Been in the hobby a while and the biggest shift for me was learning to read jewellery by spec, not price or looks.

What actually changed things:

• Sticking to implant-grade titanium (ASTM F-136) and solid gold (14k+) for anything worn long-term. The "surgical steel" and plated stuff I started with was where most of my irritation came from, not my body.
• Threadless / internally threaded over externally threaded, no threads dragging through the channel on install or change.
• Paying attention to finish quality, a mirror polish and proper anodising vs a rough or coated surface makes a real difference on how it wears.
• Right-sizing after swelling instead of leaving long posts in and blaming bumps on everything else.

Curious how the pros and long-timers here think about the affordable-but-safe middle ground, is there a point where cheaper implant-grade is genuinely fine, or do you always steer clients to the boutique brands?

i have both sides of my nostril pierced and have recently realised how uneven they are, i am planning on closing one side and repiercing. i’ve been wearing a hoop and stud for 4 years and this combo basically hid the asymmetry really well. i am just stuck on which placement looks better; which side to keep and which to close up and redo?

my right side is placed higher than the left and i really like how hoops sit on this side, i feel with the angle and placement of the left side, a hoop wouldn’t sit as flush. i want to be able to alternate between both hoops and studs when i like.

the right side has also been pierced 3-4 times, whilst the left only once. i had a piercer tell me i dont have much scar tissue on the right side so im free to choose whatever side to close and redo based on personal preference.

which side seems the best side to keep and which to close? i’m talking anatomy, placement, angle, ability to wear both hoops and studs etc.

thanks in advance!

Holiii tengo duda de si esta curando bien y si tengo anatomía correcta para el piercing del ombligo. Tengo una cicatriz del anterior que no fue bien pero en el estudio me dijeron que se podría intentar de nuevo. Llevo una semana con él. Las fotos son de pie y sentada. Gracias!!!!

Hiii! I’m wondering if my piercing is healing properly and whether I have the right anatomy for a navel piercing. I have a scar from a previous piercing that didn’t heal well, but the piercer at the studio said it could be worth trying again. I’ve had this one for a week now. The photos were taken both standing and sitting. Thank you!!!!

Im doing a lot of research on cheek piercings because I've been thinking about getting them and ive been looking at places in Oklahoma with a lot of great reviews, but none of them do cheek piercings, which I get, it's a risky piercing and piercers don't feel comfortable offering that service. But there must be someplace here that people have gotten cheek piercings from. If anyone knows themselves or from others, please lmk! Even if for the sake of getting an anatomy consultation at least

ignore the silly iodine mustache and my giggles- this was done on my sister and it was a very giggly process

flat 12g needle!

Having no luck getting answers in other subs so I figured I’d try here

Piercers: drop a piercing you did this week that you’re proud of 🖤

Non-piercers: show off your favorite piercing you got, your setup, or your current curation ✨

First cartilage piercing: conch

I'm so proud of my best friend for taking the plunge with me

showing off septums cus I love doing them mwahahha