Miya Pearson
Getting your ears pierced can be an exciting way to express yourself, but it also comes with some discomfort and extra care. One of the biggest challenges is figuring out how to sleep with a new piercing. The pressure and friction of sleeping can cause pain, irritation, and even infection in the newly pierced area. To ensure your piercing heals properly, it's important to keep the stud in for at least six weeks to prevent the hole from closing up. However, this doesn't mean you have to endure sleepless nights. There are strategies to help you sleep comfortably with a new ear piercing, and once your piercing has fully healed, you can consider sleeping without earrings.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ear piercing healing time | Standard earlobe piercings take 6 weeks to several months to fully heal. Helix or pinna piercings take around 3 to 4 months. |
| Sleeping with earrings | It is recommended to sleep with earrings in new piercings to prevent the hole from closing up. |
| Sleeping without earrings | Older piercings should have earrings removed before sleep to avoid harmful side effects such as skin irritation, pain, headaches, and infections. |
| Reducing risks | Use small, flat studs, sleep on your back, and use a travel pillow or a special ear piercing pillow to reduce pressure and friction. |
| Aftercare | Keep the piercing clean, follow aftercare instructions, and consult a healthcare professional if there are any concerns. |
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What You'll Learn
- It is recommended to sleep with your earrings in for the first few months to prevent the piercing hole from closing
- To avoid infection, use earrings made from surgical steel, sterling silver, titanium, or gold
- To avoid skin irritation, pain, and headaches, sleep on your back with a travel pillow and smooth pillowcase
- Avoid swimming in pools, hot tubs, or bodies of water during the initial healing period to prevent exposure to bacteria
- If you have older piercings, avoid wearing large hoops, dangle earrings, or earrings with nickel when sleeping
It is recommended to sleep with your earrings in for the first few months to prevent the piercing hole from closing
It is generally recommended to keep your earrings in for at least six weeks after getting a new piercing. This is to prevent the piercing hole from closing. However, some sources suggest keeping them in for a few months or even up to a year. The healing time varies depending on the type of piercing, your age, individual healing process, and aftercare. Standard earlobe piercings typically take about six to eight weeks to fully heal, while helix or pinna piercings can take around three to four months.
During the healing process, it is important to follow the aftercare instructions provided by your piercer and maintain proper hygiene to prevent infection. This includes keeping your piercing and hands clean and avoiding unnecessary touching, twisting, or turning of the jewellery. It is also recommended to sleep on your back with new piercings to prevent further irritation, pain, and pressure on the pierced area. Choosing small, flat studs made from hypoallergenic materials, such as surgical steel, sterling silver, titanium, or gold, can also help minimise discomfort and the risk of infection.
While it is important to keep your earrings in during the initial healing process, it is not advisable to sleep with earrings in the long term. Once your piercings are fully healed, it is generally recommended to take your earrings out every night before bed to reduce the risk of infection and other side effects, such as headaches, skin irritation, and tearing of the skin or earlobe. Older piercings should also be removed before sleep, especially if they are made with nickel, large hoops, or dangle-style earrings, as these can increase the risk of painful side effects.
To enhance comfort and promote faster healing, some people invest in specialised ear pillows, which are designed to minimise pressure, friction, and contact with the newly pierced area. These pillows can be especially beneficial for those with sensitive piercings, such as daith and industrial piercings. Additionally, following your piercer's aftercare instructions and seeking medical attention if needed will support the healing process.
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To avoid infection, use earrings made from surgical steel, sterling silver, titanium, or gold
When it comes to ear piercings, it is important to keep the studs in for the first six weeks or so to prevent the hole from closing up. This means that you should also keep them in when sleeping. However, this does not mean that you should continue to sleep with earrings in once the piercing has healed. In fact, doing so can be harmful and may even require a trip to the doctor.
Surgical steel is strong, easy to clean, and corrosion-resistant, but it is not used for medical implants as it can cause complications when left in the body for long periods. Titanium is the most biocompatible element, with less than 0.6% of people allergic to it, and it will not irritate even the most sensitive skin. It is inert and non-reactive to almost all chemicals, so it will not corrode, tarnish, or rust.
Gold is a good option for those with warm skin tones, while silver is better for those with cool skin tones. However, gold-plated, gold-filled, or gold overlay/vermeil jewelry is not recommended for sensitive ear piercings. The gold surface is very thin and can wear off, exposing the reactive metal underneath. Instead, opt for gold that is at least 18-karat to minimize the risk of infection.
