When the jewelry moves to a different position from where it was initially placed,
it is called 'migration'. The migrating jewelry tends to move an extremely short
distance from its initial position. This situation is also known as 'parking'.
In certain cases, migration of jewelry takes place because the user has sensitivity
to the metal used in it. He might also develop allergic reactions to the skin.
In such a situation, the user should return to the piercer and get the jewelry
replaced by jewelry made from PTFE or other safe materials. Migration may also
take place if the jewelry is very big and it disrupts the stretching of the skin,
due to which the jewelry moves to another place. Usually, migration is observed
in case of naval piercings when there is very little space for the jewelry to be
placed in the navel. In such situations, the piercing does not heal well on account
of the tension exerted on the tissue by the jewelry. If this happens, the user
should go back to the piercer and get the jewelry changed to jewelry that is suitable
in shape and size. Migration may also take place on account of the heaviness of
the jewelry. The weight of the jewelry is an important factor that affects the
duration of the piercing. It has been observed that a person does not immediately
notice the migration of his piercing. If the user finds that his piercing is migrating
for no obvious reason, it might be due to the heavy jewelry. In this situation,
jewelry made from lightweight material such as titanium or niobium or PTFE and
other biocompatible plastics should be utitilised. Another reason due to which
migration takes place is due to the gauge of the jewelry. When the gauge is only
about 1 to 2 mm, the jewelry can easily travel through the skin and migrate. Usually,
jewelry having a small gauge are used in abdomen and genital piercings and hence,
migration is commonly observed in these piercings. It is advisable to use jewelry
with a gauge of 1.6 mm and more for abdominal and surface piercings, 2.4 mm and
more for male genital piercings and 1.6 mm and more for female genital piercings.
Apart from changing the appearance of the piercing, migration also causes the problem
of rejection if it is not taken care of. Rejections are generally observed in case
of eyebrow and navel piercings. Rejection of jewelry takes place for reasons same
as that for initial migration. However, in case of rejection, the jewelry is forcefully
expelled by the body and it can be quite painful to deal with. Soreness and redness
may develop around the area of the piercing. The skin also becomes thinner as the
jewelry moves. Ultimately there is only a minimal amount of skin holding the jewelry
and it keeps on thinning further. It becomes so thin that it cannot bear the weight
of the jewelry and it falls out. When the jewelry falls out in this manner, it
leaves behind a large amount of scar tissue and a mark at the area where the jewelry
was finally held. If thinning out of the skin is observed, it would be advisable
to remove the jewelry before it falls off on its own. This can help avoid large
amounts of scar tissue and damage to the skin at a later stage.
Leather Bracelets
