Yes, piercing holes can migrate (shift position) or reject (be pushed out) because the body treats foreign jewelry as an irritant, causing the tissue to move or thin, often due to pressure, poor jewelry fit (too small/heavy), infection, trauma, or even genetics, leading to the jewelry moving closer to the surface or the hole appearing larger.
Piercing migration is the body's response to foreign material in the body. The immune system may attempt to reject and move your piercing from its original spot to a new one. This can lead to piercing bumps that migrate the piercing, causing it to move and become crooked!
Migration is caused when the body rejects the foreign object and tries to push it out. It is more likely that piercing migration will occur with surface piercings such as those in the navel, eyebrow, and nape. Deeper piercings such as those in the ear, nose, and tongue are less likely to be rejected by the body.
The "2:3 piercing rule" is a curated ear guideline suggesting that for every two piercings, you should have three units of space between them, aiming for a balanced look, often by placing two piercings on the lobe and three on the upper cartilage, or by using larger jewelry at the bottom (lobes) and smaller pieces (studs/huggies) as you go up the ear for a cascading, uncluttered aesthetic. It's a styling tip, not a strict rule, for creating harmonious ear stacks.
Piercings never really go away. The fistula stays inside your body, but the skin will close over and scar. Generally once the skin is closed, the piercing is considered closed, but it would be very easy for a professional piercer to reopen, since the fistula is there.
If you've had the tragus piercing for three or four years the hole will generally close slowly, and may never fully close. However, this won't be immediately obvious as the skin will almost close, only be noticeable upon close inspection.
The reason behind this is that your earrings could trap dirt and bacteria (or shampoo) if you leave them on 24/7, which can lead to infections. To prevent this, take off your earrings when you sleep, clean out your earrings regularly and follow proper hygiene protocols.
However, even if you're brave and want to do a whole bunch of piercings at once, it's recommended that you don't get more than three at a time so you don't overwhelm your body during the healing process.
A nose piercing typically ranks around a 4-7 out of 10 on the pain scale, varying by person and location; nostril piercings are often a quick, sharp pinch (around 4-6/10), while septum piercings can feel intense but brief (around 6-7/10), especially if the cartilage is thick, though it's generally considered manageable and quick to heal.
The "earring rule" for guys typically refers to social norms or personal preferences regarding which ear to pierce. Traditionally, in some Western cultures, piercing the left ear was thought to signify heterosexuality, while the right ear was associated with homosexuality.
Migration. It jewellery begins to migrate there is a high likelihood of rejection. Even if a migrated piercing doesn't end up fully rejecting it usually won't end up looking the way you hoped. It's best to try and catch migration early.
"Some worry that if something is migrating then it will lead to rejection and force itself out. Migration doesn't always mean rejection and rejection doesn't always mean you can't do it again."
Signs Your Piercing May Be Migrating:
- You can see more of the jewelry than before: If more of the bar or post is visible near your piercing, or you can see your jewelry rising to the surface (under your skin) your piercing could be migratiing!
What piercings reject the most? Surface piercings have the highest rejection rate. Surface piercings such as microdermals as well as eyebrow piercings and navel piercings reject the most because they are closest to the surface of the skin.
Go Slow and Be Gentle
Start by gently twisting the earring back and forth instead of trying to push it straight through. The twisting motion will help gradually reopen the hole without causing too much strain on the tissue. If you feel any resistance, stop and try again later.
The "3-2 piercing rule" is a popular guideline for creating a balanced ear piercing arrangement, suggesting three piercings on the lobe and two on the upper cartilage for a harmonious, curated look, or applying a 2:3 ratio of piercings to space for overall balance, often pairing small studs with statement pieces for a chic, "undone" style that avoids overcrowding and emphasizes personal anatomy.
Safest Piercings
Along with the nostrils and belly button, the earlobes are the safest and most common body part to be pierced.
The "2 3 earring rule," also known as the 2:3 ratio or 3-2 piercing rule, is a guideline for curated ear piercings that balances visual appeal, suggesting two piercings in one area (like lobes) and three in another (like upper cartilage) for a harmonious look, or ensuring three units of space for every two piercings to prevent overcrowding and create flow, often pairing larger jewelry at the lobe with smaller pieces higher up. It's about creating an asymmetrical yet balanced 'ear stack' rather than mirror-image symmetry, letting one ear do the talking.
Most Painful Piercings from Mild to Wild
20G is about the lowest that you should go; any smaller than that, and your body may view the jewelry as a splinter or something similar and try to push it out. Besides health considerations, you'll choose your gauge based on aesthetics. In the past, it was more common to pierce your lobe at 20G or 18G.
Is it OK to Shower with Earrings in? With earrings being one of the most common types of jewelry to keep in, it's essential to know how to care for them best. We've established that for the most part, showering with jewelry should be avoided, or at least kept to a minimum.
It's best to remove them before sleeping. While it may be convenient to leave your earrings in while sleeping, it's important to weigh the risks and benefits. For new piercings or minimalist stud earrings, it may be fine, but for larger or more intricate designs, it's best to remove them before bed.
At a minimum, you should remove your earrings at least once a week for proper cleaning—especially if you wear them daily. Regular maintenance helps prevent bacteria buildup, irritation, and potential infections around your piercings.