Miya Pearson
Sleeping on a cartilage piercing can cause irritation, change the angle of the piercing, or lead to infection. It can also cause the piercing to grow crooked, even if it doesn't hurt. To avoid this, it is recommended to sleep on your back or use a piercing pillow, which has divots or holes to alleviate pressure and pain. It is also important to keep the piercing clean and avoid hair products and ointments that can irritate the wound. While piercings typically take six to nine months to heal, it's important to consult a professional piercer to confirm that your piercing is fully healed before sleeping on it.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Healing time | 6 to 9 months, some may take up to a year |
| Complications | Infection, crooked piercing, irritation, change in angle of piercing, cartilage bumps |
| Prevention | Piercing pillows, hair clips, clean pillowcases, loose clothing, mild soap and warm water |
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Infection risk
Cartilage piercings are more susceptible to complications from sleeping on them than earlobe piercings. They have a longer healing time, which means there is a greater risk of infection. It is therefore important not to sleep on fresh cartilage piercings.
If you sleep on a fresh cartilage piercing, you risk irritating the piercing and changing the direction or angle of the piercing. This can cause what is known as an irritation bump. You can also get an infection through your pillowcase, and the piercing can grow crooked. Even if it doesn't hurt when you sleep on it, it's best to avoid doing so.
Infection symptoms include severe swelling, extreme redness, and the discharge of pus. If this occurs, you should contact your piercer and physician. In most cases, it is necessary to treat the infection with an antibiotic cream. You will also have to get the jewellery enlarged. Removing the piercing can allow the wound to close, trapping the infection within the skin. For this reason, it is not advisable to remove an earring from an infected ear unless instructed to do so by a doctor or professional piercer.
To avoid infection, it is recommended to sleep on your back, use a piercing pillow, or sleep with your hair pulled back to prevent the piercing from getting caught. You should also change your pillowcase frequently while the piercing is healing to prevent skin cells, oils, and makeup from irritating the piercing.
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Crooked piercing
A crooked piercing can be caused by a variety of factors, one of the most common being sleeping on it before it has fully healed. The pressure exerted on the piercing by your head and the pillow can cause the jewellery to tilt and become crooked. This risk is especially high if you still have the long bar with which you were pierced, as it provides leverage for the piercing to grow crookedly.
To prevent this, it is recommended to sleep on your back or on the opposite side of the piercing. You can also use a travel neck pillow, which has a hole that allows you to sleep on your side without putting pressure on your ear. Another option is to clip your hair up or braid it to keep it away from your ears and prevent snagging. Additionally, make sure to use a clean pillowcase and change it frequently to prevent bacteria and other irritants from affecting your piercing.
It is important to note that a new piercing may appear crooked due to swelling, which is a common issue during the healing process. This swelling usually subsides within one to two weeks, and the piercing should return to its original position. However, it is crucial not to touch, poke, or prod the piercing, as this can lead to complications.
If your piercing has completely healed and is still crooked, there may not be a way to fix it. A piercing that has healed crooked may need to be removed. It is always best to consult a professional piercer for advice and to assess whether the piercing is truly crooked.
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Piercing aftercare
Cartilage piercings take longer to heal than soft-tissue piercings, typically between 4 and 12 months. During this time, it's important to take extra care to prevent infection and avoid complications. Here are some aftercare tips to ensure your cartilage piercing heals properly:
Choose a Reputable Piercer
Cartilage piercings carry a higher risk of complications and infection if performed by untrained individuals using unclean tools. Always select a trained professional piercer with a state license or certification. They should provide a clean environment, use sterile tools, and wear new disposable gloves for each procedure.
Keep the Piercing Clean
Cartilage piercings require diligent cleaning to prevent infection. Wash your hands before touching the piercing to avoid transferring bacteria. Use a saline solution to clean the area and remove any crust that forms. Avoid antibacterial ointments, as these can prevent the piercing from getting enough air to heal properly. Instead, use a non-alcoholic disinfectant solution, such as octenisept, to promote healing. Apply anti-inflammatory cream around the piercing to reduce swelling and pain.
Avoid Irritation
Cartilage piercings are sensitive and can easily be irritated. Avoid contact with open water, including lakes, rivers, pools, and hot tubs. Opt for showers instead of baths, as bathtubs can harbour bacteria. Stay away from makeup, lotions, sprays, and powders near the piercing, as these can cause irritation. Keep your phone, headphones, hats, and any other items that touch the piercing clean. When brushing or styling your hair, move slowly to prevent snagging the piercing.
