Healing Times
Average Piercing Healing Times
Healing times vary from person to person and may heal quicker or take longer depending on your body and aftercare. Continue recommended aftercare for at least the healing time advised for your piercing.
Once healed, twice-daily cleaning is no longer necessary, although once-daily cleaning is still recommended. Jewellery can then be changed safely, but new jewellery should always be inserted straight away to prevent the piercing from shrinking or closing.
If you want to keep your piercing, keep jewellery in at all times.
Body piercings: Belly - 4/6 months to 1 year Nipples (male & female) - 4/6 months to a year Sternum - 6/12 weeks
Oral piercings: Tongue- 3/6 weeks Web- 4/12 weeks Smiley- 4/12 weeks Frowny- 4/12 weeks
Facial Piercings: Nose (Standard) - 4/6 months Nose (Septum) - 6/8 weeks Nose (Bridge)- 2/3 months
Ear Piercings: Eyebrow - 6/8 weeks Ear lobe - 6/8 weeks Surface Tragus - 3/6 months Cartilage- 4months to 1 year Tragus - 2/3 months Daith- 6/9 months Rook- 3/4 months to a year Industrial- 5/6 months to a year Helix- 5/6 months to a year Forward helix - 4/6 months Flat - 4/5 months Conch- 6/9 months to a year Snug - 4/6 months
Lip Piercings: Lip- 6/8 weeks Dahlia Bites- 4/6 months Snake Bite (Lip) - 4/6 months
Genital Piercing: Female Genitals (Christina) - 3/4 months
Basic Piercing Care
Please remember everyone heals differently depending on their body, lifestyle, health, climate, and aftercare routine
All aftercare advice is based on professional experience and general healing guidelines.
Basic Care
New piercings should usually be cleaned twice daily throughout the healing process. Healing and cleaning frequency can vary depending on your skin type, lifestyle, environment, and piercing type.
Do not over-clean your piercing, as this can cause irritation and slow healing.
Healing piercings naturally release fluids and dead skin cells, so cleaning helps remove build-up and bacteria. Aftercare products do not heal the piercing — your body does. Keeping up with aftercare and protecting the piercing when needed will support healthy healing
Sterile Saline Sprays
Sterile saline sprays are a quick and convenient way to clean your piercing, especially when soaking isn’t possible.
Spray the solution directly onto the piercing to fully clean the area. Jewellery does not need to be rotated and the saline does not need to be rinsed off. Avoid using cotton buds or pads, as they do not clean the piercing effectively
Do Not Use
• Rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide — these are too harsh and can slow healing. • Antibiotic ointments (Neosporin, Bacitracin, etc.) — these trap bacteria and are not suitable for piercings. • Bactine or piercing solutions containing BZK — these may irritate the piercing and delay healing. • Q-tips or cotton balls — fibres can get trapped and irritate the piercing.
Stick to sterile saline sprays and gentle aftercare only.
Ear & Body Piercings
Do: • Clean twice daily with sterile saline spray (NeilMed) • Use a travel pillow for ear piercings when sleeping • Use breathable plasters for body piercings if needed • Keep clean and dry throughout healing
Avoid: • Touching/twisting jewellery • Harsh products (alcohol, peroxide, ointments) • Swimming during early healing • Tight clothing or irritation • Removing jewellery while healing
Dermal & Surface Piercings
Surface piercings and dermal anchors require extra time and care, even after initial healing. Healing can take around 2–6 months for anchors, and up to a year or longer for surface barbells. They can be easily irritated by sleeping pressure, hair, clothing, or movement, so consistent aftercare is essential.
Fresh surface anchors (and some surface piercings) may be covered with a Tegaderm dressing — a clear, breathable, waterproof bandage — which should be left on for up to a week or until it naturally falls off. No cleaning is needed during this time.
Once exposed, spray the piercing 2–3 times a day as part of your aftercare routine.
Genital Piercings
Genital Piercing Aftercare
Aftercare is similar to other piercings and usually heals quickly. Follow basic piercing care throughout healing.
• Emu oil can be used around the area to support healing and reduce crusting. • Use sterile saline or sea salt rinses — avoid soap. • Bruising and light bleeding/spotting are normal in early healing. • For urethral piercings, saline rinsing while urinating and good hydration can help reduce stinging.
A short break from sex can help healing. If you do have sex (including masturbation), use protection, avoid discomfort, and clean afterwards.
Always avoid fluid exchange — use barriers (condoms, dental dams, etc.), and avoid unprotected oral sex due to infection risk.
Oral Piercings
Oral Piercing Aftercare
• Rinse 30–60 seconds after eating, smoking, or anything other than water using sea salt solution or alcohol-free mouthwash (e.g. Listerine 0% Alcohol – purple). • Clean the outside with basic piercing care. • Swelling is normal — use ice, keep head elevated, avoid alcohol, caffeine, aspirin, and straws. • Eat what’s comfortable; avoid spicy, hot, or acidic foods if irritating. • Avoid smoking or reduce during healing. • No wet kissing or unprotected oral sex during healing. • Keep jewellery in at all times — oral piercings close quickly. • When downsizing, change jewellery straight away once advised. • Avoid playing with the piercing while healing.