Piercing Aftercare: The Importance Of A Good Night's Rest

Sleeping on a new piercing is not recommended as it can cause irritation and even shift the direction or angle of the piercing. Piercings can take months to heal completely, and sleeping on them can cause issues such as crooked healing, irritation bumps, or snagging. It is best to avoid sleeping on a new piercing until it is completely healed, even if it does not hurt. To sleep comfortably with a new piercing, it is recommended to sleep on your back, use a piercing pillow, and keep your hair away from the piercing.

Characteristics of 'Don't Sleep on a Piercing'

Piercings may take longer to heal if you sleep on them

It is important to keep the stud in a new piercing to prevent the hole from closing up. This means keeping earrings in at all times, including when you sleep. However, this rule does not apply to older piercings. For new piercings, it is recommended that you sleep on your back to avoid applying pressure to the piercing.

If you have a new piercing, you should avoid sleeping on it during the healing process. This is because sleeping on a new piercing can cause issues such as irritation, pain, headaches, and infections. It can also cause the piercing to heal crookedly, or get snagged in the pillowcase. If you sleep on a new piercing, it may take longer to heal.

If you are a side sleeper, you can use a travel neck pillow, which can help to keep your ear in the open part of the pillow. You can also try using two pillows side by side, so that your ear sits in between them, keeping pressure off the piercing.

It is also important to keep your hair away from your piercing when you sleep. If you have long hair, try sleeping with it pulled back to avoid snags and tangles.

To avoid infection, you should use a hypoallergenic pillowcase or change your pillowcase regularly. You should also keep your piercing clean by washing it with a mild soap and warm water before bed.

Sleeping on a piercing can cause irritation and change the angle of the piercing

Sleeping on a new piercing is not recommended as it can cause irritation and change the angle of the piercing. Piercings are exciting, but it's easy to forget about the pain and discomfort they can cause when trying to get some sleep. The best thing to do is to avoid sleeping on the piercing, especially if it's a new one.

If you sleep directly on a new piercing, you risk irritating it and shifting its direction or angle. This is because, when sleeping, your jewellery will move around, pushing and pulling at the incision. This can cause the piercing holes to stretch and change shape, affecting how the jewellery sits. It can also cause scarring, making it difficult to remove and insert jewellery.

In addition, sleeping on a new piercing can introduce bacteria and cause infection. To avoid this, keep your bedding clean and change your pillowcase regularly, especially during the initial healing period. It's also a good idea to clean your piercing before bed to prevent infection and keep the jewellery moving freely.

To avoid sleeping on your piercing, try sleeping on your back. If that's not possible, use a travel pillow to protect your piercing. You can also try a U-shaped travel pillow, which can be angled around your neck. If you have long hair, keep it tied back and away from your piercing to prevent it from getting caught.

It's important to be patient and allow your piercing to heal fully before sleeping on it. Most piercings take six to nine months to heal, but some can take up to a year. Consult a professional piercer to confirm that your piercing is fully healed. Once healed, it's recommended to downsize to a shorter post to ensure comfort and prevent snagging.

How to sleep with a new piercing: tips and tricks

Getting a new piercing is exciting, but it can also be painful, especially when it comes to getting a good night's sleep. Here are some tips and tricks to help you sleep comfortably and safely with your new piercing:

Avoid sleeping on your piercing:

The best way to avoid pain and irritation is to avoid sleeping directly on your new piercing. This is especially important if you have a cartilage piercing. Sleeping on your piercing can cause irritation, and can even shift the direction or angle of the piercing, causing it to heal crookedly.

Sleep on your back:

If possible, try sleeping on your back. This will help you avoid putting pressure on your new piercing. If you're a side sleeper, you can use a piercing pillow to protect your piercing. Make sure to cover the pillow with a clean pillowcase or t-shirt, and change the covering frequently to prevent bacteria from entering the piercing site.

Keep your hair away from the piercing:

If you have long hair, make sure to pull it back and secure it before sleeping. This will help you avoid snagging or tangling your hair in the piercing, which can be painful and cause irritation.

Use a smooth pillowcase:

Once your piercing has healed enough that sleeping on it is no longer painful, switch to a smooth pillowcase. This will help reduce the potential for snagging your piercing while you sleep. Continue to change your pillowcase frequently to prevent skin cells, oils, and makeup from irritating your piercing.

Keep your piercing clean:

Clean your piercing regularly, especially before bed, to prevent infection. Cleaning your piercing will also provide lubrication, allowing the jewellery to move freely and preventing the skin from drying out and becoming painful. Remember to tighten your piercing before bed so it doesn't come out and start to heal over.

