Avoid Sleeping On New Ear Piercings: Here's Why

what happens if you sleep on a new ear piercing

Getting a new ear piercing can be an exciting way to express yourself, but it also comes with some discomfort and extra care. One of the biggest challenges after getting a new piercing is figuring out how to sleep with it. The pressure and friction of sleeping on a new piercing can cause pain, irritation, and even infection in the newly pierced area. To avoid this, it is recommended to sleep on your back, use a travel pillow, and opt for small, flat studs instead of large earrings. Keeping the piercing clean and following your piercer's aftercare advice will also help to support the healing process, which can take several weeks or even months.

Characteristics Values
Sleeping position Sleeping on the back is recommended to keep pressure off the piercing and to minimize irritation, pain, and damage.
Pillow type A travel pillow with a "U" shape can help relieve pressure on the piercing and provide stability while sleeping.
Earring type Small studs or flat studs are recommended over large earrings, hoops, or dangle styles, as they are less likely to get caught in hair or bedding and cause tearing or infection.
Earring material Hypoallergenic materials such as surgical steel, sterling silver, or 18-karat gold are recommended to avoid nickel allergies and infections.
Hair management Pulling long hair back or braiding it can help prevent tangles and snags, reducing the risk of damage or irritation to the piercing.
Cleaning Regular cleaning with a sterile saline solution is important to prevent infection. Cleaning 2-3 times a day for the first few weeks and then once a day until healing is recommended.
Healing time The healing time for a new piercing can vary from a few weeks to a few months, depending on the type of piercing. Cartilage piercings, such as helix or pinna piercings, may take longer to heal (around 3-4 months).

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You should sleep on your back to avoid irritating the piercing

If you've recently gotten an ear piercing, you may be wondering how to sleep without irritating the new piercing. One of the most important things to do is to sleep on your back. This will keep pressure off your new piercing and minimise further irritation and pain. While it may be challenging to train yourself to sleep on your back, it is important to do so to help the piercing heal properly.

Sleeping on the same side as your new piercing can put pressure on the piercing and cause discomfort or pain. If you find it difficult to stay on your back, try propping pillows around you to keep you in place. You can also try using a travel pillow—these U-shaped pillows can be worn around the neck to provide head and neck stability while sleeping. After an ear piercing, using this type of pillow while side sleeping can create a hollow opening in which to place your ear piercing, preventing direct pressure on the piercing and helping you sleep better.

If you have long hair, make sure you sleep with it pulled back and away from your ear to avoid unpleasant snags and tangles. Braids work well for this. It's also important to keep your piercing clean. You can purchase a saline solution specifically made for piercings at most drugstores, or you can make your own at home by mixing 1/4 teaspoon of non-iodized sea salt with 8 ounces of warm distilled water. Clean your piercing 2–3 times a day for the first few weeks, and then once a day until it is fully healed.

While your piercing is healing, it's important to keep the stud in so that the new hole doesn't close up. Ask your piercer to use flat studs, as opposed to those with jewels and other jagged edges, as hair, clothing, and bedding could get caught on earrings with jagged edges and cause issues. New piercings can be made with professional-grade materials that are hypoallergenic, so you can safely leave them in for several weeks as the piercing heals.

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Use a travel pillow to avoid direct pressure on the piercing

A new ear piercing can be uncomfortable to sleep on. The pressure and friction of sleeping can cause pain, irritation, and even infection in the newly pierced area. To avoid this, you can use a travel pillow to prevent direct pressure on the piercing.

Travel pillows are U-shaped pillows that are usually worn around the neck to provide head and neck stability when sleeping upright. When used with a new ear piercing, the U-shape creates a hollow opening that prevents direct pressure on the piercing, allowing it to heal better. The design of the pillow allows your ears to stick out a little more than they would with a regular pillow, relieving some of the pressure on the piercing.

To use a travel pillow effectively with a new ear piercing, try sleeping with your neck in the middle of the "U." This will ensure that your piercing has enough space and will help you sleep comfortably throughout the night.

Using a travel pillow can be a helpful strategy for getting a good night's sleep while your new ear piercing heals. It is important to keep the piercing clean and follow your piercer's aftercare instructions to support the healing process.

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Choose small, flat studs to reduce the risk of earrings getting caught

When you get a new ear piercing, it's important to keep the stud in so that the new hole doesn't close up. You'll need to keep these small studs in for six weeks or longer, or until your piercer advises that you can take them out. While your piercing is healing, it's best to sleep on your back to avoid putting pressure on the piercing, which can cause discomfort and pain.

