The track and field world championships are just wrapping up this weekend in Eugene, Oregon. As always, we have seen an array of body art ranging from the dainty single-line pieces of Norwegian middle distance runner Jakob Ingebrigtsen to the powerful shoulder roses of Jamaica’s Elaine Thompson Herah. We have also seen a ton of varying shades of hair, and lashes for days. However, piercings are generally less prevalent on the tracks. But what do you do when you want to be able to run, throw jump, or punch to the best of your ability while not compromising your love for body modifications and piercings? Let’s take a look.
Healing a piercing while still engaging in sports and working out is a chapter entirely on its own. You can read more about the special precautions you need to take here, but generally, if you have a season where you play sports more intensely, it is advisable to plan on getting your piercing during the off-season.
Once the piercing is fully healed, it is wise to remove it before participating in sports to keep it from getting snagged in clothing or equipment – or inadvertently caught in other players. However, removing a piercing for any longer period of time is never advisable.
Anything more than a few minutes can cause the piercing to begin to shrink – even if you have had it for several years. Therefore, if you play sports that require you to stay active for a prolonged period of time, you can temporarily replace them with non-metallic pieces of jewellery called ‘retainers’. These are only to be worn for no more than 8 hours at a time. Beyond sports, they are usually used for certain medical procedures, such as CAT scans, that will not allow you to have metal piercings fitted.
Some prefer to tape their piercings while practising sports, especially while it is still healing. First of all, it is a good idea to ask your coach if you will be allowed to do this during practice and games. Secondly, using a regular bandaid is not the best option as the adhesive of the bandaid itself can aggravate the piercing wound. However, there are special waterproof and see-through covers that you can purchase to protect your piercing from both pool water and sweat.
Of course, a belly button, lip or eyebrow piercing will be problematic for wrestlers or rugby players, while runners or high-jumpers may be able to get away with them. In the same way, an ear piercing is most likely fine for a gymnast, whereas an MMA fighter may not want to give their opponent the added opportunity.
Prioritize cleanliness
No matter what type of sports you do, and how you choose to protect your piercing, it is important to always keep it clean and not expose it to dirt and bacteria – especially from any shared sporting equipment and machines/dumbbells at the gym. If you have any questions about how to best care for your piercing, please contact your local Vivid Ink and let our experienced piercers talk you through the best practices to keep you enjoying your jewellery for as long as possible.
Some athletes with new piercings use adhesive tape to cover jewelry during sporting events. the Scotch prevents piercings from getting caught in clothing or sports equipment.
Stay out of pools, hot tubs, rivers, lakes and other bodies of water while the piercing heals. Leave the piercing alone during healing. Don't touch a new piercing or twist the jewelry unless you're cleaning it. Keep clothing away from the piercing.
If you're piercing is not yet healed, ask your coach if it is ok for you to protect your piercing with a bandage or athletic tape, and take care to avoid bumping your ear. Regardless of which sport you might play, keeping your piercing clean should remain a top priority, especially during the healing process.
Sweat will not irritate your new piercing but it could introduce bacteria causing infection. Clean your piercing thoroughly in the way that is prescribed to you by your piercer after you finish your workout, and refrain from touching it while at the gym or out on your run.
Petroleum jelly, commonly known as Vaseline, is renowned for its moisturizing properties. It can help retain moisture, create a protective barrier, and alleviate irritation. Some individuals find that a thin layer of petroleum jelly can be soothing and prevent excessive dryness around the piercing site.
If it is impossible to avoid, use a waterproof bandage, such as 3M, Nexcare, Clean Seals, or Tegaderm. Avoid getting beauty and personal care products on or around your piercing (make-up, lotions, hairspray, hair oils, etc.)
What should I do to cover them up? You could get a clear plastic retainer, as small as possible. They are quite cheap and not visible from a distance. They can also be used in situations such as schools with strict piercing rules.
High Contact Sports: In general, it's not a good idea to wear any earrings or other jewelry while participating in contact sports like soccer, basketball, or football. Low Contact and Water-Based Sports: Silicone-based sports studs or small globe studs are your best bet!
What piercings reject the most? Surface piercings have the highest rejection rate. Surface piercings such as microdermals as well as eyebrow piercings and navel piercings reject the most because they are closest to the surface of the skin.
Belly button piercings are considered the second least painful piercings after ear piercings. That's because the thick tissue left behind from when your umbilical cord was removed is flesh and not very nerve dense.
Soon after the piercing, it may bleed if knocked. This is common and perfectly normal! Just apply some sterile gauze and pressure for a couple of minutes until the blood clots. For the first few weeks, expect the area to be red, swollen, tender, puffy & sometimes bruised.
Delayed Healing: The curved shape of hoops can delay the healing of the piercing and may even contribute to complications like keloids. Given these drawbacks, it is just too risky to pierce with traditional hoops, that is why most piercers opt for studs for the initial piercing process.
DO NOT touch or play with your piercing while it is healing except when cleaning. DO NOT take your jewelry out while the piercing is healing, even to clean jewelry!
Avoid rough contact. For example, sex, fun-play wrestling and contact sports (note: you can still be intimate, just be careful not to bump your piercing).
Anything more than a few minutes can cause the piercing to begin to shrink – even if you have had it for several years. Therefore, if you play sports that require you to stay active for a prolonged period of time, you can temporarily replace them with non-metallic pieces of jewellery called 'retainers'.
During healing, protect your navel piercing from being snagged on clothing, irritated from friction, or injured during physical sports and activities with this simple tip: get a vented eye patch of hard plastic (found at most pharmacies), and secure it over your piercing using an elastic bandage like an ankle wrap.
If you lost the ball, it is important to try and keep the bar in the piercing. Things you can use short term to help are – a piece of clean pencil eraser, Blutac or chewing gum (as a last resort). Balls are more secure on internally threaded jewellery, but either way – Remember to check the ends regularly.
Introduction: My name is Mr. See Jast, I am a open, jolly, gorgeous, courageous, inexpensive, friendly, homely person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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