Getting your ears pierced is an exciting experience, but it also requires proper aftercare while the piercing heals. One common question many people have is whether they can drink alcohol after getting their ears pierced. The short answer is yes, you can drink alcohol after an ear piercing, but moderation is key. Read on to learn more about why alcohol intake should be limited after a new ear piercing and how long you should wait before drinking as normal.
How long should you wait before drinking after an ear piercing?
Experts typically recommend avoiding alcohol for at least 24-48 hours after getting an ear piercing. This allows the initial swelling and inflammation to go down and gives the wound some time to begin healing before introducing alcohol into your system. Alcohol can thin the blood, increase inflammation, and slow healing, which can lead to complications and prolong the healing process if you drink too soon after a new ear piercing. Some tips to keep in mind:
- Wait at least 24 hours before having any alcohol after an ear piercing.
- 48 hours is even better to allow more initial healing before drinking.
- Avoid heavy or binge drinking for at least 1 week after the piercing.
- The longer you can wait before drinking alcohol, the better.
Many professional piercers recommend avoiding alcohol for 2 weeks after a new piercing, but waiting at least 24-48 hours can make a significant difference in allowing initial healing. Err on the side of caution and avoid drinking at least for the first 1-2 days.
Why you should limit alcohol intake after an ear piercing
There are a few reasons why alcohol consumption should be limited, especially in the first few days and weeks after getting your ears pierced:
- Alcohol thins the blood – Thinned blood and alcohol’s effects on platelet function and levels can increase bleeding. This provides an opportunity for infections to set in.
- Increases inflammation – The inflammatory effects of alcohol can cause swelling, redness, irritation, and prolong healing.
- Dehydration – Alcohol’s diuretic effect can cause fluid loss and dehydration. Staying hydrated is vital for wound healing.
- Slows healing – Heavy alcohol intake after a piercing can hinder your white blood cells’ ability to heal wounds and fight infection.
- Interacts with medications – Alcohol should be avoided when taking antibiotics or over-the-counter pain meds after a piercing.
Drinking heavily right after an ear piercing makes it more likely for complications like bleeding, infections, and poor healing to occur. That’s why it’s best to refrain from drinking alcohol for at least the first 24-48 hours and limit quantities for 1-2 weeks after getting pierced.
How alcohol affects ear piercing healing
Healing from any wound, including ear piercings, occurs in several overlapping stages:
- Inflammation – Bleeding, swelling, redness, pain.
- Cell proliferation – Immune cells and fibroblasts begin repair.
- Remodeling – Collagen strengthens the wound months after.
Alcohol can negatively impact each phase of piercing healing:
- Stage 1 – Alcohol increases inflammation, bleeding risk, swelling, and minimizes immune defenses.
- Stage 2 – Heavy alcohol consumption suppresses immune cells needed for healing and cell proliferation.
- Stage 3 – Remodeling and collagen formation is hindered through alcohol’s effects on nutrients, hydration, circulation.
Additionally, alcohol interacts with medications prescribed or taken after piercings. This also slows down optimal healing:
- Over-the-counter pain medications – Increased risk of stomach bleeding and ulcers.
- Antibiotics – Decreased efficacy and resistance risk.
- Blood thinners – Significant bleeding risk when paired with alcohol.
Because of these combined effects and interactions, alcohol is best limited or avoided completely in the period right after an ear piercing while healing is underway.
How long to avoid alcohol after an ear piercing
Here are some general timelines to follow regarding alcohol consumption after an ear piercing:
- First 24-48 hours – Completely avoid alcohol during the initial healing stage.
- 1 week – Refrain from heavy drinking and limit yourself to 1-2 light drinks maximum per day.
- 2 weeks – You can slowly resume normal drinking levels, but continue to limit binge drinking.
- 1-3 months – Most ear piercings are fully healed. Heavy alcohol intake is less risky at this point.
However, this timeline can vary based on several factors:
- Ear piercing location – Lobes generally heal faster than cartilage.
- Jewelry type – Quality jewelry facilitates easier healing.
- Personal health – Medical conditions, medications, or lifestyle habits can affect healing.
- Aftercare practices – Proper cleaning and not touching the piercing speeds healing.
Some additional tips for cleaning and caring for a new ear piercing while consuming alcohol:
- Clean piercings with saline spray 2x daily even on days you drink.
- Be extra diligent about hygiene practices before drinking and the morning after.
