What Causes your Body to Reject a Piercing?

Your skin is the largest organ in your body and the only one that comes into contact with the outside world. It holds in all your bodily fluids and keeps out harmful microbes that cause infections.

When your skin is injured, it goes through a complex process of healing that begins with inflammation and ends with the formation of scar tissue.

Your body will only build up scar tissue around a piece of jewelry if that process is easier than pushing out the jewelry entirely. In the case of surface piercings, the body is often tempted to push out the jewelry rather than wall it off with scar tissue.

Part of wound healing involves contraction, which means your skin is pulling itself back together. This is what allows holes to close up when jewelry is removed.

There’s no specific cause that leads to piercing rejection. It happens due to a combination of factors, including:

• Some people heal differently than others.
• The skin surface. Flat surfaces are more prone to rejection.
• The tautness of skin. Piercing into tight skin around the belly button or chest puts more pressure on the piercing to hold the skin together (like a staple).
• The size and shape of the jewelry. Ill-fitting jewelry is often the initial cause of migration.
• The material of the jewelry. Some materials, such as titanium, may be better for those with sensitive skin and can reduce the likelihood of an allergic reaction or rejection. Your piercer can recommend the right jewelry for you and the location of your piercing.
• Weight changes. Pregnancy and obesity cause the skin to stretch, which may put pressure on the piercing.
• Physical or emotional stress. A healthy, strong immune system is important for the healing process — and too much stress can negatively affect it.