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. Migration can happen gradually over several years or much more quickly depending on a range of factors.
We’re here to help with what you need to look out for, and what to do if you find yourself in this situation.
Common Causes of Migration
One of the main causes is repeated trauma to the area. Small, consistent irritation can build up over time and prevent the piercing from healing properly.
This can include:
- Over-cleaning or using too much aftercare
- Picking off yellow crusty discharge
- Knocking the piercing with a towel whilst drying
- Knocking the piercing whilst getting dressed and clothing rubbing on the area
- Sleeping on the piercing
- Hair catching or snagging on the jewellery
- Playing with or touching the jewellery
In some cases, the body may not fully accept the jewellery. When this happens, the immune system continues to treat it as a foreign object, which can cause ongoing irritation.
If this occurs, changing to more biocompatible materials such as titanium or bioplast may help reduce the reaction.
How to tell if your piercing is migrating?
A few piercing migration signs to look out for are:
- Consistent soreness and sensitivity
- Skin thinning around jewellery
- Jewellery hanging looser
- Piercing hole appearing larger
- Crooked entry and exit holes
Ask an Essential Beauty Piercing Expert if you have any queries or concerns. We recommend reaching out promptly to our team, as migration may put your piercing at risk of infection!
How to prevent piercing migration?
It is important to not leave larger jewellery in for extended periods of time. Booking in for a downsize after you receive your home care email notifying that your initial healing has completed.
Leaving large jewellery in your piercing makes it prone to catching or snagging on hair and clothing and can push down onto the skin when sleeping.
Avoid excessive pressure to the piercing during the healing process. Try to avoid sleeping on the piercing (see our piercing pillow), or tight clothing pushing on it for long periods of time.
Always follow appropriate aftercare as recommended and directed by your Beauty Therapist. We always recommend our Sterilear 1 & 2 Piercing Sprays.
Are certain piercings at risk?
All piercings are subject to piercing migration or rejection, some are more common than others though! Some of these may include:
- Belly button/navel piercings
- Nipple piercings
- Nose piercing
- Eyebrow piercing
- Helix piercings