Karissa Sanford
Body Piercing Specialist
wikiHow's Editorial Process wikiHow partners with over 1000+ experts from a wide range of fields to ensure our content is accurate and based on well-established research and testimony. Content Managers conduct interviews and work closely with each expert to review information, answer reader questions, and add credible advice. Learn more about our editorial process and why millions of readers trust wikiHow.
Co-authored Articles (34)
What Does a Left Ear Piercing Mean for Guys? Your Questions Answered
Learn the significance behind a man wearing an earring on the left While a left ear piercing is usually regarded as a symbol of spirituality, cultural identity, and self-expression, some people believe it reveals inform...
How to
Remove a Nose Ring
While generally you won’t want to remove a nose ring often, sometimes it’s necessary. Maybe you want to change out your jewelry, or just want to give it a cleaning. Whatever the reason, make sure you know how to remo...
Infected Piercings: Treatment Options, Prevention & More
Everything you need to know to fight infected ear and body piercings to reduce pain and swelling at home You’re loving the look of your new piercing, but your excitement turns to concern when you notice the initial red...
How to
Reopen a Partially Closed Ear Piercing Hole
Wearing earrings is a fun way to accessorize or transform your look, but if you do not wear earrings often, your piercings may begin to heal and close up. Professional help may be needed in some circumstances, but it is ...
How to
Pierce Your Septum
Septum piercings are popular, and maybe you've decided you'd like one. Ideally, you should go to an experienced professional to get your septum pierced. This is the best way to ensure that your septum is pierced correctl...
What Does It Mean to Have a Left Nostril Piercing? TikTok, Spirituality, & More
Everything you need to know about the spiritual, social, and cultural meanings of a left nostril piercing Ah, the age-old question… What side of your nose should you have pierced, and what does it mean? If you’ve bee...
Treating Your Infected Nose Piercing at Home (and When to See a Doctor)
Learn what to do when your new nose piercing isn’t healing like it should It can be frustrating when your new nose piercing seems to take forever to heal—but it's even worse when you start worrying it's become infect...
Smelly Septum Piercings: Cause, Prevention, Jewelry Recs & More
A stinky septum piercing is normal, but that doesn’t mean you have to put up with it If you’ve ever thought, “Hmm, what’s that smell? Oh no…is it my septum piercing!?” then you’re not alone! A smelly septum...
How to
Put a Hoop Nose Ring in
Putting a hoop ring into your nose piercing takes careful maneuvering, but with a little practice, you can make the process a habit. The procedure will vary depending on the type of nose ring you choose, but you should p...
How to
Close an Earlobe Piercing
Traditional ear piercings definitely aren’t for everyone, and it’s understandable if you’re looking to close up your piercings. Unfortunately, this process can take anywhere from a few hours to a few weeks, or your...
Will Your Nose Piercing Close Overnight If You Take Out Your Jewelry?
Nose piercing healing times, plus what to do if it closesIf you’ve recently gotten a new nose piercing and wondering if you can sleep without your jewelry in you’ve come to the right place. Piercings are wounds, so ...
The Best Way to Clean a Septum Piercing & Prevent Infections
Keep your septum piercing healthy and clean with our care guide Cleaning and taking good care of a septum piercing speeds up your recovery and fights off the risk of infections, so it’s important to do it properly. For...
What Does a Septum Piercing Mean? Spiritually, Culturally, & Sexually
The history and symbolism behind a septum ring From the ancient piercing rituals in Australia to the hippie movement of the 1960s, septum piercings have long been regarded as symbols of identity, self-expression, and spi...
How to
Take Care of a Lip Piercing
Taking proper care of any new piercing is important to avoid infections and ensure proper healing. Lip and other oral piercings need special attention, because bacteria in and around the mouth can increase the infection ...
Can a Septum Piercing Close Up? (Plus How to Prevent It)
Stop your septum piercing from closing with our expert advice If you need to take your septum piercing out, there’s always a risk of the hole shrinking or closing. Septum piercings can close up when there isn’t any j...
How to
Blow Your Nose with a Nose Ring
When allergy season or cold season rolls around, blowing your nose might seem harder with a nose ring. For the most part, you can blow your nose normally with any kind of nose piercing. However, since preventing discomfo...
Spiritual & Cultural Significance of a Nose Piercing on the Right Side
Does the side you pierce your nose on matter?Even though there’s no “correct” side to pierce your nose, some people believe the side you choose has certain spiritual interpretations.. 29 October 2019. If you want t...
How to
Hide a Lip Piercing from Parents or Bosses
If you've been wanting to get a lip piercing, but worry that your parents or boss won't take it well, you may need to hide it for a while. You'll need to plan a good time to get the piercing and allow it to heal. Once it...
How to Stretch an Earlobe Piercing for Gauges
Widening your piercing to fit bigger jewelry Earlobe stretching is something that not only makes your ears bigger to accommodate big jewelry; it is also a meaningful journey with your ears. You can see how far your skin ...
How to
Clean a Daith Piercing
A daith piercing passes through the ear’s innermost cartilage fold, and is an interesting form of body art. Like other cartilage piercings, it’s particularly prone to infection. However, taking good care of your new ...