Healing time varies with the type of piercing, the jewellery, your skin and how well the area is protected. Most importantly, a piercing can look settled on the outside before the inside has finished healing.
How long do piercings take to heal?
Lobes often settle sooner than cartilage, while areas such as the navel can take considerably longer. Do not change jewellery simply because swelling has gone down. Ask your piercer when a downsize or jewellery change is appropriate.
Signs your piercing is healing
Mild tenderness, light swelling and a small amount of clear or pale fluid can be normal early on. Increasing pain, heat, spreading redness, heavy swelling, pus or feeling unwell are reasons to contact a qualified healthcare professional. Do not remove jewellery from a potentially infected piercing without professional advice.
Why aftercare matters
Cleaning reduces the chance of irritation and infection, but over-cleaning can be just as unhelpful. The goal is a clean area with as little handling, pressure and friction as possible.
The core routine
Wash your hands before touching the piercing. Use the saline solution recommended by your studio, let softened residue rinse away and pat dry with a clean disposable towel. Do not twist the jewellery, pick crust or apply alcohol, peroxide, ointment or fragranced products unless a professional has told you to.
Care by placement
Keep pillowcases and headphones clean around ear and cartilage piercings. For mouth and lip piercings, follow the studio's guidance for an alcohol-free mouth rinse and avoid foods that irritate the area at first. Keep both sides of a nose piercing clean. Loose clothing helps reduce friction around navel and nipple piercings.
What not to do
Avoid swimming, soaking and unnecessary touching while the piercing heals. Do not sleep directly on a fresh cartilage piercing, change jewellery too early or let hair, cosmetics and tight clothing catch on it.