Piercing question!

[justaminutedarling]

I don't think there's a piercing section so here will have to do :D does anyone know how long after a cartilage piercing the body can suddenly decide to reject it? I can't find a straight answer to this on Google!

[PaperdollCartoon]

Any time really. You’re not finding a straight answer because there isn’t one. If you’re having problems clean it with fresh saline solution (sea salt in boiling water left to cool) and cotton wool, a couple of times a day.

[justaminutedarling]

Thanks Paperdoll... I made the mistake of taking the stud out to clean it and within a few days it healed right up which is annoying! I was just surprised that it happened after having no problems with it for such a long time and wondered if that was a bit odd!

[MidnightVelvetthe7th]

Did you leave the stud out for a few days?

My first ear piercings that I had as a child will not close up now, I can not wear earrings for weeks & weeks & they will be fine.

My nose piercing? I wouldn't give it more than a couple of hours before it started closing.

I'm not sure there's a one size fits all answer....

[justaminutedarling]

I did Midnight... only around 3 or 4 days but that was clearly too long.
I didn't realise how quickly they heal... oops!

[PaperdollCartoon]

So it hasn’t rejected, the hole has just healed up? Piercing rejection is when the body starts forcing the jewellery out. Why did you take the stud out to clean, there’s literally no need for this? Did you get it pierced by a proper piercer who told you what to do?

[justaminutedarling]

They didn't give me any info other than to keep it clean... not impressed with them at all :(

[thedevilinablackdress]

I occasionally take out my cartilage piercing when going to the hairdresser (more because it upsets them to catch it than any pain to me). I find that it starts to close/narrow really quickly if I don't put something straight back in. This is after 20+ years 😒

[justaminutedarling]

crikey devil... this is something I wish I'd known! My education has lots of holes... more than can be said for my ear

[AdalindSchade]

Forever! But you can re open it. Buy a very thin silver or stainless steel stud and you will be able to push it through. If the back has healed over it will only be a very thin layer of skin and you will be able to pop the stud through easily. Do not try with a piercers ring or bar bell, they will be too thick.

I have recently opened up all my ear piercings. The helix was a bit swollen for a few days but went down fine. Previously I hadn't worn an earring in it for over 10 years

[justaminutedarling]

thanks Adalind...will see how brave I'm feeling later! :) :)

[PaperdollCartoon]

Did you get it done with a gun then? Or go to a proper piercers and get it done with a needle? Clean your hole and the stud with saline AND NOTHING ELSE, and see if you can pop the stud back through. If you can, leave it in and just clean it with saline for a few weeks, don’t take it out to be cleaned it’s not necessary. After a few months it should stay open forever, but not necessarily. My lobe piercings never close now, though I never wear earrings, all my other old piercing holes have closed up and did so very quickly.