6.4 Piercing Migration And Rejection
Description
This article is from the Piercing FAQ, by Anne Greenblatt with numerous contributions by others.
6.4 Piercing Migration And Rejection
Occasionally a piercing migrates towards the surface of the skin or
rejects (grows-out). Migration and rejection is indicated by the
piercing becoming narrower and more shallow, and the jewelry may
become visible through the skin. A scar or a dimple often forms where
the piercing was originally placed. A piercing which is quickly
rejecting will form scabs where the piercing was originally
placed. Healing will be prolonged; the entrances of the piercing will
remain red and ragged.
Frequent causes of migration and rejection include:
- attempting a piercing where not enough tissue is available to
support
the piercing
- placing the piercing at an inappropriate depth or angle to the
tissue
- wearing jewelry of inappropriate design or dimensions (gauge,
width,
length, weight)
- friction or pressure against clothing, other body parts, or other
jewelry
- injury to the piercing
A piercing should not be attempted if not enough tissue is available
to support the piercing. Because everyone is built differently, not
everyone is anatomically suited for every piercing. Piercings made in
flat areas and areas which change shape during body movements often
reject. The optimum area to be pierced is one in which the piercing
will be perpendicular to the tissue, like an earlobe. The more a
piercing deviates from perpendicular, the greater the tension between
the jewelry and the tissue. A piercing should not be made excessively
deep on the assumption that it will "migrate into place."
Wearing jewelry of inappropriate design or dimensions often results in
migration or rejection. A ring which is too small in diameter will
constrict the piercing and cause the entrances of the piercing to
migrate to relieve pressure and conform to the curvature of the
ring. If a straight barbell is used through a flat area the balls will
create pressure against the skin behind them, causing the piercing to
migrate forward. A curved barbell will eliminate pressure between the
barbell balls and the skin.
Jewelry which is too thin in gauge is more easily rejected. Wearing
jewelry which is too thin increases the risk of the piercing being
torn if the jewelry is suddenly pulled. However, the gauge must not be
so thick that the strength of the tissue is compromised.
Injury to the piercing can result in tearing or detachment of the
epithelial layer lining the interior of the piercing. The epithelial
layer can be torn if the jewelry is sharply pulled or if the jewelry
is forced to rotate when the piercing has constricted around it. Often
the piercing must be soaked in warm water to allow the tissue to
expand before the jewelry can be rotated. If the epithelial layer is
dislodged completely the piercing must form a new layer. If the
epithelial layer frequently tears, the jewelry should be examined for
rough, underpolished areas or scratches. Jewelry that is underpolished
or scratched will easily adhere to the epithelial layer.
A rejected piercing may be repierced after the scar tissue has matured
and softened, a process which may take a year or more. However, since
the skin will never be as strong as it was originally, repiercing
behind scar tissue will not insure a successful piercing. The second
piercing is usually made behind the scar tissue from the initial
piercing; piercing through the scar tissue can be difficult and in
some cases very painful.
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