Threaded jewelry is a common and classic style of body piercing, but there are lots of reasons to choose threadless over the traditional version. Not only is this jewelry more comfortable, it’s also easier to change out your end or decorative top and can be used in almost any type of ear, nose or lip piercing hole! With a little bit of practice you’ll be able to swap out your ends even while the piercing is healing.
With both internal and external threaded jewelry, the post and the decorative end of the piercing are held together with threads. These threads are exposed to your ear’s skin and are susceptible to bacteria, infection and tearing if not cared for properly. This is why threadless piercings are becoming increasingly popular – they have a smooth surface that reduces the risk of infection and are easy to take on and off!
Instead of having threads, the end of the decorative piece is attached to the tube back (in the body piercing industry this is called a flatback post) via a pin. This pin is designed to fit inside the hole in the post and when bent by your piercer will create a pressure fit between the two pieces. This will lock the end into place and eliminate the need for threads which can break or loosen over time.
Because of the way these pieces are connected, the bending of the pin and the pressure fit, threadless jewelry is a lot more secure than its threaded counterpart. This means that it is less likely to fall out of a piercing, but be sure to check the fit often to ensure the piece doesn’t get loose.
Another benefit of using this type of jewelry is that it is more comfortable. The curved pin that is used to connect the end of the jewelry to the post is smooth and won’t cause the same irritation as the threads of traditional jewelry. This makes it much easier to insert and remove the pieces and can be a great option for a new piercing or a piercing that is sensitive.
Finally, the fact that the posts are universally sized means you can use the same posts and decorative ends with any of your other piercings. This is especially helpful if you are downsizing or stretching as you won’t need to buy new posts and can still use your existing decorative ends.
All that being said, it is still important to remember that threadless piercings can be just as prone to infection as the traditional versions. Be sure to clean the surface of your jewelry regularly and keep an eye on it for any signs of redness or swelling. If you are worried about your piercings getting infected, talk to your piercer about using the appropriate products and proper aftercare techniques. This will help your piercings heal as quickly and easily as possible!