I can tell you with complete sincerity that having a telephone cord snapped against a freshly pierced nipple is decidedly unpleasant. Almost as unpleasant is realizing that over the years I have lost several hundred dollars worth of piercings and jewelry because I failed to take some simple precautions. I know it sounds like an obscene amount of money for piercings but it adds up when you're sprinting to (under duress) Hot Topic hoping like hell a fresh piercing hasn't closed up or a freshly gauged one hasn't contracted before you buy an overpriced replacement. And for those of us with no cash, by the time you can afford a replacement it may be too late. Most of the time the reason you need to do this is not even that you lost a ring or a post but that a ball unthreaded or a retainer ring fell off and then you lost the jewelry.
At A Glance Author nightbrightener Contact nightbrightener@bme.anon When Two years ago Artist unknown Studio Infinite Location Philly Off the top of my head I have had to regauge my ears 6 times, lost a labre piercing entirely, used paper clips as nipple rings and rubber bands as retainer rings. Basically I am a "how not to guide" for piercing care. One of the things that consistently surprises me is how few people take some simple precautions before they begin having problems with piercings. Most of these problems can be solved by three things; know your jewelry and have replacements handy, have the tools for changing out piercings, and keep those piercings clean.
One of the biggest things I have learned is look to what you are buying closely. Everyone wants to support their local shop but make sure that you are buying quality and understand what you are buying. I'm going to focus on ears as an example. They take every style of jewelry used and frankly I don't want to type ampalang (sp?) 30 times. Know what types of material the jewelry is made out of, it matters, if for no other reasons cost and weight factor in. Also know if you have any allergies and ask what the jewelry is made out of. Next, consider shape, it matters, especially with plugs. If you just reached that gauge size don't get flared plugs, they will hurt you. get a single flare or none flared plug. Many people swear by silicon since it can be compressed and natural exerts some pressure to expand a gauged piercing slowly. Stay away from anything exotic like wood or bone unless you can feel it is smooth enough to not irritate a just stretched lobe. As far as rings make sur e you know whether the balls are internally or externally threaded, everyone has some preference so buy what you like. And don't be afraid of the internet, you will amazed how much you can save if you take the time to look. So assuming you just bought your shiny, woody, boney, or acrylicy masterpiece now stop for a minute and think..
To begin with consider what type of jewelry you are getting and if you can, get the name of the manufacturer or at least the shop where you purchased it and the gauge. Then for the love of a merciful god write it down and keep it someplace. I have friends who work in the industry and right after poor personal hygiene and lousy tippers their biggest complaint is having some yutz come into the shop holding a crusty ring or barbell and asking what size it is and if they have that style in stock. Now assuming some minimal degree of literacy on everyone's part at least you know what jewelry you have.
Next, and I can't stress this enough, BUY REPLACEMENTS before you need them. If you are gauging up every two weeks maybe it's not worth it, but if you intend to keep the size or specific jewelry any length of time BUY REPLACEMENT PARTS. For a lot of people that may be as simple as generic retainer bands or as specific as threaded or captive balls THAT ARE COMPATIBLE with the jewelry you have. And if you wrote down the brand, shop and gauge of the jewelry you can even buy them later. I know it sounds anal retentive but take a fucking box and put all the extra bits in it. You'll know where they are and you can mix and match when you need to.
So now you stopped having 3 pairs of hoops with one ball each, this is good. Now take the time to figure out if you need anything to change out the jewelry, and buy it. Honestly for my piercings I've never needed any but for captive beads and pressure rings get a pair of pliers intended for releasing pressure on rings, it's worth it.
Last but maybe most important is paying attention to the damn things once you have them done and that doesn't playing with your PA every five minutes. I work as a nurse and yet I'm a sloppy mother fucker, go figure. But if you have a piercing prone to infection or funk then please for the sake of anyone else if not yourself care for the thing. I know some people never wash their plugs or unthread the balls on their jewelry but bacteria get into threads and under o-rings and that is not a good thing. I don't care if it's old crow whiskey or listerine but soak them in something once in a while to clean them. It won't be sterile but it's an improvement at least. Take care of the skin too. There are a lot of after care products on the market and I won't express an opinion on any specific one but use something, especially for fresh piercings, keloid scars and pus are not sexy to most people.
I love my piercings, the ascetic, the sensations, hell even the punk rock factor. I may still be okay dumpster diving at Panera's and squatting if I need to. But like non scrounged food and having a couch, some simple things can make life a lot easier and save you some money in the long run. Well okay, maybe I spend more on food now but you get the idea. Take care and enjoy the body mods.