Healing signs:

• No redness or discoloration is present at piercing site

• No “crusties” or other discharge is present and hasn’t been noticed in ~6 weeks

• The piercing openings are smooth and flat

• The piercing itself is not thickened, no healing-ridge is present

• Piercing area is not painful*

  *Many piercings have little to no pain at all during healing which makes it difficult to use pain as a metric. But if there is any pain at all, stop all attempts to remove jewelry and begin hot water compressing immediately. Let the site rest for a few weeks before attempting another changeout and prepare well in advance.