I still remember the time when I got my very first piercing, I was excited to go home and change the piercing with my favorite stud.
However, I was lucky enough to be stopped before changing my piercing.
But why should one not change piercing immediately after getting it?
It turns out that it hinders the healing process, and can develop complications.
So, when can one change one’s piercing?
The answer to this is simple, however, sometimes the simplest things are the most complicated things ever!
But don’t worry here is a detailed blog on ‘when can I change my piercing’ with an effective after-care routine and some of the most asked questions.
When can I change my earrings?
Buying your first earrings is bliss, and everyone wants to swap their earrings with new ones.
But hold on, the healing time of the piercing depends upon the part of the ear in question.
There are two parts of the ear where the piercing is done.
- The hard cartilage part is present on the upper side of the ear (cartilage piercing).
- The soft ear lobe is present in the lower part of the ear (lobe piercing)
The healing time is different for both of them.
Let’s have a look at the healing time of both types of piercing.
When can I change my earlobe piercing?
Earlobe piercings are one of the most common piercings, and that’s why there are thousands of adorable earring options available for you, this may develop an urge to change the earring right away.
However, according to professional piercers, one should not change one’s earlobe piercings before 4 to 6 weeks ( 1 month to 1.5 months).
This 4 to 6 week is called healing time and your piercing is healing.
During this time it is best not to touch it or change your piercings as it may hinder the healing process plus it can also lead to infection and irritation.
When can I change my cartilage piercing?
Cartilage piercings take longer to heal than ear lobe piercings.
It is because, cartilage has relatively less blood supply, which makes the healing process a long one.
So as for cartilage piercing, it takes 4 to 6 months to heal.
Here too it is not advisable to rotate or play with the piercing as it can hinder the healing process.
How do I know if my piercing is healed?
To know whether your piercing is healed or not, there are some signs that you need to look for.
- All discharge like blood and puss has ceased for at least a week.
- You can rotate the piercing freely.
- No more pain.
These all signs show that your piercing is completely healed and now you are free to swap it with your favorite one.
Best Piercing Aftercare
If you think that piercing aftercare is hard and expensive then you are wrong.
Piercing aftercare is affordable and very easy to do.
All you need to do is make or buy a saline solution and you are good to go.
Follow the steps given below for the best piercing aftercare.
- Wash your hands with soap and water before doing the aftercare routine.
- In a bowl take some saline solution.
- Dip a cotton pad in the solution and apply it to the piercing.
- Gently clean all the build-up and make sure not to rotate the earring.
- Now that your piercings are clean, wipe them with a clean cloth.
You should also wash your piercing with mild soap and water while you bathe, and make sure to apply moisturizer during the day.
And there you go easy and effective piercing aftercare.
Why piercing aftercare is important?
Now you must be thinking, why is piercing aftercare important?
Here is the thing, your piercing will develop a layer of dead cells, dried blood, and other discharge.
This also means that it will become a favorite place for bacteria to live in.
Bacteria are the reasons for infection and funky smell.
If you won’t clean your piercings, they will give out a funky-cheese smell, will develop an infection, and can even lead to a serious ear infection.
On the other hand, if you clean your piercings regularly, you will prevent the build-up which means that the piercing will be exposed to fresh air, making the healing process a lot faster.
You May Also Like: How To Clean Earrings? – A Detailed Guide
Should I twist my ear piercing?
During the initial days, it is not recommended to twist your piercing.
Twisting your piercing will create friction which will exaggerate the wound.
However, if it is necessary like while cleaning or to check whether your piercing is healed or not, a little bit of twisting is allowed.
Can I shower after an ear piercing?
Yes, it is one of the best things to do after a piercing.
When you shower make sure to clean your piercing with mild soap and water, this will wash all the blood and puss as well.
But make sure to use mild soap as harsh chemicals might irritate the skin.
Which piercing heals fastest?
Different piercings have different healing times and the fastest healing time is for tongue piercing.
Tounge has a good blood supply and because of this, the piercing heals at a much faster rate.
Is it normal for my ears to bleed after changing earrings?
This depends on person to person.
Some bleed while changing earrings, though the blood should be little (a drop or so), or else this means that either your piercing is not healed or there is some other condition that needs medical attention.
Can piercings close in minutes?
Yes, You may be surprised to know that piercings can clot in minutes!
Hence, one should not remove one’s earrings after piercing till it is completely healed.
Parting words
And that’s it.
It was all you need to know about when can i change my piercings.
To speed up the healing process, effective aftercare and precautions are necessary, it will keep infections at bay and your piercing will heal without any issues.
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