How Long Do Ear Piercings Take to Heal?

You’re here because you want to know, “How long does it take pierced ears to heal?” Well, there are averages and norms. But truthfully, these are just guidelines.

The thing is, your ear piercing healing time is as unique as your biology. That’s before you get into different average healing times for different types of ear piercings.

But generally, you can expect the following healing times or thereabouts:

Lobe Piercing

These are typically the least painful and quickest to heal, taking about six-eight weeks. That said, everyone's healing journey is different. So, don’t be surprised if yours takes a bit longer.

Cartilage Piercing

This includes helix, tragus, rook, and more. Cartilage is a bit more stubborn than your soft, squishy lobes. This is why cartilage piercings can take anywhere from three months to a year to fully heal.

As you can see, healing isn’t a one-size-fits-all process. There’s a ton of factors that can impact how long it takes, like:

Jewellery Material

Cheap metals can irritate your skin. Keep it healthy and happy by opting for high-quality options like 14kt gold or titanium to avoid allergic reactions.

Age and Health

Age isn’t just a number when it comes to pierced ears healing. Younger folks tend to heal faster, while older skin can take a bit longer. The same goes for your general state of health. The better it is, the quicker your ears will adapt to their new piercings.

Ear Piercing Aftercare

Your ears will heal faster when you religiously follow a good aftercare routine (and we’ll show you how shortly). Conversely, you can expect delays, or even get your earlobe piercing infected, if you’re slacking off.

Lifestyle Habits and Hygiene

Sleeping on your piercings, touching them with unwashed hands, or yanking on them while brushing your hair? All of these can slow down your healing process.

So, you’ve made it past the first few weeks. At this stage, you might stop wondering, “How long do ear piercings take to heal?” and start asking “How can I tell if my piercing is healing properly?”

But truthfully, don’t panic if you experience any of the following symptoms. They might seem a bit off. But they’re telltale signs your ear piercings are on the right road to recovery:

• Mild Redness & Occasional Itching – This is totally normal. It’s just your body’s way of adapting to its new addition.
• Minimal Clear Discharge - This is just your body cleaning out the area. Think of it as your ear’s built-in housekeeping service.
• No Pain or Swelling - You’re in good shape if it feels tender but not painful.

And stick with your piercing jewellery for the time being. The temptation to change it early is real. But resistance isn’t futile if you want to avoid infection and other unnecessary complications! So, wait until you’re sure your piercings are fully healed before swapping out those rings or studs.

Jeez, is that an infection? Not great. But it happens to the best of us…

Your ear piercing starts acting up. And the next thing you’re Googling “ear lobe piercing infected.”

Here’s how to spot any signs of trouble on the horizon:

Persistent Redness & Swelling

It’s a clear sign something’s wrong if your ear piercing looks angry and feels hot to the touch.

Yellow or Green Discharge

Clear discharge is cool. Pestilent, not so much.

Continuous Pain

A degree of tenderness is normal. But you might have an infection if it’s throbbing.

And if the worst comes to the worst? Getting an earlobe piercing infected isn’t a detour anybody wants to take. But you can still reach your destination by staying calm and taking relevant action – pronto!

Don’t panic if you suspect an infection. Follow these surefire steps instead:

Ready to keep infections at bay? Here’s what you need to incorporate into your daily MO:

Clean Hands Always

Wash those hands like you’re prepping for surgery before you even think about touching your piercings.

Pamper Your Piercings with Saline Sprays & Soaks

A quick mist of LobeLove™ Professional Saline Piercing Spray twice a day can flush out any nasties and speed up your healing process by keeping everything hydrated. Just spray and let it dry. No need to rinse.

FYI This professional grade saline solution for piercings is superior to other cleaners because it’s gentle yet effective. LobeLove™ Professional Saline Piercing Spray contains 0.9% sodium chloride, just enough to clean without causing irritation. Plus, it’s alcohol-free, preservative-free, and environmentally friendly, so you can feel good about using it.

It’s impossible to overstress how ear piercing aftercare is EVERYTHING. And LobeLove™ Professional Saline Piercing Spray really is your new BFF.

No Twisting or Turning

Piercers used to tell you to twist your earrings back in the day. Forget this advice! It’s outdated and can actually damage the healing tissue.

Pro tip:

Don’t use alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or anything that stings. These ingredients dry out your skin and prolong the healing process.

So, you’re already dreaming about stretching those lobes? Well, steady on and hit the brakes for a moment!

Here’s what you need to know first to avoid complications and ensure a smooth stretching process, (although it doesn’t stop you picking your plugs ready for when the time’s right):

Don’t just ditch your aftercare routine after your piercing’s healed. It’s far better to keep up a good ear piercing aftercare routine to ensure your ears stay happy in the longer term. This can be as quick, easy, and common sense as:

• Weekly Saline Sprays - A quick spritz of LobeLove™ Professional Saline Piercing Spray once a week when you are changing up jewellery or giving your piercings a clean helps your ears live their best life.
• Invest in Good Jewellery – Paying extra for great quality jewellery goes beyond aesthetics. At the end of the day, cheap metals can cause reactions, slow down healing, and lead to infections. So, stick with more premium options like titanium, surgical steel and solid gold.
• Be Gentle – Always handle with care. No yanking, pulling, and tugging.

Q: How long do ear piercings take to heal?

A: A lobe piercing takes about six-eight weeks, while cartilage can take up to a year. So, prepare to be patient.

Q: Can I use saltwater instead of saline solution for piercings?

A: DIY saltwater can be too harsh if it’s not mixed properly. For this reason, it’s preferable to stick with a well-reputed solution like LobeLove™ Professional Saline Piercing Spray.

Q: How do I know if I get my earlobe piercing infected?

A: Look for redness, swelling, pain, and greenish discharge. And treat your piercing ASAP with LobeLove™ Professional Saline Piercing Spray to stop infection in its tracks.

Q: When can I start stretching my ears after a new piercing?

A: Wait at least four-six months, even if your piercings feel healed.

You asked, “How long do ear piercings take to heal?” The Stretch It Body Jewellery team answered. And we hope we’ve provided loads more valuable information, not just about ear piercing healing time, but many other elements of the piercing journey.

Now you’re ready to heal your piercings like a pro and ace your ear piercing aftercare.

Remember, patience, consistency, and good aftercare are your best friends in this process. And ultimately, a healthy, fully healed piercing is your best starting point if you’re planning to stretch.

So, welcome to the piercing squad! Check out our website for our LobeLove™ range of professional products for levelling up your aftercare game. And explore our treasure chest of jewellery and ear stretching kits. Until then, happy healing!