If you have a piercing, chances are you’ve already slept on it and noticed things aren’t looking great. Today we’re covering whether it’s actually okay to sleep on your piercings after they’re healed—and the important steps to get there safely.
Can You Sleep on Your Piercings After They’re Healed?
Yes, you can sleep on healed piercings.
You can absolutely sleep on your piercings after they’re healed. It would be unreasonable to get a piercing and never be able to sleep on that side again. That’s sacrificing sleep for a piece of jewelry, which isn’t worth it.
However, there are critical steps to follow before you can comfortably sleep on your piercings.
Step 1: Confirm Your Piercing Is Fully Healed
What “Fully Healed” Actually Means
Your ear piercing needs to be actually healed, not just seemingly healed. For cartilage piercings, full healing typically takes 6 to 9 months. Sometimes it can take up to one year.
Get Professional Confirmation
I highly suggest visiting a professional piercer to have them check your piercing and give you the green light. Once they confirm it’s fully healed, you’ll be more confident knowing you can sleep on your piercings and everything will be fine.
Step 2: Downsize Your Piercing Jewelry
Understanding Downsizing
This is a very important step that many people miss. When piercers do fresh piercings, they always give you a long bar or long post. This extra length provides space for initial swelling.
When to Downsize
A few months down the line, when your piercing starts calming down, you need to downsize. This means coming back to your piercer to remove the long post you originally got and replace it with a shorter one.
Why Downsizing Your Piercing Jewelry Matters for Sleep
Once you have the downsized post—a jewel in the front and a snug flatback in the back—your piercing won’t get snagged or caught. You’ll be able to sleep on it comfortably.
Be Gentle Even with Healed Piercings
Even though your piercings are fully healed, you still need to be careful. If you get smacked in the ear or sleep hard on a rigid surface, you could bump your ear and damage it. Be gentle when sleeping on your piercings.
Consider a Silk Piercing Pillow
I recommend a silk piercing pillow for those who want extra comfort. They’re very comfortable and stay cool throughout the night.
Sleeping Is a Top Cause of Healing Issues
During sleep, anything can happen. You’re not conscious of your movements. This is one of the top reasons why piercings don’t heal on time. Just be mindful that during sleep, your body moves in ways you’re unaware of, and that could be impacting your healing.
Steps to Sleep Safely on Your Piercings
Before you sleep on your piercings:
- Make sure your piercing is fully healed (6-12 months for cartilage)
- Get confirmation from a professional piercer
- Downsize your jewelry to a snug flatback
- Be gentle even after healing
- Consider using a silk piercing pillow for comfort
Follow these steps, and you’ll be able to sleep comfortably on your piercings without issues.