Frequently Asked Questions

What is an irritation bump?

An irritation bump is a localized reaction near the piercing that is typically red, raised,  can contain pus, or scab over. 

Why do irritation bumps happen?

-Trauma:

Consistent touching, twisting, or using a Q tip often and moving around the jewelry to clean it. A good snag or hit. 

- Poor Jewelry Quality:

Jewelry is low quality material. Jewelry does not fit properly (too tight). Jewelry is the incorrect design for the piercing (ring in nostril for healing)

MOST COMMONLY: TRAUMA--Trauma can be as simple as taking a q-tip to your piercing everyday 3 times a day and making it mad! OR, it could be a good snag, sleeping on your piercing, or whatever trauma may ensue. This results in your body freaking out, 😳 and wanting to fix and get rid of whatever is causing inflammation. It then creates an over growth of cells which results in a IRRITATION BUMP. (Again, keloids are different!)

More examples:Low quality jewelry, poor placement/angle, poor aftercare. Depending on the severity of the bump, it's possible for it to be saved and return to normal.🎉 Sometimes they do need to be repierced though.😔

If you know your jewelry is high quality and done properly, the first question I ask is "Was there a recent incident that you could have bumped or snagged your piercing?". The second thing youll want to look at is the aftercare. Are you doing too much? Is your piercing staying wet, are you moving your piercing around a lot when cleaning? Are you using proper cleaning products? 🫢

Each case is unique. If you answered yes to "I may be over cleaning my piercing." I would try to leave your piercing alone and only use shower water 🛁to clean it, and make sure to gently dry it with a paper towel or blow drier.

If you answered yes to "There  may have been a trauma caused to my piercing." It kind of depends on what the bump looks like. Somtimes it just takes time to settle down again in this case. You might need to incorporate saline spray (if you are not already) if your bump looks somewhat oozy.

IF THIS DID NOT ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, OR IF YOU NEED LONGER ROOM ON YOUR BAR, make a jewelry change appointment so we can evaluate things in person. 

•"Can you pierce my nose with a hoop?"

Nope! And heres why. 
Typically a client wants a "small dainty hoop" that WILL NOT work for initial piercing. The small hoop does not provide enough room for swelling, thus creating an irritation bump. I advise waiting until you are FULLY healed (4-6 months) for a hoop.

see the photo below? That's an irritation bump! And a bad one at that!

 

•What is proper piercing aftercare?

Do not touch or twist your piercing! Use a tooth pick to remove crusties AND HOLD YOUR JEWELRY STILL with clean hands while doing so. minimizing movement with any new piercing is extremely important.
This does not need to be done every single day.

Try not to snag it or bump it.

Do not use alcohol, peroxide, or tea tree oil.

Do not submerge in a pool, lake, or bath water for 6 weeks. Usually simply letting the shower water hit it is sufficient enough for cleaning piercings. You may incorporate a saline spray once a day, or if issues arrise, but sometimes less is more. 

Be very gentle with your piercing and do not change your original jewelry until you are fully healed.

•What should I do if I need to take a piercing out for a short period of time before it's healed?

I sell glass studs for some piercings. Glass is a safer material and you can wear it for a short period of time. Most clients come in before and after for me to take it out. Make a jewelry Change appointment.

•What age do I pierce children at?

I usually start piercing children at age 6+ and as long as they consent. Vis it my booking site to read more on my policies for children. 

•My piercing fell out! What should I do? Will it close?

Depending on what piercing it is and how fresh it is, it very well can close rather quickly. The sooner you can get to me, the better chance we have of saving it. Make a jewelry change appointment on my website.