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To avoid skin irritation, pain, and headaches, sleep on your back with a travel pillow and smooth pillowcase
Ear piercings are a fun way to express yourself, but they can also be a source of discomfort, especially when sleeping. The healing time for a new piercing can range from a few weeks to several months, depending on the location of the piercing. During this time, it's important to take extra care to avoid skin irritation, pain, and headaches.
One way to minimise these issues is to sleep on your back. This keeps pressure off the piercing, reducing irritation and pain. Using a travel pillow, specifically a U-shaped neck pillow, can also help to stabilise your head and neck while creating a hollow space for your ear, preventing direct pressure on the piercing. This is especially useful if you tend to sleep on your side.
The type of earrings you wear to bed can also make a difference. Small studs, sometimes called "nap earrings," are less likely to cause discomfort and get caught in your hair or pillow than larger earrings. Additionally, if you have long hair, consider tying it back to prevent it from tangling with your earrings and causing tears or further irritation.
Choosing the right pillowcase can also help reduce irritation and snagging. Look for smooth, hypoallergenic materials like sateen cotton or silk, which can provide a softer surface for your ears and reduce the risk of catching or pulling on your piercings. Keeping your bedding and earrings clean is another way to promote healing and avoid infection.
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Avoid swimming in pools, hot tubs, or bodies of water during the initial healing period to prevent exposure to bacteria
Swimming with a new ear piercing is not recommended, as it can introduce bacteria to the piercing and increase the risk of infection. Public pools, hot tubs, natural bodies of water, and even baths are teeming with bacteria, which can irritate the piercing and lead to infection.
Chlorine, commonly found in pools, can dry out the piercing and irritate the surrounding tissue. If you choose to swim in a chlorinated pool, be sure to rinse your piercing with clean water afterward. Natural bodies of water, such as lakes, rivers, and the ocean, can also introduce bacteria and increase the risk of infection, especially after heavy rainfall or in stagnant areas.
It is generally recommended to wait until your ear piercing is fully healed before swimming. The healing time varies depending on the location of the piercing. Earlobe piercings typically take 6-8 weeks to heal, while cartilage piercings can take 4-6 months or even up to a year. During the initial healing period, it is best to avoid swimming to prevent exposure to bacteria and the risk of infection.
If you choose to swim before your piercing is fully healed, there are some steps you can take to reduce the risk of infection. One method is to apply a thin layer of Vaseline to the piercing before swimming, but be sure to thoroughly clean it off afterward. Additionally, try to keep your head above water to minimize direct contact with the piercing. However, even if you don't submerge your piercing, water from the pool or other bodies of water can still drip or splash onto it, increasing the risk of infection.
It is important to prioritize the healing of your piercing to avoid complications. Patience is key, and rushing the healing process by exposing your piercing to bacteria-laden water can lead to irritation, infection, scarring, or even rejection of the jewelry. Always consult your piercer for specific advice based on your piercing location, healing progress, and individual factors.
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If you have older piercings, avoid wearing large hoops, dangle earrings, or earrings with nickel when sleeping
It is recommended that you avoid wearing large hoops, dangle earrings, or earrings with nickel when sleeping, even if your piercings are older. This is because these types of earrings can increase your risk of experiencing painful side effects and other issues.
Large hoops and dangle earrings can get caught on your bedding or hair as you sleep, potentially tearing your earlobe. They can also press against the side of your head and cause discomfort, especially if you sleep on your side. This can lead to frequent headaches, which may improve if you stop wearing earrings to bed.
Earrings with nickel can also cause problems if worn overnight. Nickel is a common allergen, with nearly 30% of people who wear earrings having a sensitivity to it. Repeated wear of nickel-based jewellery, especially overnight, can lead to red, itchy rashes and an increased risk of developing eczema around the ears.
In general, it is best to avoid sleeping in earrings unless they are the studs from a new piercing. New piercings need to be kept in for at least six weeks or until your piercer advises you otherwise, to prevent the hole from closing up. However, even with new piercings, you should choose small, flat studs to minimise the risk of hair, clothing, or bedding getting caught and causing issues.
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Frequently asked questions
You should keep your earrings in for at least 6 weeks, but some sources suggest keeping them in for up to 3 months or even 6 months. The healing time depends on the type of piercing, your age, and your individual healing process.
Sleeping with new piercings can cause skin irritation, pain, headaches, and infections. There is also a risk of tearing the skin around the piercing if it gets caught on your hair, sheets, or pillowcase.
To sleep comfortably with new piercings, try to sleep on your back, use small studs, and choose smooth pillowcases. You can also use a travel pillow or invest in a special ear piercing pillow to minimise pressure and friction on your ears.
You should avoid sleeping in large hoops, dangle or drop-style earrings, and earrings made with nickel, especially if you have a known metal allergy.
