Evie Summers
Cartilage piercings can take anywhere from six months to a year to fully heal. It is not recommended to sleep on a new cartilage piercing as it can cause irritation bumps, change the angle of the piercing, or slow down the healing process. To avoid sleeping on a new cartilage piercing, you can try using a travel pillow, a U-shaped pillow, or a donut pillow, which will allow you to sleep on your side without putting pressure on your piercing. If you are concerned about your piercing closing up or getting infected, it is best to consult a doctor or a professional piercer for advice.
Characteristics and Values table for 'Can I take my cartilage piercing out to sleep?'
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Healing time | 6 to 9 months |
| Sleeping with a new piercing | Not recommended |
| Piercing aftercare | Avoid hair products, band-aids, swimming in unhygienic water, harsh soaps, and ointments |
| Sleeping with healed piercings | May be uncomfortable or irritating, especially with certain jewelry types |
| Jewelry options | Smaller bars or travel pillows may reduce discomfort |
| Individual experiences | Varying healing times and comfort levels reported |
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What You'll Learn
- Cartilage piercings can take 6-9 months to heal, but it depends on your body
- It's not advisable to sleep on piercings as it can irritate the wound and cause bumps
- You can use a travel pillow to avoid putting pressure on your piercing
- If your piercing is infected, don't remove it without consulting a doctor or piercer
- You can try different jewellery options to find something more comfortable for sleep
Cartilage piercings can take 6-9 months to heal, but it depends on your body
Cartilage piercings take longer to heal than piercings on the fleshy parts of your body, such as your earlobes. You can expect your cartilage piercing to take anywhere from six to nine months to heal completely, but this will depend on your body's natural healing process. If you tend to heal slowly, treat your cartilage piercing as if it isn't fully healed for at least six months. It's important to remember that these piercings heal from the outside in, so they may appear healed before they actually are.
During the healing process, it's best to avoid sleeping on your cartilage piercing. Pressure on the piercing can be irritating and may cause piercing bumps or even change the angle of the piercing. To avoid this, try using a U-shaped travel pillow, which allows your ears to stick out and reduces the risk of putting pressure on the piercing. Alternatively, you can sleep on your back or your other side to avoid putting pressure on the piercing.
If you're concerned about your cartilage piercing closing up while you sleep, there are a few things to keep in mind. While some people find that their piercings can stay out indefinitely without closing up, others may find that their piercings start to close up very quickly. It's important to consult a professional piercer if you have any questions or concerns about your specific situation.
In terms of jewellery, it's recommended that you keep the original jewellery in your piercing until the healing process is complete. If you notice that the jewellery is too tight or putting pressure on the piercing, you should consider getting it changed to a barbell or a smaller bar. This will reduce the risk of irritation and ensure that your piercing stays comfortable.
Overall, it's important to be patient and allow your cartilage piercing to heal fully before attempting to sleep on it. By following the aftercare instructions and consulting with a professional piercer, you can ensure that your piercing heals properly and reduce the risk of any complications.
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It's not advisable to sleep on piercings as it can irritate the wound and cause bumps
It is not advisable to sleep on piercings as they can cause irritation and bumps. Cartilage piercings take longer to heal than piercings on the fleshy parts of the body, such as the earlobes, and can take anywhere from six to nine months or even a year to heal completely. During this time, it is best to avoid sleeping on the piercing as it can cause piercing bumps or change the angle of the piercing. If you sleep on a new piercing, it may never heal properly.
To avoid sleeping on your piercing, you can try using a travel pillow, which will allow your ears to stick out and avoid any pressure on the piercing. You can also try sleeping on your back by propping a bunch of pillows behind your back so that you don't roll over. Another option is to use large hair clips on the side of the piercing to prevent rolling over onto that side.
If you do choose to sleep on your piercing, be aware that it may cause irritation and bumps. In some cases, the piercing may shift angles and never heal properly. It is also important to note that if you have an infection, removing the piercing can trap the infection within the skin, so it is best to leave the earring in and consult a doctor or professional piercer.
Some people find that their piercings can stay out indefinitely without closing up, but this may vary from person to person. It is important to be careful with hair products and avoid getting them on the wound, as well as to avoid covering the piercing with band-aids, as this can cause irritation or migration.
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You can use a travel pillow to avoid putting pressure on your piercing
Cartilage piercings can be a painful and lengthy process. They take longer to heal than piercings on fleshy parts of the body, and can remain sensitive for months after the initial procedure. It is therefore important to take the necessary steps to ensure that your piercing heals correctly and does not get infected.
