New year, new piercing? Ensuring your new ear piercing heals safely this new year should be a top resolution! Ear piercing care and aftercare are critical to making sure your new piercing stays healthy and heals properly. Here we discuss how to care for newly pierced ears and what you need to know.
First, you should know there’s a difference between an earlobe piercing and a cartilage piercing. If you just had your cartilage pierced, you have a 12 week window before you can safely change your earrings. If you had your earlobe pierced, the time period is a bit shorter. After 6 weeks, you can safely change your earrings.
Once you’ve determined what your healing period is, the aftercare for both types of piercings is the same. Here are some easy tips to follow:
Clean Hands – Always wash your hands thoroughly before ever touching your ears or earrings.
Cleaning – Gently clean the front & back of your piercing with a cotton swab soaked in Ear Care Antiseptic, 3X every day. Gently rotate your piercing earrings at least 3X a day, ideally after you have applied your Ear Care Antiseptic.
Check your Earring Back – After cleaning and before bed, check to make sure that your earring back is fastened securely.
Protect your Piercing – Avoid irritating your piercing with products such as hair spray, shampoo, soap, perfume or cosmetics. Vacationing somewhere warm this winter? It’s best to avoid any public pools, hot tubs, freshwater swimming, or the ocean for the first 6 weeks after your piercing, too. If you’re an athlete, protect your new piercing with a band aid or sports tape during game & practice.
After your Piercing Heals – Here is what you need to know to prevent your piercing from closing:
Earlobe Piercings – for the first 6 months AFTER your 6 week healing period, do not go longer than 24 hours without wearing an earring or your piercing may close.
Cartilage Piercings – for the first 6 months AFTER your 12 week healing period, you must wear earrings 24/7 or your piercing will close. You can change earring styles but be sure to replace your earrings immediately.
By following these basic care instructions, you’ll be on the right path to a happy and healthy ear piercing. Aftercare is just as important – if not more important – than the actual piercing process, so make sure you’re following instructions! If you have any questions, please visit our website here.
PLEASE NOTE: if you have any pain, redness or swelling that last for more than 24 hours, we advise that you contact your doctor immediately.