Choosing small, flat studs can reduce the risk of earrings getting caught in your hair or bedding, which could tear your earlobe. Large earrings, as well as styles with openings like hoops and dangles, can further increase this risk. If you have long hair, make sure you sleep with it pulled back and away from your ears.

To help you sleep comfortably on your back, try using a travel pillow. These U-shaped pillows can be worn around the neck to provide head and neck stability while sleeping. They can also be used to create a hollow opening for your ear piercing, preventing direct pressure on the piercing.

It's also important to keep your piercing clean to avoid infection. Clean your piercing 2-3 times a day for the first few weeks, and then once a day until it's fully healed. You can use a sterile saline solution or make your own by mixing 1/4 teaspoon of non-iodized sea salt with 8 ounces of warm distilled water. Soak a clean cotton ball or piece of gauze in the solution and gently clean around the piercing, avoiding twisting or turning the jewelry.

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Clean your piercing 2-3 times a day for the first few weeks

It is important to clean your piercing 2-3 times a day for the first few weeks and then once a day until it is fully healed. This helps prevent infection and ensures that your piercing heals properly.

To clean your piercing, use a sterile saline solution, which can be purchased at most drugstores, or made at home by mixing 1/4 teaspoon of non-iodized sea salt with 8 ounces of warm distilled water. Soak a clean cotton ball or piece of gauze in the saline solution and gently clean around the piercing. Avoid twisting or turning the jewellery as this can irritate the piercing and slow down the healing process.

If you notice any signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, discharge, or excessive pain, it is important to seek medical attention. Keeping your piercing clean will help prevent this, so be sure to be thorough and consistent with your cleaning routine.

In addition to cleaning your piercing, there are other things to keep in mind when sleeping with a new ear piercing. For example, it is recommended to sleep on your back to avoid putting pressure on your new piercing and to minimise irritation and pain. Using a travel pillow can also help relieve pressure on your piercing and allow you to sleep comfortably.

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Avoid sleeping on new piercings in the ear cartilage

Ear piercings can be an exciting way to express yourself, but they also come with some discomfort and extra care, especially when it comes to sleep. Here are some detailed tips to avoid sleeping on new piercings in the ear cartilage:

Avoid sleeping on your side: Sleeping on your side can increase the risk of painful side effects. Your earrings can get caught in your bedding or hair, potentially tearing your earlobe or the skin around your new piercing. To avoid this, try sleeping on your back instead. While this may be challenging to adjust to, it will help relieve pressure on the piercing and minimise irritation, pain, and the risk of infection.

Choose the right earrings: When you initially pierce your ears, opt for small studs or "nap earrings" instead of larger earrings. Smaller studs will cause less pain and discomfort if you lie on them and are less likely to get caught in your hair or bedding. Avoid wearing earrings with nickel, especially if you have a known allergy, as this can increase your risk of an allergic reaction and cause itchy rashes and eczema. Choose earrings made from surgical steel, sterling silver, or at least 18-karot gold instead.

Use a travel pillow: A U-shaped travel pillow can be a great solution for sleeping with a new ear piercing. It allows your ears to stick out more than a regular pillow, relieving pressure on the piercing. Place your neck in the middle of the "U" to sleep comfortably.

Keep your piercing clean: It is important to maintain the cleanliness of your new piercing to support the healing process. Clean your piercing 2-3 times a day for the first few weeks and then once a day until it is fully healed. Use a sterile saline solution, or make your own by mixing 1/4 teaspoon of non-iodized sea salt with 8 ounces of warm distilled water. Soak a clean cotton ball or gauze in the solution and gently clean around the piercing, avoiding twisting or turning the jewellery.

Follow professional advice: The healing time for ear cartilage piercings can vary, so it is important to confirm with your piercer how long it may take for your specific piercing to heal. They will also be able to provide you with cleaning instructions and advice on the best earrings to wear during the healing process.

Frequently asked questions

No, it is not recommended to sleep on a new ear piercing as it can cause pain, irritation, and even infection. It is best to sleep on your back to avoid putting pressure on the piercing.

Sleeping on a new ear piercing can lead to skin irritation, pain, headaches, and infections. There is also a risk of tearing the skin around the piercing if your hair or bedding gets caught in it.

To sleep comfortably with a new ear piercing, it is recommended to sleep on your back, use small studs, and sleep with a travel pillow. Keeping your hair tied back and using smooth pillowcases can also help.

It is recommended to wait until your piercing is fully healed before sleeping on it. The healing time can vary depending on the type of piercing, but it usually takes a few weeks to a few months.

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