with your piercer.

Clean Everything First (Seriously)

Now, let's come down to the process of changing body jewellery and how to keep it safe. Once your jewellery is healed, you might want to clean everything. With everything we mean, the new jewellery itself, your tools, and don't forget your hands. These need to be fully cleaned and thoroughly washed. Why? To avoid any dirt and debris causing infection. You can make a saline solution at home by simply stirring some water with salt. It works like magic to clean your piercing point and the jewellery.

They are keeping things clean and fire up jewellery swaps with zero stress or irritation.

Removing the Old Piercing Jewellery

Now for the tricky part, taking out the old jewellery. If you've never done this before, don't worry. It's not as hard as it seems. Just follow these steps:

• Relax and Take Your Time: You don't want to rush this part. Sit down somewhere comfortable with a good mirror.
• Unscrew Gently: If your jewellery is threaded, hold the back part of the jewellery steady (for things like studs) and gently unscrew the front part. For hoops, find the opening and twist it open carefully.
• Don't Force It: If the jewellery doesn't come out easily, stop and give it a rest. Forcing it can lead to unnecessary pain. If you really struggle, you might need a professional piercer.

Once you've successfully removed the old piece, you can move on to the fun part: putting in your new piercing jewellery.

How to Insert Your New Piercing Jewellery

Switching in new jewellery is exciting, but it can be a little tricky if you're doing it for the first time. Here's how to make the process as smooth as possible:

• Make sure the new jewellery is the right size for your piercing. The wrong size can cause irritation or even damage to your piercing.
• If you're changing piercings in tricky spots like your nose, ears, or cartilage, have a mirror nearby to help guide the jewellery into place.
• For threaded jewellery, gently screw the jewellery into the hole without forcing it. If it's a hoop, open it up just enough to slip through your piercing and close it gently.
• Taking it slow helps avoid damaging the piercing or causing pain.

Types of Piercing Jewellery You Can Switch To

Whether you're going for something trendy, classic, or fun, here are a few popular types of piercing jewellery to consider:

• Studs: Perfect for ear lobe piercings or simple nose piercings, studs are simple and easy to wear. You can find them in a range of designs, from minimalist to gem-studded.
• Hoops: Ideal for a stylish yet casual look, hoops work for cartilage piercings, nose piercings, and more.
• Barbells: Often used in tongue, nipple, or industrial piercings, barbells come in both straight and curved designs. They're perfect for more adventurous styles.
• Clickers: These are fantastic for septum or daith piercings. Clickers have a hinge mechanism that makes them easy to open and close.
• Huggies: These small, tight-fitting hoops are great for a delicate and subtle style. They're perfect for helix or conch piercings.

Post-Jewellery Change Care

After you've changed your jewellery, you'll want to continue piercing aftercare.

• Clean the Piercing Again: Once the new jewellery is in place, gently clean the area with saline solution one more time. This keeps things fresh and disinfected.
• Avoid Touching It Too Much: It's tempting to adjust your new jewellery, but try to resist constantly. The more you touch it, the more you expose it to bacteria.
• Monitor for Irritation: Keep an eye on your piercing over the next few days. If you notice redness, swelling, or unusual pain, you might want to remove the new jewellery and consult a piercer. Your piercing could be reacting to the new material.

Sometimes, things don't go as planned. If you're struggling to remove your old jewellery, or if the new jewellery feels uncomfortable or painful, it's always a good idea to consult with your piercer. They can help with things like:

• Jewellery getting stuck
• Infections or irritation
• Sizing issues or concerns about healing

So, next time you really want to change those shiny piercings with some new designs, make sure to follow the above tips for a smooth swap.