Ear piercings are a popular form of self-expression, but many people wonder: Do ear piercings close if you stop wearing earrings? The answer depends on a few things.
Here’s the brief for you: Yes, ear piercings can close if you stop wearing earrings. New piercings close fast, while older ones may stay open longer or never fully close.
In this blog, we’ll cover:
✔️ How different ear piercings heal
✔️ Which ones close faster (earlobe vs. cartilage)
✔️ Ways to keep your piercings open
Let’s get into the details of this topic.
Key Takeaways:
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How Ear Piercings Heal and Close
The Wound Healing Process
When you get a new ear piercing, your body begins a wound-healing process:
- Inflammation (0-3 days): Swelling and redness.
- Tissue Formation (1-6 weeks): Skin begins to heal around the earring.
- Maturation (6+ months): Stronger skin forms, reducing closure risk.
Stages of Piercing Closure
- New Piercing (1-2 weeks old): Closes in hours if earrings are removed.
- Healing Piercing (1-3 months old): Closes within 1-2 days.
- Fully Healed Piercing (6+ months old): May take weeks to months to close.
- Years-Old Piercing (1+ year old): Some may never close completely.
Do Ear Piercings Close? Factors That Influence Piercing Closure
Not all piercings close the same way. Some close fast, while others stay open for years.
Why does this happen? It depends on a few key things.
Let’s break it down!
Age of the Piercing
- New piercings (under 3 months) close the fastest. If you remove the earring, the hole can shrink or close within days.
- Fully healed piercings (6+ months) take longer to close. Some may never close completely, especially if you’ve worn earrings for years.
Piercing Location
- Earlobe piercings close more slowly because the tissue is soft and heals quickly.
- Cartilage piercings (like forward helix and orbital piercings) close faster. Cartilage has less blood flow, which makes it harder to keep open without earrings.
Jewellery Material & Thickness
- Thicker earrings keep the hole open longer. Thinner studs or small hoops may let it close faster.
- Gold, titanium, or stainless steel helps prevent irritation and keeps piercings healthy. Cheap metals can cause reactions or infections, which ultimately leads to faster closure.
Infection or Complications
- An ear-piercing infection can cause swelling, pain, and discharge.
- In some cases, an infected piercing forms scar tissue, which might stop it from closing completely.
Genetics & Scar Tissue Formation
- Some people naturally heal faster than others.
- If you are prone to keloids (thick scar tissue), your piercing may stay open longer or form a bump instead of closing smoothly.
Ear Piercing Chart – Choosing the Right Placement
Different types of ear piercings heal at different speeds.
| Piercing Type | Placement | Healing Time | Closes Quickly? |
| Standard Lobe | Lower soft part of the ear | 6-8 weeks | No, stays open longer |
| Upper Lobe | Upper part of the earlobe | 6-8 weeks | No, stays open longer |
| Helix | Outer upper cartilage | 6-12 months | Yes, if not healed properly |
| Forward Helix | Outer rim near the head | 6-12 months | Yes, closes fast |
| Conch | Inner ear cartilage | 6-12 months | Yes, can close quickly |
| Daith | Inner cartilage fold | 6-12 months | Yes, may close quickly |
| Rook | Fold of cartilage above the daith | 6-12 months | Yes, closes fast |
| Tragus | Small cartilage near ear canal | 6-12 months | Yes, if not fully healed |
| Anti-Tragus | Opposite the tragus | 6-12 months | Yes, can close fast |
| Industrial | Two piercings connected by a bar | 6-12 months | Yes, requires consistent care |
| Orbital | Two piercings connected by a ring | 6-12 months | Yes, closes very fast |
How Long Can You Leave Piercings Without Earrings?
The time before your piercing closes depends on its age and location.
| Piercing Age | Closure Risk |
| Less than 1 Month | Very High (Hours) |
| 1-3 Months | High (1-2 Days) |
| 6-12 Months | Medium (Few Weeks) |
| 1-2 Years | Low (Months) |
| 2+ Years | Very Low (May Never Close) |
💡 Second Ear Piercings & Trendy Cute Ear Piercings
- Second ear piercings close faster because they are often smaller and newer.
- Trendy cute ear piercings (e.g., forward helix or orbital piercings) can close within hours to days.
Can You Reopen a Closed Piercing?
So, How to Reopen a Partially Closed Piercing?
- Apply lubricant (e.g., coconut oil) to the area.
- Gently insert a thin earring (avoid forcing it).
- Twist slowly and let the skin adjust.
When to Seek Professional Help?
- If pain, bleeding, or resistance occurs.
- If the ear piercing infection reactivates.
How to Prevent Piercings from Closing?
Want to keep your piercings open? You need to take care of them! If you stop wearing earrings for too long, the hole can shrink or close.
Here’s how to keep them open and healthy.
1. Wear Earrings Regularly
- If your piercing is new, don’t remove your earrings for at least 6 months.
- For healed piercings, wear earrings at least once a week to prevent closure.
- Cartilage piercings close faster, so wear earrings more often.
2. Use Ear Piercing Retainers
- If you can’t wear metal earrings (for work, school, or medical reasons), use a clear retainer.
- Retainers are small, flexible pieces made of plastic or glass that keep the hole open.
3. Choose the Right Jewellery
- Lightweight earrings reduce pressure on the hole.
- Gold, titanium, or surgical steel is best for sensitive skin.
- Avoid cheap metals that can cause infections or irritation.
As we know, wearing the right earrings is super important to avoid discomfort, infections, or irritation.
At Urban Bling, we help you choose the perfect earrings that match your style while keeping your comfort in mind. Our collection includes high-quality, skin-friendly options, ensuring both beauty and ear health!
Needle vs. Ear Piercing Gun – Which Ear Piercing Instrument Better?
Ear-piercing guns use a blunt stud to force a hole in your ear, which can hurt more and damage the skin. These piercings close faster because the skin doesn’t heal evenly.
On the other hand, needle piercings are cleaner, hurt less, and heal better. They stay open longer because the hole is made properly.
**Final Tip: If you want your piercing to last, take good care of it, wear earrings often, and choose good-quality jewellery! 😊
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Wrapping Up
So, hopefully, you have got the answer to your question, “Do Ear Piercings Close?”
- New piercings close within hours/days.
- Older piercings may stay open indefinitely.
- Cartilage piercings close faster than earlobe piercings.
- Use retainers if you want to keep your piercing open.
Oh, if you’re interested to learn all about Christmas earrings, you can check out this guide now!
FAQs
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