Common Questions And Answers: Page 7

Q:    Should jewelry be turned several times a day?

A:    No. All acceptable jewelry for fresh piercings should be of non-reactive,
        non-porous material with a mirror finish. Skin will not grow onto such smooth
       metal or glass jewelry, so turning is not necessary. In fact, turning jewelry during
       the day is potentially hazardous to healing. Using dirty hands to turn a dirty ring
       through a piercing puts all those germs right inside the piercing. It is very easy
       to end up with an infection this way. Also, forcing dried fluid discharge
       (crusties) through the piercing increases the risk, as it can tear the fresh tissue
       inside, and then infect it with bacteria clinging to the dried fluids. Never, never
       turn jewelry through the piercing, unless you have just washed your hands and
       jewelry with antimicrobial soap (i.e. Satin soap) and have washed all those
       crusties off jewelry. If you are not cleaning the piercing, keep your hands off and
       away from it.

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