Be cautious when moving:

When brushing or styling your hair, move slowly and carefully to avoid catching your piercing. If you're going to the salon, let your stylist know that you have a healing piercing so they can be extra careful.

Use aftercare products:

Spray aftercare solutions or use aftercare creams to keep your piercing clean and help avoid infection. Numbing agents like Neosporin can also provide relief if your piercing becomes irritated or sore.

Change your bedding regularly:

Keep your bedding clean and fresh to prevent bacteria from irritating your piercing. The first few nights after getting a new piercing, there may be some discharge from the wound, so it's especially important to maintain clean bedding.

Choose the right jewellery:

Labrets are often less painful to sleep in than barbells or butterfly clips because they have flatbacks. Make sure your jewellery is the correct length so it doesn't get tangled or poked out, causing irritation.

Practice sleeping in a new position:

If you need to change your sleeping position to avoid your new piercing, practice sleeping in that position for a week or so before getting your piercing. This is especially important if you need to switch from stomach sleeping to sleeping on your back.

Use a travel pillow:

A U-shaped travel pillow can be angled around your neck to help you sleep comfortably without putting pressure on your new piercing.

Remember, everyone's healing process is different. Some piercings may take months to heal completely, so be patient and continue following these tips until your piercing is fully healed.

How to know when your piercing is healed and ready for sleep

It's important to know when your piercing is healed so you can resume your normal sleeping position without causing it to heal crooked or risking infection.

The first week or two after getting a piercing is the acceptance phase, where the body tries to reject the jewellery. During this period, there will be inflammation, discolouration, tenderness, throbbing pain, and heat in the area.

Once the acceptance phase has ended, the body will begin to repair the area and build new tissue. This is when the proliferation phase begins, which can take up to a year. During this time, it is normal for scabs to form, and for there to be lymph discharge, tenderness, and for the piercing to tighten.

The final stage is the toughening and seasoning phase, where the body produces additional skin cells to expand and strengthen the fistula. There should be no discomfort during this phase, and the piercing holes will appear more even and uniform.

You'll know your piercing is healed when:

• There is no more discharge
• The edges of the piercing holes are smooth and pull inward
• The jewellery is loose and moves somewhat freely
• There is no more lymph (crusties)
• There is no redness or swelling
• It doesn't hurt to touch

Even when you think your piercing has healed, it's best to treat it as "still healing" for a little while longer, just to be safe.

Once your piercing is healed, you can resume sleeping on your side, but it's still important to keep your hair pulled back to avoid snags and tangles, and to use a smooth pillowcase to reduce the risk of snagging your piercing.

How to care for your piercing while sleeping

Getting a piercing is exciting, but it can also be painful, especially when it's time to get some sleep. Here are some tips to help you care for your new piercing while sleeping and ensure a comfortable and pain-free night's rest:

Avoid Sleeping on Your Piercing:

The best way to care for your new piercing while sleeping is to avoid sleeping on it directly. Sleeping on a fresh piercing can cause irritation and may even affect the direction or angle of the piercing. If possible, try to sleep on your back. If you're a side sleeper, use a piercing pillow or a travel neck pillow to protect your piercing. You can also place a clean pillowcase or t-shirt over your piercing pillow to keep it hygienic.

Keep Your Hair Away from the Piercing:

If you have long hair, make sure to tie it back or braid it before sleeping. This will prevent your hair from snagging or tangling with the piercing, causing discomfort or even accidental pulls.

Use a Smooth Pillowcase:

Once your piercing has healed and you can sleep on it without pain, consider using a smooth pillowcase. This will reduce the potential for snagging or catching your piercing while you sleep. Change your pillowcase frequently, especially during the healing process, to prevent skin cells, oils, and makeup from irritating the piercing.

Move with Caution:

When getting ready for bed, be careful when brushing or styling your hair to avoid catching the piercing. If you're planning to visit a salon, inform your stylist about your healing piercing so they can be extra careful.

Keep the Piercing Clean:

Before going to bed, clean your piercing with a mild soap and warm water to prevent infection. You can also use an aftercare solution specifically designed for piercings. Cleaning your piercing regularly will help keep it lubricated, allowing the jewellery to move freely and preventing the skin from drying out.

Change Your Bedding Regularly:

Maintain clean and bacteria-free bedding while your piercing is healing. For the first few nights, there may be some discharge from the wound, so it's important to keep your sheets and pillowcases fresh.

Use a Comfortable Mattress:

If you need to sleep in a position that is not your usual, consider investing in a comfortable mattress or a padded mattress topper. This can be especially helpful if you plan to get more piercings in the future.

Remember, everyone's healing process is different. Some piercings may take weeks to heal, while others can take several months. Always consult a professional piercer if you have any questions or concerns about your specific piercing.

Frequently asked questions