FAQ’s: Can I Take My Earrings Out To Clean Them?

Ear piercing aftercare is just as important as the ear piercing process itself, and following a piercing aftercare process can help you stay on track. Here are a few frequently asked questions with answers.

Do I Have To Follow Aftercare Instructions?

To help your piercing heal properly, it’s important that you follow the aftercare you are given at the time of your piercing.  The average healing time is 6 weeks for an earlobe piercing and 12 weeks for a cartilage piercing.

We recommend leaving your piercing earrings in and following your aftercare instructions for 6 weeks after an earlobe piercing and 12 weeks after a cartilage piercing. Visit our After Care Tips & Timeline for more details and tips for protecting your new piercing.

How Can I Clean my Earrings?

Newly pierced ears are sensitive and require special care and attention. It’s important to keep anything that comes in contact with your piercing clean. We recommend cleaning the front and back of your starter piercing earrings with a cotton swab soaked in ear care antiseptic while you are cleaning your piercing.

Can I Take My Earrings Out To Clean Them?

You should only switch into new earrings AFTER the healing period.  If you take your earrings out for any length of time during the healing period, the holes may close or you may find it difficult to re-insert earrings into a piercing hole that has not fully healed.

What Happens After the Healing Period?

Once your healing period has ended, you may change your earrings! We recommend wearing stud-style earrings for the first 6 months and to avoid heavy earring styles for the first 12 months.

First 6 Months AFTER Your Healing Period

Earlobe piercings (6 week healing period): never go more than 24 hours without wearing an earring or your piercing may close.

Cartilage piercings (12 week healing period):  wear earrings 24/7 to keep your  piercing from closing.

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