Jewelry Insertion Guide

Inserting Jewelry Safely

Never force jewelry into piercings—you risk damaging your skin or fragile materials like organics and glass. If insertion remains difficult after following this guide, visit your local piercer for assistance (fees may apply). In Northern Colorado? Bring your jewelry, packaging, and receipt to one of our locations, and we’ll insert it for free.

Don’t Change Jewelry in Unhealed Piercings

Switching jewelry too soon can damage new piercings, delay healing, or increase infection risk. Check healing times in our piercing aftercare guide here.

Steps for Safe Insertion

  1. Ensure your jewelry is the correct size for your piercing [link]. Unsure? Contact us for help [link].
  2. If your jewelry arrived unsterilized, clean it using tips from the “About Our Jewelry” FAQ section [link].
  3. Work in a safe area to avoid losing small jewelry—steer clear of high-pile carpets, floor vents, or sink drains.
  4. For threaded or threadless jewelry, remove one end before inserting and reattach after. You may need help reattaching ends on hard-to-see jewelry.
  5. Lubricate jewelry with water-based personal lubricant to protect organics and avoid greasy residue. Alternatively, use soap and water, then rinse. Inserting after a shower works well, as skin is more elastic from heat and humidity.
  6. Optionally, insert jewelry in the shower using lubricant or soap and water—just don’t drop it down the drain!
  7. After lubricating, gently push the jewelry into your piercing, holding one end. If it doesn’t go in after 2-3 tries, stop to avoid micro-tears or bruising, which can cause inflammation and complicate insertion. Contact us or visit a piercer for help.
  8. Once inserted, reattach the end if needed, then wash the piercing with soap and warm water and pat dry.

For Healed Piercings Only

If irritation occurs after prolonged wear, remove the jewelry and let your piercing rest for 1-2 days, keeping it clean. Reinsertion after 12-48 hours is usually easy, though areas like navels may be trickier. Persistent irritation, swelling, or redness may signal a material allergy. Unsure about symptoms? Reach out to us for guidance.