Getting your ears pierced is an exciting experience! After the initial piercing, your piercer will likely recommend waiting 6-8 weeks before changing the earrings to allow proper healing. Many people wonder if it’s okay to change their earrings sooner than the recommended timeline. Here, we’ll explore whether it’s safe to change your earrings after 7 weeks.
The Ear Piercing Healing Process
When you get your ears pierced, the piercer places a hollow needle through your earlobe to create the piercing. This process causes a wound that needs proper time and care to heal. Here are the basic stages of the piercing healing process:
- Initial piercing – The piercing needle creates an open wound in the earlobe.
- Early healing – The first 2 weeks when the wound starts closing up.
- Later healing – Around 6-8 weeks when the piercing should be fully healed.
It takes time for the punctured skin and tissues to regenerate and seal. Changing earrings too soon can disrupt this healing process and lead to complications.
Risks of Changing Earrings Too Early
Changing your earrings before the recommended 6-8 week timeline does involve some risks, including:
- Infection – The piercing is still an open wound at 7 weeks. Introducing new earrings increases bacteria exposure leading to infection.
- Bleeding/swelling – The tissues around the piercing are still healing and fragile. Changing earrings can cause irritation, bleeding and swelling.
- Scarring – Fragile tissues that are disrupted trying to change earrings may lead to thicker, visible scarring.
- Closure – The piercing hole could close back up if changed too early, requiring re-piercing.
Infections require antibiotic treatment to clear up. Other issues like bleeding and scarring can become permanent problems. It’s best to avoid any complications by waiting the full healing period.
The Healing Period Varies
While 6-8 weeks is the average healing timeline, your individual piercing may take a shorter or longer time to heal based on:
- Location – Earlobe, cartilage or other body piercings heal differently.
- Age – Younger individuals may heal slightly faster.
- Health – Medical conditions like diabetes slow healing.
- Aftercare – Proper cleaning promotes healing.
- Jewelry – Well-fitted, hypoallergenic metals help healing.
Talk to your piercer about your specific circumstances for their recommendation on when your piercing should be fully healed.
What to Look for Before Changing Earrings
Instead of Going by time alone, look for these signs your piercing is ready for earring changes:
- No more pain, soreness or discomfort
- No swelling, redness, bumps or irritation
- No crust or discharge around the piercing
- Jewelry can be moved easily without resistance or tugging
Your piercer can assess these factors during a follow-up appointment to confirm it’s healed and ready for a jewelry change.
How to Change Earrings Safely
Once your piercer gives the all-clear, follow these safe earring changing guidelines:
- Wash hands thoroughly before handling piercing.
- Use a gentle, antimicrobial soap when cleaning piercing and new earrings.
- Carefully insert the new earring into the existing hole without forcing.
- Avoid over-cleaning or moving the earring for a few days after changing.
- Consider changing just one earring first to see how it heals.
- Watch for signs of new irritation and see your piercer if any develop.
Take it slow and gently to avoid aggravating the area. Seek professional help if the area seems irritated or the hole closes up.
Alternative Options If Not Fully Healed
If your piercing doesn’t seem completely healed yet at 7 weeks, consider these alternatives:
- Wait longer – Give your piercing a full 2 months or more to allow for complete healing.
- Temporary clip-ons – Adhere clip-on earrings around piercings until fully healed.
- Piercer help – Have your piercer insert new earrings to avoid complications.
- Only one ear – Change just one piercing at a time to test it.
Rushing the healing process usually leads to trouble. Get your piercer’s guidance on how long to properly wait based on your unique situation.
Conclusion
While it may be tempting to change your earrings around 7 weeks after piercing, it’s best to wait the full recommended 6-8 weeks or longer. Changing too early risks hitting complications that can lead to permanent damage and loss of the piercing. Be patient, watch for complete healing and enlist your piercer’s help to determine the right time to safely change your piercing.