Taking proper care of your piercing and doing your aftercare diligently is key for optimal healing. Read through this guide to learn all about how to take care of your new piercing and what to expect during the healing process.
HOW LONG WILL MY PIERCING TAKE TO HEAL?
While healing times can vary for everyone, it’s dependent on factors such as your overall health, sleep and stress levels, and your aftercare regimen.
Typically, ear lobe piercings take around 4-6 months, while upper or inner ear piercings take between 6-12+ months to fully heal.
You’ll know your ear is healed once any discharge, swelling, redness, flaking, or soreness stops. In general, your piercing should continue to feel better with time and a consistent aftercare routine!
Initial Healing* Time Frames:
*Tissue heals from the outside in. During the initial healing, your piercing may feel fine on the outside, but the interior may still be healing.
Earlobe: 6-8 weeks
Helix: 2-4 months
Forward Helix: 2-4 months
Flat: 2-4 months
Conch: 2-4 months
Tragus: 2-4 months
Daith: 2-4 months
Rook: 2-4 months
Industrial: 3-6 months
Full Healing* Time Frames:
*Your piercing is fully healed, both on the outside and the inside. *At this point, you may change your jewelry to hoops and fashion styles of jewelry.
Earlobe: 4-6 months
Helix: 6-9+ months
Forward Helix: 6-9+ months
Flat: 6-9+ months
Conch: 6-9+ months
Tragus: 6-9+ months
Daith: 6-9+ months
Rook: 6-9+ months
Industrial: 8 months - 1+ year
Note: This is not exact as everyone heals differently.
HOW SHOULD I CLEAN MY PIERCING?
- Prior to cleaning your new piercing, thoroughly wash your hands. Other than to clean your piercing, avoid touching it as much as possible—do NOT rotate or twist.
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Spray the front and back of your piercing with sterile saline solution, 2 to 3 times a day. For certain piercings, it may be easier to apply using a clean non-woven gauze saturated with saline solution. Avoid using harsh soaps, or soaps with dyes or fragrances.
- Rinse the pierced sites (front and back) and surrounding area with water as needed to remove cleaning solution residue. Moving or rotating jewelry is not necessary during cleaning or rinsing.
- Dry the area by gently patting with clean, disposable paper products. Cloth towels can harbor bacteria and snag on jewelry causing injury!
AFTERCARE TIPS BY PIERCING LOCATION
If you received any of these piercings, here are some tips to consider during the healing process of your piercing(s).
EAR LOBES AND HELIX (CARTILAGE)
- Avoid makeup and any hair products.
- Thoroughly wash-off any excess debris.
- Use a travel pillow to sleep.
- Avoid touching or twisting jewelry.
ADVANCED CARTILAGE PIERCINGS (ROOK, FORWARD HELIX, DAITH, CONCH,TRAGUS, INDUSTRIAL)
- Avoid headphones as they can put pressure on the piercing.
- Avoid makeup and any hair products.
- Use a travel pillow to sleep.
- Avoid touching or twisting jewelry.
- Thoroughly wash-off any excess debris.
- Be careful when styling your hair or getting it styled.
NOSTRIL
- Avoid makeup, creams, serums and or face wash directly on the piercing.
- If you have a cold or allergies, be gentle when blowing your nose.
SEPTUM
- Do not pick at debris buildup. Use warm water or saline and gently remove it.
- If you have a cold or allergies, be gentle when blowing your nose.
NAVEL
- Avoid clothing that does not rub on piercing. Ex. high waisted pants or jeans resting on the piercing.
- Avoid body creams, moisturizers and perfumes directly on piercing.
- Avoid other bodily fluids.
- Refrain from any exercises that require the use of your abdominal
- Avoid swimming in chlorinated pool water, lakes and other bodies of water during the healing process.
NIPPLE
- Avoid moisturizers, body creams directly on piercing.
- Avoid other bodily fluids.
- Avoid tight clothing, lace bras, and woven fabrics.
- Avoid using loofah when showering.
- Be careful hugging people, changing clothes as it can get caught and yanked on your piercing.
Pro Tips:
- Do not use cotton swabs/pads, as the fibers can get caught under your jewelry and irritate your piercing. We recommend using non-woven gauze or spraying saline directly onto the front and back of your piercing!
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Exercise during healing is fine; listen to your body. We recommend avoiding contact sports that may potentially cause your piercing to get bumped around.
- Make sure your bedding is washed and changed regularly. Wear clean, comfortable, breathable clothing that protects your piercing while you are sleeping.
- Try your best to avoid sleeping directly on your fresh piercing(s). (Pro Tip: Use a travel pillow and place your ear in the middle hole of the pillow when laying down on your side.)
- Stay dry(ish). Avoid submerging your new piercing in water such as pools, baths, and oceans! Showering is fine, just remember to keep your piercing clean, and rinse thoroughly of any residual soap.
WHAT IS NORMAL DURING A PIERCING'S HEALING PROCESS?
During the first few weeks, some bleeding, localized swelling, tenderness, and/or bruising is expected. Throughout your healing process, you may also notice some discoloration, itching, and the secretion of a whitish-yellow fluid (not pus) that will form some crust on the jewelry—this is also normal! The tissue may tighten around the jewelry as it heals. Once your piercing is healed, the jewelry may not move freely in the piercing; do not force it!
If you don’t stick to a regular cleaning regimen for your piercing, some body secretions may accumulate with a faint smell. This is normal, and we recommend including cleaning as part of your daily hygiene routine.
It’s important to know that a piercing might seem healed before the healing process is complete. This is because tissue heals from the outside in, and although it feels fine, the interior remains fragile. The key is to be patient, and keep cleaning throughout the entire initial healing period.
If you remove your piercing jewelry, it’s possible that your piercing may shrink or close in minutes! This varies from person to person, and we recommend keeping your piercing jewelry in until it is fully healed.
If you have any questions about your piercing, you’re always welcome to reach out to us at mendozajewelry.us@gmail.com or IG DM.
**If you experience any abnormal symptoms outside of those listed above, we recommend checking in with your doctor.**
HAPPY HEALING!
Thank you for reviewing our aftercare guide and polishing up your piercing knowledge. If you have any post-service concerns, please contact us.
XOXO,
Karla Mendoza