Top 5 Myths About Piercings - Debunked by a Pro
Thinking of getting a new piercing? Or maybe you’re already healing a few and want to make sure you’re treating them right. There’s a lot of misinformation out there. As piercing professionals, (who care about our clients) we’ve heard it all, and we’re here to set the record straight.
Let’s bust the top 5 piercing myths that could be messing with your healing journey or stopping you from getting that next piercing you’ve been dreaming of…
1. “You should use Q-tips to clean your piercing”
Myth: Q-tips are gentle and great for cleaning piercings.
Truth: While Q-tips seem soft, they can actually leave behind tiny fibres that irritate your fresh piercing. The movement can twist your piercings and cause further irritation and prolong healing.
Pro Tip: Stick to a sterile saline spray, we recommend spraying directly and drying with the cold setting of the hairdryer or fan!
2. “You have to twist your jewellery to stop it from getting stuck”
Myth: Twisting your jewellery helps with healing.
Truth: This is one of the oldest and worst myths in the book. Twisting or turning your jewellery can tear healing tissue and introduce bacteria into the piercing channel, which slows down healing or can lead to infection.
Pro Tip: Leave it alone. Your body is doing the healing work, twisting only gets in the way.
3. “It’s fine to sleep on your new piercing”
Myth: Sleeping on your piercing won’t affect healing.
Truth: Sleeping on a fresh piercing especially cartilage ones can cause your new piercing to heal on an angle, the friction can lead to bumps and bacteria can enter the wound.
Pro Tip: Grab yourself a D&J Girlie Piercing pillow with a hole in the centre to keep pressure off the area. Your future self will thank you.
4. “If it looks infected, take it out”
Myth: If your piercing looks red or swollen, you should remove the jewellery immediately.
Truth: This can be dangerous. Removing jewellery while the area is irritated or possibly infected can trap bacteria inside.
Pro Tip: Keep the jewellery in and consult a professional piercer (like us!) or a healthcare provider. We can assess the situation and advise what is best!
5. “Piercings heal in 6-8 weeks”
Myth: All piercings are fully healed in a couple of months.
Truth: Healing times vary depending on placement and your personal healing process. Earlobes can heal in 8 - 12 weeks, but cartilage piercings can take 6–12 months depending on the aftercare undertaken, this can take longer!
Pro Tip: Be patient. Just because it looks healed doesn’t mean it is. Keep up your aftercare routine and don’t change your jewellery too soon. You can always ask us if you’re fully healed!
Trust the Pros, Not the Myths
At Dorathy and J, we’re all about giving you stylish, safe piercings you’ll love for the long haul. Whether it’s your first piercing or your fifth, our team of trained professionals is here to guide you every step of the way with gorgeous jewellery, gentle technique, and real talk. This is your sign to book your next!
