Improper aftercare is one of the leading reasons why a new body piercing is healing poorly.

Bad aftercare advice is plastered all over the internet.

See our piercing aftercare instructions here.

One of the most destructive aftercare tips is to twist your jewelry in your new body piercing.

The reasoning behind this bad advice is that twisting or turning your jewelry will keep it from being "stuck" in your new piercing.

Proper body jewelry will never allow skin to permanently adhere to its surface. Twisting body jewelry in a new piercing to prevent it from "sticking" is awful advice. 

The Hazards Of Twisting Your New Piercing Jewelry

Inviting Bacteria

While it may seem like a good idea, turning or twisting your jewelry in a new and healing body piercing is a really bad idea.

What happens when you twist your body jewelry in your new piercing?

You disturb the piercing channel, ultimately destroying any healing progress.

You also invite in bacteria and open the door to possible infection when twisting and turning your body jewelry.

Moving it back and forth through your piercing channel can pull in the "crusties" that have formed, inviting surface bacteria into a puncture wound.

Our hands are a constant source of germs, bacteria and icky things. Imagine how many surfaces you touch a day.

Now if you twist your new piercing jewelry and forget to wash your hands, you can bring even more bacteria your open wound.

Exposing your body piercing to dirty hands and twisting motions are a bad idea. This is harmful and certainly is not good for you or your healing body piercing.

Promoting Irritation

The movement required to twist and turn your body jewelry can lead to inflammation and irritation.

If you've ever had a lip piercing, then you might understand how sensitive new body piercings can be.

Pushing and pulling body jewelry in a new piercing can cause irritation and inflammation.

The worst thing you can do for a newly healing piercing is to cause it to become inflamed.

Inflammation and irritation go hand in hand and delay the natural healing process.

It's good to remember that a new piercing is an open wound and that the goal is to reduce inflammation and irritation, not cause it.

Movement in this case is not productive and can lead to delayed heal times. Try not to touch your new body piercing at all unless you are actively cleaning it with clean hands.

Now that you understand a bit more about why you should not twist or turn your body jewelry, you can actively promote good health and quick healing in your new body piercing.

If you ever have questions regarding proper body jewelry aftercare, you can consult with our licensed body piercers. They are available to answer your body piercing questions and help guide you on your aftercare journey.

Remember that every body is different and that you are in charge of completing appropriate aftercare to protect and heal your new body piercing.