Piercing Aftercare
Healing, properly.
A needle piercing heals cleanly when it's left alone. Here's everything our piercers tell you in the studio — and what to do if something doesn't feel right.
Every day
Your Daily Cleaning Routine
Keep it simple — over-cleaning slows healing down just as much as under-cleaning does.
No need to rotate, twist, or "air out" your jewelry while cleaning — this can irritate a healing piercing rather than help it.
The short version
Do's & Don'ts While Healing
Do
- ✓Leave your jewelry in for the entire healing period — even briefly removing it can let the hole shrink or close.
- ✓Shower rather than bathe, and keep the piercing away from pool, lake, sea, and hot tub water until healed.
- ✓Change pillowcases and towels often, and keep hair tied back around a fresh ear piercing.
- ✓Check every so often that jewelry still sits snugly — let us know if it feels loose.
- ✓Be patient. Cartilage heals much slower than earlobes, and that's completely normal.
Avoid
- ✕Alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or antibacterial soap on the piercing — they dry out and damage healing skin.
- ✕Ointments, Bactine, or anything containing Benzalkonium Chloride.
- ✕Twisting, spinning, or otherwise fidgeting with your jewelry.
- ✕Sleeping directly on a healing ear piercing.
- ✕Makeup, hairspray, or perfume near the area.
Cartilage piercings heal from the outside in, so looking healed on the surface doesn't mean it's healed all the way through — which is exactly why patience matters most for helix, tragus, conch, and flat piercings.
The downsize
Why Your Bar Is Too Long — On Purpose
Fresh piercings swell, so we fit your first flat back at 8mm to give the tissue room. Once the swelling settles — around two months — that extra length starts to catch and move, which is what causes irritation bumps.
So come back. We'll swap it down to 6mm, or 5mm if you're settled. It takes five minutes, and it's free, always.
Find Your BoutiqueBy placement
Healing Times by Placement
Every ear heals at its own pace, but here's what to typically expect.
| Placement | Typical Healing Time |
|---|---|
| Lobe | 6–8 weeks |
| Upper Lobe | 8–12 weeks |
| Stacked Lobe | 8–12 weeks per piercing |
| Helix | 3–6 months |
| Forward Helix | 3–6 months |
| Lower Helix | 3–6 months |
| Flat | 6–9 months |
| Conch | 6–9 months |
| Tragus | 4–8 months |
Ranges above are typical, not guaranteed — healing depends on your body, your aftercare routine, and your lifestyle. Cartilage placements can take up to a year to feel completely settled. If in doubt, your I.Ma.Gi.N. piercer is always happy to take a look.
Questions
Aftercare FAQ
How long until I can change my jewelry?
Lobes after 6–8 weeks. Cartilage — helix, conch, tragus, flat — needs 3 to 9 months. Changing early is the most common cause of problems. When in doubt, let us check it first.
What is the bump next to my piercing?
Usually an irritation bump, caused by pressure or a bar that's now too long. It is not a keloid, and it is not usually an infection. Come in — often a downsize resolves it.
Can I use alcohol?
No. It damages healing tissue. Sterile saline is all you need.
What if it's still sore after a few months?
Cartilage stays tender far longer than people expect. Persistent throbbing or spreading redness is different — that's worth having us look at.
Can I swim while healing?
Not while healing. Pools, lakes and the sea all carry bacteria that a fresh channel will happily take in.
Do you pierce children?
Yes, from the age of 8, with a parent or guardian present. We use a needle for children too — never a gun.
Still Have Questions?
Every ear is different, and so is every healing journey. If anything feels off, don't wait — pop into one of our boutiques or reach out. We're happy to check on your piercing anytime, healed or not.
This guide offers general aftercare information and isn't a substitute for medical advice. If you're worried about your piercing, please consult a doctor or your piercer.