- Don’t sleep on the piercing after drinking. Use a travel pillow if needed.
- Avoid contact sports, swimming, or activities that can introduce bacteria if you plan on drinking.
- Monitor pain levels and bleeding closely if consuming alcohol before the 2 week mark.
How to drink alcohol safely after an ear piercing
If you plan to have a drink within the first month after a new ear piercing, keep these safety tips in mind:
- Stick to clear liquors like vodka, gin, rum mixed with plenty of non-alcoholic drinks.
- Avoid drinking dark liquids like red wine or brown liquors which can stain.
- Use a straw to prevent contact between drinks and piercing. Don’t let ice cubes hit piercings.
- Rinse mouth with an alcohol-free oral rinse after drinking.
- Keep hair tied up and don’t let it contact piercings after drinking.
- Clean the piercing and jewelry thoroughly after drinking alcohol.
- Avoid shots, chugging, or binge drinking. Sip drinks slowly.
- Stay hydrated by drinking a glass of water between each alcoholic beverage.
Even when drinking in moderation, alcohol poses a risk to healing piercings. It’s best to limit intake as much as possible, especially right after the piercing is done. If you do choose to drink, be diligent with aftercare and observe any signs of complications.
What to do if an ear piercing gets infected
Some signs your ear piercing may be infected include:
- Redness
- Swelling
- Tenderness
- Green or yellow discharge
- Hot to the touch
- Fever or chills
See your piercer or doctor right away if you suspect an infection. Some next steps include:
- Taking out jewelry to allow drainage – Do not remove jewelry on your own
- Oral antibiotics if bacterial infection
- Antimicrobial ointment if the site isn’t draining
- Warm compresses on swollen areas
- Over-the-counter pain medication as needed
To help prevent infection from developing:
- Avoid submerging piercings in water like pools, hot tubs, baths
- Do not touch or rotate jewelry
- Never use alcohol or hydrogen peroxide, only sterile saline
- Rinse after applying makeup, hair products, and skin cleansers
- Avoid trauma that can introduce bacteria
Seeking prompt treatment for infections gives you the best chance for swift resolution and preventing complications like scarring.
Signs your ear piercing is healed
It can take anywhere from 1-3 months for an ear piercing to fully heal. Signs your ear piercing is healed include:
- No more pain, swelling, redness, or tenderness
- Crusties and discharge have stopped forming
- Jewelry can be gently moved with no discomfort
- No bleeding or irritation bumps
- Can be briefly submerged in water without issue
Lobe piercings generally take 6-8 weeks to heal. Cartilage piercings take longer around 3-9 months. Even once healed, some tips for continued care include:
- Clean piercings occasionally with saline, especially after workouts
- Rinse after hair and skin product use
- Avoid sleeping on new piercings
- Wear properly fitted, high quality jewelry
- Don’t submerge healing piercings in bodies of water
- Be gentle removing clothing over piercings
A fully healed piercing won’t necessarily stay healed forever. Trauma, abrasions, or skin infections can cause old piercings to become irritated or infected again over time. Practice good hygiene and aftercare even on old piercings.
Ear piercing do’s and don’ts
Here are some key do’s and don’ts to remember for ear piercings:
| Do | Don’t |
|---|---|
| – Clean 2x daily with saline spray | – Touch, rotate, or fiddle with jewelry |
| – Dry piercings after cleaning/showering | – Use harsh soaps, alcohol, hydrogen peroxide |
| – Leave jewelry in at all times | – Go swimming, share headphones, use public phones |
| – Sleep on opposite side of new piercings | – Play with jewelry with dirty hands |
| – See your piercer for a checkup after 3-4 weeks | – Remove crusties – let water and saline soften |
Following these guidelines and avoiding alcohol in the first 24-48 hours gives you the best chance of proper healing and minimizing your infection risk with new ear piercings.
Conclusion
It’s best to avoid alcohol completely for at least the first 24-48 hours after getting your ears pierced. However, light drinking in moderation is unlikely to cause major issues after the first few days as long as you care for the new piercings properly. Heavy drinking within the first week is not advised as it can significantly slow healing and increase your risk of complications. But after 2 weeks, you can likely resume normal alcohol intake. Just be observant of any signs of trouble with the piercing like pain, swelling, or discharge, especially if drinking alcohol. With proper aftercare and precautions, you can still enjoy an occasional drink while allowing new ear piercings to heal safely and effectively.