You should retire a piercing if it shows signs of infection (pus, redness, swelling), chronic irritation (persistent bumps, pain), or rejection (jewelry migrating, skin thinning) to prevent scarring, or if lifestyle changes (work, sports) make it impractical or unsafe, though it can often be re-pierced later once healed. Key indicators include constant discomfort, recurring issues despite good aftercare, or if your body simply won't accept it.
You should retire a piercing if it shows signs of chronic irritation, infection, or rejection. Persistent discomfort or recurring bumps may indicate your body isn't healing properly. Lifestyle changes, like work requirements or sports, can also make removal necessary.
Retiring a Healed Piercing
Because, literally, you don't do anything. If you have say an earlobe or a nostril piercing that's years old and well healed that you need to retire, simply remove the jewelry and go about your day. You can wash your face, apply makeup, do your hair, do everything as normal.
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.
If the area is red and scaly and you can suddenly see a lot more of the barbell than you could when it was pierced, your piercing is rejecting, and it needs to come out. This prevents any scarring from being much worse than it would be later down the line.
The essence of the 3/2 rule lies in spacing and positioning. It suggests that for every two piercings you have, there should be a corresponding three units of space between them. This ratio ensures that the piercings appear well-proportioned, avoiding a cluttered or unbalanced look.
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.
A second lobe piercing, commonly called a 2nd ear piercing, is placed just above your original earlobe piercing. It creates a balanced, symmetrical look that's cute, timeless, and easy to dress up or down.
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.
ROOK. Rook piercings are located in the cartilage at the uppermost part of the inner ear. The location does go through a thick bit of cartilage so it can be more painful and harder to heal than many other spots on the ear. The Rook is more in line with the Snug when it comes to pain and healing.
Getting repierced does not necessarily mean the piercing will heal faster. We always recommend downsizing your jewellery after 6-12 weeks*, however to completely heal any piercing may take up to 24 months. *Please note: these times are general and healing varies for the individual.
To remove, firmly hold the post tightly in one hand, while unscrewing one of the balls at either end to the left.
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.
Your body pushes out lymph fluid that dries up and forms crust. It's literally part of the healing process. The worst thing that you can do is pick at it! That's how you irritate it, encourage piercing bumps and prolonged healing!
Most studios set a minimum age of 13 or 14, with parental consent for under 16s. Facial and body piercings: These include nostril, eyebrow, navel, and lip piercings. Many studios require clients to be 16 or over with ID, or younger only with parental consent. Tongue and genital piercings: Strictly 18 and over.
Among the most painful piercings, snug and tragus piercings top the list, while upper cartilage piercings like the helix are slightly less painful, but still no laughing matter. Also, bear in mind the pain doesn't necessarily end once the needle is out. For example, cartilage has less blood flow.
Aftercare Information
During the healing process, you should clean your nostril piercing two times a day: morning and night. First, you're going to want to buy some Neilmed Piercing Aftercare Spray. Essentially, it's a sterile saline solution in a can.
The basic principle is that for every two piercings you have, there should be three units of space between them. Typically, this means that you have two piercings on one section of the ear (such as the lobe) and three piercings on the upper cartilage area of the ear.
The "prettiest" ear piercings are subjective but popular choices for beauty include the elegant Conch, the trendy Forward Helix, the statement Daith (especially with rings), the classic Helix for subtle sparkle, and curated combinations like the Tragus + Helix + Flat or Triple Lobe for a balanced look, all allowing for stunning jewelry to define your personal style.
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.
In 2025, we're seeing a rise in double and triple lobe piercings for layered looks. Perfect for mixing metals or playing with birthstone studs. Style tip: Try pairing a diamond stud with a tiny nose pin-inspired design for that edgy yet traditional crossover.
As a rule of thumb, follow the 2:3 ratio. If there are two lobe piercings, then go for three top ear piercings, or vice versa. Keep the largest hoops or longest earrings in the standard lobe piercing. You can then arrange hoops and smaller studs in the upper piercings.
A list of things to avoid. No touching, twisting, or rotating cartilage piercings. No sleeping on your new piercing without a Piercing Pillow. No rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide to clean your piercing.