On your earring post, you should see or feel a small notch near the end. This notch is where the butterfly backing should lock into place. When you slide the backing on, you’ll feel it “click” or lock securely at that point.

When the butterfly backing is properly placed, it should be sitting right on the notch. The two loops of the backing should cover the post — the post should not be sticking out or poking you at all.

Your earring should not look like this. If the post is sticking out too far from the backing, it’s pushed in too tight. This can cause irritation or infection on new piercings, and for both new and healed piercings, the skin can start to grow over the front or back of the earring if left too long. In severe cases, a doctor may need to remove it.