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Getting new piercings? You’ve got to play the patience game while they heal up nicely. Here’s what you need to know about waiting for that fresh ear candy to settle in:
| Type of Piercing | Healing Time |
|---|---|
| Earlobe | 1 – 2 months |
| Helix | 3 – 6 months |
| Tragus | 3 – 6 months |
When it comes to earlobe piercings, it’s a quick sprint, healing up in just about 1 to 2 months (1). Now, cartilage piercings, like the helix or tragus, are more of a marathon, needing somewhere between 6 months to a year to be all good. You’ve got to show some love to that starter earring, letting it chill for at least 12 weeks. Yank it out too soon, and you might be inviting some trouble like infection (2).
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If you’re itching to swap that starter bling, check out our guide on when can I change my ear piercing for some handy advice.
Cleaning and Care Tips
Staying one step ahead with care tips will keep those piercings happy and healthy. Follow these nuggets of wisdom to ensure yours shines without a hitch:
- Saline Solution Soak: Give your piercings the spa treatment with a saline solution twice daily. It’ll shoo away bacteria and help you heal.
- Avoid Touching or Twisting: Keep those pesky fingers off unless they’re squeaky clean! Twisting can unsettle the piercing, dragging out the healing.
- Gentle Cleansing: Grab a cotton swab, soak it in saline, and gently clean around the piercing to tackle any crust that’s popped up.
- Keep Jewelry In Place: No premature jewelry shopping—let your bling chill until the piercings are fully healed so the holes don’t vanish.
- Monitor for Infection: Be on the lookout for red flags like redness, swelling, or weird gunk. If any of that shows up, call in the pros ASAP.
Got a bump in the road? Our advice on how to get rid of piercing bumps has got your back.
Stick to this care routine, and not only will you ace the healing, you’ll keep flaunting that stylish sparkle with ease. For a heads-up before getting your ears pierced, check out our piece on what should I know before getting my first ear piercing.
Sleeping with Ear Piercings
Alright, so you’ve got fresh ear piercings, and you’re wondering how to hit the hay without turning your night into a horror movie. No worries, we’ve got you covered on how to sleep soundly with those new lobe piercings.
The Perils of Sleeping with Earrings
Leaving earrings in while catching Z’s might sometimes throw a bit of a wrench in your peace. Here’s the scoop:
- Snags & Tears: Pillow wrangling can shove earrings into your ears and cause rips. Ouch!
- Ouchy Head: The pressure might make your noggin feel like it ran a marathon.
- Germ Fest: Tight earring backs are like a new rave for bacteria. Moisture and germs love the shelter and can easily crank up infections (3).
- Nickel Nightmares: If your earrings throw some nickel into the mix, your ears might get all red and itchy. Can’t tell you it’s fun—it isn’t. Around 30% folks are nickel-sensitive.
Earring Picks for Snoozing
Choosing the right sleepy ear buddies is a game-changer. Here’s our lineup:
- Surgical Steel: Won’t mess with allergies—it’s like your good allergy-free pal.
- Sterling Silver: Skin-friendly and easy on the wallet.
- 18-Karat Gold: Got flair for fancy? This one’s your golden child (beware, it’ll cost ya).
- ComfyEarrings: These are your ride-or-die, designed to make sleep comfier with flat screw-on backs.
| Earring Type | Perks | Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Surgical Steel | Great for sensitive skin, hard-wearing | Rarely triggers an allergy |
| Sterling Silver | Kind and inexpensive | Everyday buddy |
| 18-Karat Gold | Fancy and allergy-friendly | Pricey |
| ComfyEarrings | They play it cool with flat, comfy backs | Tailored for dreamland |
If you’re chomping at the bit for more tips about your ear decorations, or wanna dive into how to pamper your piercings, check our earlobe piercing guide.
Let’s keep those ear piercings healthy and hassle-free, even when you’re off in dreamland. Clean ’em up and stick to skin-friendly earrings. Curious about piercings? Peek at our feature on when can I change my ear piercing.
