EARLOBE PIERCING CARE INSTRUCTIONS

HEALING RATES:

1-Pair: 4-6 months

2-Pair: ~6 months

3-4-Pair: ~8+ months

DO:

  • Flushing rinse to area; showers are best for this

  • Monitor the earring backs* (open butterfly-style) and carefully adjust as needed with clean hands

  • Practice moving the earring back on another earring that has holding grooves. Then switch hands!

  • Wait to change the starter jewelry until the piercings are fully healed. (How to tell?)

  • Hot water compress as needed for discomfort and following earring back adjustment (JIC)

 

DON’T:

  • Turn the earrings: surgical implant steel jewelry used for healing

  • Touch, turn or flip the earlobe* when monitoring the piercings, not even a slight push - use cell phone light

  • Use fuzzy or knitted pillows, pillow covers, blankets or sleep with stuffed animals

  • Remove/change the healing jewelry before fully healed, no matter what!

  • Trampolines and kids’ healing earrings do not get along very well… Avoid at all cost!

Never use any of the following:

Rubbing alcohol:

Too drying, can harm new forming skin cells

Hydrogen peroxide:

Can cause infection by adding oxygen into the deeper tissues

Saline: 

While saline doesn’t really cause harm, it is mostly just a waste of time. The spray delivery only contacts the surface which can be done with warm water in the shower to the same effect. Alternatively, saline can be heated and used to soak the piercing site for ~20-minutes. Shower rinse is easier!

Soaps:

Drying and can get stuck inside the piercing where it can grow bacteria

Antibiotic gel or lotion:

Only safe for topical use, so there is a high risk of it going into the piercing where it can grow bacteria

*The two most common healing issues with earlobe piercing are damage from tight earring backs and infection from the movement of the earlobe to “look” at the back.

common healing issues

Here are some links to more detailed information on some of the most common issues healing body piercings.

Fluid Discharge & “Crusties” - Know what you’re seeing

Swelling & Fluid Congestion

Embedding From Tight Earring Back(s)

getting help

  • Use these tips before attempting first changeout.

  • Begin hot water compressing as detailed in this link.

  • Have someone else take a clear picture of the piercing - this is a much better way to monitor it than mirrors or trying to selfie. And you can text it to us for evaluation.

  • Schedule a care appointment if there is no improvement after the 3rd day of hot water compressing. Do not remove or manipulate the piercing jewelry.

Text us: 724-745-9415