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.
An orbital piercing describes any two holes connected by a hoop. They are typically done on the ear lobe, but they can also be done towards the middle of the ear (along the helix). Orbital piercings have the average shortest healing time, 8-10 weeks, aside from a standard lobe piercing.
Healing time differs from one part to another. The general healing period is 6 weeks for earlobes and 12 weeks for cartilage or helix. If you have a nose piercing, 4 weeks is sufficient. Keep in mind that this period is only possible if you have no infection or nickel reaction along the way.
What's the healing time? There are different types of tissue in different parts of your ear, so how long it takes to heal depends on your body and the place you've pierced. Earlobes usually take 6-8 weeks. If you pierce the cartilage on the side of your ear, it can take 4 months to a year.
For instance: If your piercing is less than a year old, it can close in a few days, and if your piercing is several years old, it can take several weeks.
Sea salt water rinses will speed healing and ease the healing process. Avoid drinking alcohol for the first weeks. Alcohol will increase your swelling and can make your piercing bleed.
The single best thing you can do for your piercing is to keep up a regular regimen of salt water soaks. These flush out the piercing, help to draw out discharge, stimulate blood circulation, and soothe irritations. We strongly suggest soaking your piercing at least twice a day—more often if healing is difficult.
It is important to note that your piercing may be tender or painful for up to 3-5 days after the procedure was performed. This is normal. Sleeping directly on your ears or side may prolong the tenderness due to the pressure on the piercing site.
Needles result in less tissue trauma, shorter healing time, and an overall more hygienic piercing procedure than piercing with a piercing gun. Needles also allow for your piercers to get a more precise piercing angle for the perfect piercing.
Most ear piercing pain – including redness, swollen ear lobes or cartilage and soreness – typically lasts anywhere from a day or two, to around a week after your piercing session. Most side effects will subside within 3-5 days.
Don't eat spicy, salty or acidy foods or liquids while you are healing. Avoid hot drinks such as hot chocolate, coffee, and tea. Eat cold foods and drinks as they lessen swelling. Be extra careful when eating crunchy foods.
It's normal to have some redness, swelling or pain for a couple of days after getting your ears pierced. But your ears should look and feel better each day. If you find that your ears do great and then suddenly start to become red, inflamed or crusty a week or two later, that's usually a sign of infection.
Do not use table salt, kosher salt, Epsom salts, or iodized sea salts: Non-iodized fine-grain sea salt is best for avoiding additives, as well as its ability to dissolve into a solution. Do not make the solution too salty: Too much salt can be irritating to the piercing and the skin.
tap water or distilled water. non-iodized table salt. baking soda (optional, but it helps make saline less irritating)
However, table salt contains iodine, which is a harsh chemical that will irritate sensitive areas like skin wounds. This is harmful to healing wounds because the extra chemicals and irritation can cause further inflammation and infection.
Avoid baths, hot tubs, swimming pools, saunas, lakes, etc. for the first three weeks after being pierced as they contain bacteria which can increase the risk of infection.
Make sure the water is warm enough to completely dissolve the salt. Keep in mind that the water must be cooled off before using the salt solution. Fill a longdrink glass / mug / bowl with 250 ml of warm water. Then add 1/4 to 1/2 a teaspoon sea salt and stir until the salt is dissolved.
Don't touch a new piercing or twist the jewelry unless you're cleaning it. Keep clothing away from the piercing, too. Excessive rubbing or friction can irritate your skin and delay healing. Keep the jewelry in place.
For ear piercings, it is recommended to wait 6-8 weeks before attempting to change your earring. This is recommended as 6-8 weeks is the length of time that it takes for a piercing to heal.
9. DON'T: Take out the piercing until it's completely healed. You should never swap out your jewelry before your piercing has completely healed. Doing so can lead to infection, scarring and even a rejection of the jewelry.