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Got an ear piercing but wondering if it could close up if you stop wearing earrings? Whether it’s lobe piercings or the trendier cartilage piercings, the fate of your piercing hole depends on how long it’s been there, how well it’s cared for, and whether your piercing is fully healed. While some piercings can stay open for years, others might seal shut in just 24 hours! Curious about how this works and what to do if you end up with a closed ear piercing? Let’s delve into the guide of piercing healing, closure, and reopening to keep your ear jewelry game on point.
How Long Does It Take for an Ear Piercing to Close?
When you get a brand new piercing, it is important to be patient, as the healing process can take several months. An ear piercing may close up over time if it’s left without jewelry, but the closure rate can vary depending on various factors, such as the type of piercing, the age of the piercing, and how long the hole has been in place.
Lobe Piercings
Lobe piercings, which are the most common type, typically heal relatively quickly, often within 6 to 8 weeks. However, if jewelry is removed and not replaced, the hole may start to close within a few hours to a few days, especially if the piercing is new. Older lobe piercings that have been healed for years are generally more resistant to closing, but they may still shrink or partially close if left without jewelry for extended periods.
Cartilage Piercings
Cartilage piercings, such as those in the upper ear or the helix, take longer to heal, typically around 3 to 6 months or longer. Because cartilage piercings are deeper and the healing process is slower, they tend to remain open longer. However, if jewelry is removed, the piercing may close up over time, often more slowly than lobe piercings.
Other Piercings
Industrial and Tragus piercings, along with other cartilage piercings, may close up within a few weeks to months if left without jewelry. The healing process and closure time can depend on factors like the type of piercing and individual healing rates.
What Factors Influence Ear Piercing Closure?
Several factors can impact the likelihood of an ear piercing closing up after removing jewelry, including:
Age of the Piercing
The longer the piercing has been in place, the less likely it is to close. New piercings (less than a few months old) are more prone to closing, especially in cartilage.
Healing Time
Piercings that have fully healed are generally less likely to close. Once the healing process is complete, the tissue has adapted to the jewelry, making it harder for the hole to close completely.
Piercing Type
Lobe piercings are more likely to close if jewelry is removed than cartilage piercings, which are more durable due to the nature of the cartilage.
Jewelry Type
Wearing jewelry made from non-irritating metals like titanium or gold can help prevent the piercing from closing. Jewelry that is the correct size and material reduces the chances of irritation, which might cause the piercing to close prematurely.
Skin Type
People with oily skin may experience faster healing, but they might also notice their piercing closing quicker if jewelry is not worn. In contrast, individuals with dry or sensitive skin might experience slower healing but a more persistent piercing.
The Role of Scar Tissue in Closure
One of the key factors that prevent ear piercings from closing too quickly is the formation of scar tissue around the piercing hole. When a piercing is fully healed, the body creates this tissue as part of the natural healing process. This tissue helps to stay open the passage, preventing the hole from closing. Scar tissue can make reopening a closed ear piercing more challenging if the hole has been completely sealed.
Can You Reopen a Closed Ear Piercing?
If your ear piercing has closed but you would like to reopen it, it is possible, though it depends on the extent of closure and the age of the piercing.
Recent Closure
If the piercing closed recently, you can open it by simply inserting jewelry into the hole and gently pushing through the tissue. It’s important to sanitize the jewelry and the piercing site before doing this to avoid infection.
Partially Closed Piercing
For a piercing that has partially closed, reopen it by carefully using a needle or professional piercing tool. This should only be done by a piercing professional to avoid injury and infection.
Completely Closed Piercing
If the piercing has completely closed, the tissue has healed over the hole. This makes it impossible to reopen the piercing without professional intervention. In this case, you may need to re-pierce the ear. A professional piercer will evaluate the tissue and decide the best approach to reopening the hole safely.
How to Prevent Your Ear Piercing from Closing
To prevent your piercings from closing, it’s important to maintain proper aftercare, especially during the healing process; here are a few tips:
Leave Jewelry In
If you’re concerned about your piercing closing, keep jewelry in at all times, especially during the healing phase. If you need to remove jewelry temporarily, consider using retainers (clear or skin-toned jewelry) to maintain the hole without drawing attention.
Avoid Removing Jewelry Too Early
It’s essential to wait until the piercing is fully healed before removing jewelry for an extended period. If you remove the jewelry prematurely, the hole can shrink quickly.
Use Proper Jewelry
Always wear jewelry that is appropriate for your piercing size and shape. This minimizes irritation and promotes healing, reducing the chance of closure.
Regular Cleaning
Keep the area clean and free from infections by following proper piercing aftercare. This will promote healing and prevent the formation of scar tissue that could cause the piercing to close.
Conclusion
Whether your ear piercings will stay open or close depends on several factors, including how long you’ve had the piercing, the type of piercing, and how well you care for it. Lobe piercings tend to heal more quickly and are less likely to close up than cartilage piercings. Once a piercing is fully healed, the piercing hole is more likely to remain open, but scar tissue can still make the hole smaller if earrings are not worn for an extended period. If your piercing has partially closed, it’s possible to reopen it with the help of a board-certified professional, but it’s always best to take care of your piercings to avoid closure in the first place.