Sleep Care
Sleeping directly on a cartilage piercing can cause irritation, shift its direction, or lead to crooked healing. Try to sleep on your back to avoid putting pressure on the piercing. If you're a side sleeper, use a piercing pillow or a donut pillow to protect the piercing. You can also clip your hair up or use a hair tie to prevent your piercing from getting caught in your hair while you sleep.
Change Your Pillowcase Frequently
Use a smooth pillowcase to reduce the risk of snagging your piercing. Change your pillowcase often to prevent the buildup of skin cells, oils, and makeup residue, which can irritate the piercing. Sleeping on each side of the pillow just once between changes can help prevent bacteria from entering the piercing site.
Remember, everyone's healing process is unique, so adjust your aftercare routine as needed. If you experience persistent pain, redness, or discharge, consult a healthcare professional for advice.
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Hair management
- If you have long hair, it is advisable to tie it back or put it in a bun or braid to prevent it from getting tangled with the piercing. This will help avoid any unnecessary pulling or tugging on the piercing, which could cause irritation or discomfort.
- Be cautious when using hair products, as they should not come into contact with the piercing wound. Avoid applying hair products too close to the piercing site to prevent any potential irritation.
- Consider using a hair clip or hair tie on the side of the piercing. This serves as a physical reminder to avoid sleeping on that side and helps train your body to adjust its sleeping position.
- If you have soft hair, a hair clip might not stay in place. In this case, you can combine the use of a hair clip with a ponytail or bun to increase its effectiveness.
- When brushing or styling your hair, do so slowly and carefully to prevent accidentally catching the piercing.
- Avoid hairstyles that put pressure on the piercing, especially during the initial healing stages. Styles that pull on the piercing can cause irritation and even affect the healing process.
By following these hair management tips, you can help ensure that your cartilage piercing remains clean and undisturbed while you sleep, promoting a comfortable and healthy healing process.
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Pillow types
Sleeping on a cartilage piercing can cause irritation and even change the angle of the piercing. This can be avoided by sleeping on your back, but if that's not possible, a piercing pillow can help.
Piercing pillows are designed with an ear-sized space or divot to alleviate discomfort and speed up healing. They are especially useful for side sleepers, as they prevent pressure, friction, and fabric from irritating the piercing. Some people also find it helpful to use a clean pillowcase or t-shirt over the piercing pillow to keep it hygienic.
There are various types of piercing pillows available, including standard and travel-sized options. The Donut Pillow or Pillow With a Hole is a popular choice, with its distinctive donut shape providing a hole for the ear to rest in, thus reducing pressure on the piercing. This type of pillow can be purchased online or from piercing studios, with prices ranging from less than $20 to $50.
Another option is to look for pillows with ear nooks or indentations, which can also help to cradle and support the ear. The Coyuchi pillow, for example, has two indentations and is marketed for spine alignment, but it can also be used to comfort pierced ears. Some piercing pillows are also designed for travel, making it easier to maintain a comfortable sleeping position while on the move.
In addition to using a piercing pillow, there are other tips to help manage a cartilage piercing while sleeping. One suggestion is to sleep with long hair pulled back or braided to prevent snagging and tangling. Another idea is to clip hair on the side of the piercing or create a ponytail or bun to avoid putting pressure on the piercing when rolling onto that side during sleep.
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Frequently asked questions
Sleeping on a cartilage piercing can cause irritation, change the angle of the piercing, or lead to infection. It can also cause the piercing to grow crooked, which is often a painless process, so it's best to avoid sleeping on your side with a fresh cartilage piercing.
Try sleeping on your back. If you must sleep on your side, use a piercing pillow or a regular pillow with a divot or hole to reduce pressure on the piercing. You can also try clipping your hair up and sleeping on the opposite side of your piercing.
It usually takes 6 to 9 months for a cartilage piercing to fully heal, but this can vary depending on your body's natural healing process. It's important to consult a professional piercer to confirm that your piercing is fully healed before attempting to sleep on it.
Keep your piercing clean with a mild soap and warm water before bed. Avoid harsh cleaning products like Betadine, alcohol, and hydrogen peroxide, as these can damage cells. Don't use ointments as they prevent air circulation. Be careful with hair products, and avoid getting them on the piercing.
Contact your piercer and physician immediately. In most cases, you will need to treat the infection with an antibiotic cream and get the jewellery enlarged to reduce pressure and allow the wound to heal. Do not remove the jewellery unless advised by a doctor or professional piercer, as this can trap the infection within the skin.