One way to do this is to use a travel pillow. Travel pillows are specifically designed to prevent pressure on your ears and piercings, which can cause discomfort and irritation. They are also made to provide support and comfort to your neck and head while you sleep. This is especially important if you have recently gotten a cartilage piercing, as you will need to sleep on your non-pierced side until the wound has healed.
The Original Travel P.W.A.H.® is a popular choice for those with ear piercings. It is a full-sized pillow that comes with a stylish travel bag. It is portable, durable, and easy to fit into carry-on luggage. The pillow is adjustable, allowing you to choose the perfect height and firmness for your needs.
Another option is the Doughnut PWAH®, which is compact, portable, and effective. It is ideal for piercings as it reduces pressure on the ears. This type of pillow is also commonly used by women who have recently given birth and need to relieve pain in their sitting area.
Using a travel pillow can help you get a good night's sleep while also protecting your new piercing. It is a worthwhile investment to ensure the health and proper healing of your cartilage piercing.
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If your piercing is infected, don't remove it without consulting a doctor or piercer
Cartilage piercings can take a long time to heal—up to six weeks, or even six to nine months in some cases. During this time, it is important to leave your earrings in day and night. If your piercing becomes infected, do not remove it without consulting a doctor or piercer first.
Infected cartilage piercings can present with severe swelling, extreme redness, and the discharge of pus. If you suspect your piercing is infected, contact your piercer and physician as soon as possible. Leaving an infected piercing untreated can result in a more severe infection or an abscess. In most cases, it is necessary to treat the infection with an antibiotic cream.
It is important to note that cartilage bumps are relatively common and are not the same as an infected piercing. Bumps can form soon after the initial piercing or long after it has healed. If you are unsure whether you have an infection or a bump, see your piercer or a doctor right away.
If you are concerned about your piercing getting infected, there are several things you can do to reduce the risk. Firstly, always wash your hands before touching your piercing. Avoid submerging your piercing in unhygienic bodies of water such as lakes, pools, or hot tubs, especially during the first two months. Be careful when using hair products, as they should not enter the wound. Do not cover the piercing with a band-aid, as this can cause irritation and migration. Finally, when cleaning your piercing, avoid using harsh soaps such as betadine, alcohol, or hydrogen peroxide, as these can damage cells.
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You can try different jewellery options to find something more comfortable for sleep
Cartilage piercings can take a long time to heal, anywhere from a few months to a year. Even after they are fully healed, some people find that sleeping on them is still uncomfortable. If you are concerned about sleeping with your new cartilage piercing, you may want to try a few different jewellery options to find something more comfortable for sleep.
If you got pierced with a ring, consider switching to a bar. A ring might put too much pressure on the wound, and you may feel this pressure if the ring is too tight. A bar, such as a 1/4 labret bar with a ball end, is a good alternative as it sits flush against your ear and leaves no room for it to be bent during sleep.
If you are worried about your piercing closing up, you can try leaving your jewellery in overnight. However, if you are still wearing the original jewellery, it may be too long and could get irritated or bent during sleep. In this case, it may be better to take it out and switch to a smaller piece of jewellery.
If you are concerned about sleeping on your new piercing, you can try using a travel pillow. A U-shaped travel pillow will allow your ears to stick out and, with your neck in the middle of the "U", there will be no pressure on the piercing. Alternatively, you can try sleeping on your back or training yourself to sleep only on the side without the piercing.
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Frequently asked questions
It is not recommended to sleep with your cartilage piercing out, especially if it is new. Cartilage piercings can take anywhere from six to nine months to heal completely, and sleeping on them can irritate the wound, cause piercing bumps, or change the angle of the piercing.
You can try to train yourself to sleep on your back or on the side that doesn't have the piercing. Alternatively, you can use a travel pillow, a "U"-shaped pillow, or a donut pillow to avoid putting pressure on your piercing while you sleep.
If your cartilage piercing is infected, it is advisable not to remove the earring unless advised by a doctor or professional piercer. In most cases, you will need to treat the infection with an antibiotic cream and get the jewellery enlarged.
In the first two months, avoid submerging the piercing in unhygienic bodies of water such as lakes, pools, and hot tubs. Avoid cleaning with harsh soaps or ointments as these can damage cells or prevent necessary air circulation.
