How To Change Your Metal

So here you are, contorting yourself over a sink, looking in the mirror hoping you don’t drop that tiny piece of metal down the drain. Sound familiar? Some of us know this all too well. Here are a few tips and tricks to make the whole process a hell of a lot easier.

First and foremost, don’t be that idiot that changes their jewelry before it is healed. Yes, it may look like it is done healing but that isn’t always the case. Changing jewelry too soon can aggravate and drag out the healing process. Not to mention, it can cause infection. If you are unsure, check in with your piercer to make sure everything has properly healed. If you aren’t 100% sure or don’t feel comfortable changing your own jewelry you can always have a professional do it for you. It will ensure that your piercing is healed, and that you have the correct jewelry, material and size.

If you decide to change your metal on your own, do it in an isolated area with good lighting, a mirror (obviously), and an environment where you won’t lose a vital piece to your jewelry. This does not include your shower; sure, you are all soapy and lubed up, but it’s also a slip and slide for your jewelry. Be mindful and scrub your hands like a surgeon with antibacterial soap before even thinking about touching your piercing. If you are using jewelry you already own, sanitize them before use. Even if properly stored, there could be germs or debris lurking on them. A common inexpensive method is soaking the jewelry in a bowl filled with warm water with a few drops of antibacterial soap, rinsing and letting it air dry on a paper towel. Be sure to unscrew all components of the jewelry to get in all the nooks and crannies. It is always a good idea to clean them every few weeks to get rid of build up, so you are always feeling fresh.

Sure, not all jewelry is difficult to change, but sometimes you just need a professional, especially for those hard-to-reach places. Some jewelry styles are very difficult to remove if you don't have proper equipment like homeostatic forceps or captive ring tools. Unless you plan on tracking this equipment down and getting half-assed answers from some goth know-it-all on YouTube, our best advice is to go to your local shop and leave it to the experts. Metal Illness has a sick selection of body jewelry to choose from, any jewelry you purchase comes sanitized, sealed and ready to use. Size does matter friends, be sure to have your piercings sized if you aren't sure what you need.

If you’re in the Austin, Texas area swing by any Platinum Ink location they can help you with all of your metal needs.