Downsizing has been a popular term the last few years. Generally, it refers to sorting through your possessions, figuring out what you don’t really need, and getting rid of it. That’s not what this blog is about. (Whew!) We are not going to suggest getting rid of your jewelry because why on earth would you want to? No, today we are going to discuss downsizing the jewelry you got pierced with and why you should definitely do that.
What is Downsizing?
When you get a piercing, the piercer should be using jewelry that is slightly longer or wider in diameter than you actually will need when it heals. This is to accommodate swelling so that if you experience a great deal of swelling, your skin won’t engulf the jewelry. As a side note, this situation definitely should not be ignored if it happens and may even require medical attention if not dealt with promptly. Once your piercing is well on its way to healing, you may no longer need the bigger jewelry and may even find it aesthetically unpleasing. Your piercer should give you a time frame to return and have the jewelry changed out for a smaller piece. (This is not the same as your piercing being fully healed and ready for you to change the jewelry to something more stylish.)
Why do you need to downsize?
Besides the aesthetic reasons, oversized jewelry can tend to move more in the piercing. This can interfere with the healing process by injuring the fragile new cells growing inside the fistula. Another reason is the risk of snagging it. If your jewelry is more snugly fitted to your body, there is less of a chance that it will get caught in something. Less accidental snagging and less motion will lead to faster healing. Downsizing doesn’t only benefit the piercing itself. Oral piercings, which are notoriously prone to swelling, must be downsized when the piercer recommends it. Oversized jewelry in the mouth leads to the jewelry hitting against your teeth and gums. It also becomes a temptation to play with it or even chew on it. This can lead to chipped teeth or receding gums. A trip to the piercer is quicker, cheaper, and a lot more fun than a trip to the dentist! Finally, downsizing will aid in your own comfort. Having oversized jewelry sticking out can cause the end to press uncomfortably against your skin. This is especially true of ear piercings, as well as oral piercings.
Know before you go...
When you go get a new piercing, your piercer should make sure that you have all of the necessary information to take care of it before you leave. This should include when to return to have your jewelry downsized as well as the size of the jewelry you were pierced with. This isn’t something you should do at home. One little mishap can cause the piercing to swell (remember, it’s not healed yet) which will set back your healing time and defeat the purpose of downsizing the jewelry. So take note of that time frame your piercer gives you and make sure that you return to them to get your jewelry downsized. Happy piercing!
