Body Piercing Healing Times | Kaiser Permanente (2024)

Overview

Each body piercing site has its own normal healing time. Common sites usually heal within the time frames listed below. Healing depends on many things. It can depend on how big the piercing is and how thick the tissue is at the site. Your own ability to heal can also affect healing time.

Piercing site healing times

Piercing site

Healing time

Ear cartilage (curve of ear)

2 to 4 months

Nostril (nose)

2 to 8 months

Face (includes the earlobes, eyebrows, and lips)

6 to 8 weeks

Inside of the mouth or tongue

3 to 6 weeks

Nipple

6 to 12 months

Genitals (cl*toral hood, labia, and penis)

6 to 12 months

Belly button (navel)

Up to 9 months

A piercing may not heal as fast if it gets infected or irritated or if scar tissue forms. You may need to see your doctor if your piercing does not seem to be healing.

Related Information

Credits

Current as of: November 16, 2023

Author: Healthwise Staff
Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

Top of the page

Next Section:

Related Information »

Current as of: November 16, 2023

Author: Healthwise Staff

Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

Body Piercing Healing Times  | Kaiser Permanente (2024)

FAQs

Body Piercing Healing Times | Kaiser Permanente? ›

The healing process takes at least six to eight weeks. Most body piercings require at least six months to a year before the jewelry can be removed for any length of time without the risk of the hole closing. Average healing times are: Earlobe — 6 to 8 weeks.

How long do body piercings take to heal? ›

The healing process takes at least six to eight weeks. Most body piercings require at least six months to a year before the jewelry can be removed for any length of time without the risk of the hole closing. Average healing times are: Earlobe — 6 to 8 weeks.

What piercings take 2 weeks to heal? ›

Surface Piercings
Minimum HealingPiercing
2-3 weeksTongue
6-8 weeksEar Lobes, Lower Lip, Smiley, Bridge, Eyebrow, Dermals, Labia, PA, Frenum, Scrotum
8-12 weeksEar Rim, Helix, Conch, Tragus, Forward Helix, Daith, Madonna, Medusa, Septum, VCH, Triangle, Guiche
2 more rows
Oct 15, 2020

What piercing has the longest healing time? ›

A navel piercing has one of the longest healing times – as much as 12 months – because of its position on your body.

What is the hardest piercing to heal? ›

ROOK. Rook piercings are located in the cartilage at the uppermost part of the inner ear. The location does go through a thick bit of cartilage so it can be more painful and harder to heal than many other spots on the ear. The Rook is more in line with the Snug when it comes to pain and healing.

How long do piercings stay inflamed? ›

Inflammation is the first phase of healing. It is technically made up of two seperate things that work side by side to help you heal quickly! The inflammatory phase begins almost immediately after your piercing and can last between 3-6 days.

How can I make my body piercing heal faster? ›

Follow these simple suggestions to ensure a smooth healing process:
  1. Maintain a healthy mind and body. Understanding how your body works is important in the successful healing of a new piercing. ...
  2. Get some rest and take it easy. ...
  3. Keep it clean. ...
  4. Consider taking a multivitamin. ...
  5. Get help if something goes wrong.

What piercing heals the slowest? ›

Navel piercings take the longest to heal, usually taking anywhere between 6 to 12 months. It is important to keep the area clean and dry, and avoid changing jewelry too often.

What piercing is most likely to get infected? ›

Your upper ear is cartilage, a thick, stiff tissue with less blood flow. Piercings in your upper ear are more likely to become infected, and infections in your upper ear are sometimes serious.

What is the least painful piercing? ›

Belly button piercings are considered the second least painful piercings after ear piercings. That's because the thick tissue left behind from when your umbilical cord was removed is flesh and not very nerve dense.

What is the riskiest piercing? ›

Eyeball and Eyelid Piercings rank among the most unusual and risky types of piercings, yet they still occur! This piercing typically requires a Hoop or Circular Barbell pierced at the outer corner of the eye typically not touching your actual eyeball.

What is the number one most painful piercing? ›

What are the top 10 most painful piercings?
  • Nipple piercing. At number one we like to immediately place the famous nipple piercing. ...
  • Industrial piercing. ...
  • Smoke piercing. ...
  • Daith piercing. ...
  • Conch piercing. ...
  • Tragus piercing. ...
  • Flat piercing. ...
  • Lip piercing.

What piercings scar the most? ›

The scars can form anywhere on your body, but they're most common with nose and ear cartilage piercings. Cartilage doesn't heal as well as other tissues. Hypertrophic scars are also common on your chest, upper back, and shoulders. Dermal piercings in these areas might be more prone to scarring.

What piercing helps with stress? ›

Daith piercings can usually only be performed using a specialized needle that Dakota designed. Although it was initially done for purely aesthetic purposes, some claim that this piercing also helps reduce their anxiety symptoms. Some people also use it to treat migraines.

What's the worst piercing to get infected? ›

Whenever the skin's protective barrier is broken, local skin infections from staph or strep bacteria are a risk. Of all the body sites commonly pierced, the navel is the most likely to become infected because of its shape.

How do I know when my piercing is healed? ›

Signs Your Piercing May be Fully Healed:
  1. It's been 12-24 months since you received your piercing*
  2. There is no more discharge or redness.
  3. The piercing is not tender to touch.
  4. The jewellery is loose and moves somewhat freely.
Mar 14, 2023

When can I change my piercing? ›

When should I change earrings after ear piercing? Professionally, it is recommended that you change your earrings after at least six weeks after getting your piercing. Within this period, it is expected that the wound created by the piercing will have healed, and it is safe to remove the old earrings and wear new ones.

How long does it take for a piercing hole to close? ›

If the piercing is left empty for an extended period, it may start to close up within a few hours. After a few days, the hole may become difficult to re-pierce, and after several months, it may close up completely.

How long do needle piercings take to heal? ›

Overview
Piercing siteHealing time
Nostril (nose)2 to 8 months
Face (includes the earlobes, eyebrows, and lips)6 to 8 weeks
Inside of the mouth or tongue3 to 6 weeks
Nipple6 to 12 months
3 more rows

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Terrell Hackett

Last Updated:

Views: 5742

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (72 voted)

Reviews: 87% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Terrell Hackett

Birthday: 1992-03-17

Address: Suite 453 459 Gibson Squares, East Adriane, AK 71925-5692

Phone: +21811810803470

Job: Chief Representative

Hobby: Board games, Rock climbing, Ghost hunting, Origami, Kabaddi, Mushroom hunting, Gaming

Introduction: My name is Terrell Hackett, I am a gleaming, brainy, courageous, helpful, healthy, cooperative, graceful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.