The length of time it takes for an ear piercing to heal depends on which part of the ear you have pierced.
Properly caring for your new piercing throughout the duration of this time is essential for healthy healing. If your first ear piercing is having trouble healing, you can book a follow up appointment with our expert piercers for more advice.
We know that having ear piercings goes beyond just the initial appointment. This is why our ear piercing guide also has aftercare tips to help you care for every piercing you may get. To help your piercing heal with minimal complications, here are some dos and don'ts to remember.
Do clean your piercing with an Antibacterial Cleansing Saline Solution. We recommend using this twice a day, once in the morning and once at night. This is the only cleanser you need. It will help to flush out your piercing, remove any discharge, and keep it clean. You can purchase Antibacterial Cleansing Saline Solution from our piercing studio, or ask your local pharmacist to advise you
Do keep your original piercing jewellery in for the full duration of the healing time. Once healed, you can swap this earring out but make sure not to leave the piercing empty in the first 12 months.
Do avoid sleeping on your new piercing. Not only can laying on the piercing cause discomfort and irritation but it can also alter the angle of the piercing when it is healed. For ultimate comfort, opt for sleeper earrings that are designed to not get in the way of your slumber.
Don't use soap, beauty products or creams (e.g. Savlon, surgical spirits or TCP) to clean your piercing. These products can be abrasive and may slow the healing process or interfere with a proper recovery.
Don't swim in the sea or in chlorine water for 4 weeks after your piercing.
Follow these board-certified dermatologist tips to prevent problems in a new piercing, like infection or your piercing closing.
The right care can prevent an infection, shrinking holes, and other problems.
A new piercing can be a fun addition to your personal style. Some piercings, like earlobe piercings, are more common and less risky than other body piercings. However, without the right care, you can experience complications after any new piercing, like an infection or your piercing closing.
The first step to caring for your piercing is choosing a qualified piercer. Choose an experienced piercer in a licensed studio.
Once you have your new piercing, keep it looking and feeling good by following these aftercare tips from board-certified dermatologists.
Leave your jewelry in your new piercing for six weeks or more, even at night. Removing your starter jewelry too early may cause the piercings to close.
Keep clean:
This helps prevent infection.
Using petroleum jelly that comes in a squeeze tube, gently apply a thin coat around each opening. You always want to use a squeeze tube because it will prevent you from transferring any germs that may be in an open jar to your piercings. The petroleum jelly will keep the piercings moist. A moist wound heals faster.
Keep an eye on your piercing. If the skin around your piercing gets sore, red, or puffy, or a hole oozes yellowish liquid, you may have an infection. If any of these don’t go away quickly, see a board-certified dermatologist. If the skin around your piercing becomes raised, you may be developing a type of scar called a keloid.
If you feel a keloid developing or have questions about caring for your piercings, partner with a board-certified dermatologist.
Images
Video created by the American Academy of Dermatology
Getty Images
Written by:
Brooke Schleehauf
Reviewed by:
Laurel Geraghty, MD, FAAD
Neelam Khan, MD, MS, FAAD
Ata Moshiri, MD, MPH, FAAD
Darrell S. Rigel, MD, FAAD
Sanna Ronkainen, MD, FAAD
Desmond Shipp, MD, FAAD
Last updated: 9/18/23