How To Reopen A Closed Ear Piercing

If you’re looking to reopen a closed ear piercing (or nose etc) here is how:

Step 1: Clean the Area: Apply an antiseptic solution to the area around the closed piercing. This will help prevent infection.

Step 2: Insert the new and sterile Earring: Gently try to insert the earring into the hole. If you encounter resistance, do not force it. Forcing an earring through a closed piercing can cause pain, bleeding, and potentially serious complications.

Step 3: Seek Professional Help: If you cannot easily reopen the piercing yourself, seek help from a professional piercer. They have the training and tools necessary to safely reopen closed piercings.

Read on for more details on aftercare, potential problems to help you understand more on reopening a piercing.

Stages of a Piercing Closing

Ear piercings can close for a number of reasons, such as infection, injury, or simply removing the jewelry for an extended period. When a piercing closes, the body’s healing process causes the skin to grow back together, creating a barrier in the hole.

If the piercing is only partially closed, there’s still a usable hole. The skin has grown over the hole, but there’s still a tunnel underneath it. It’s advised to resist the urge to break through the skin as this can lead to infection or bleeding. Instead, steps can be taken to soften the skin and carefully push the earring through the backside of the earlobe​.

If the piercing is fully closed, it’s recommended to seek the help of a professional piercer to avoid complications such as infection, tissue damage, and nerve damage.​

It may be possible to get re-pierced in the same spot, but only a professional can determine this. If the hole is closed due to an allergic reaction or infection, it may not be advisable to pierce the same spot​.

If there’s significant scar tissue, it might be better to pierce a different spot or avoid another piercing entirely, as there’s a higher chance of developing a keloid in the new piercing​.

Preparation for Reopening

Before you begin, make sure you have all the necessary supplies: a new, sterile earring, antiseptic solution, and a pair of clean gloves. It’s also recommended to consult with a professional piercer or a healthcare provider before attempting to reopen a piercing on your own. They can provide expert advice and assess whether it’s safe to proceed.

The Process of Reopening

Step 1: Clean the Area: Apply an antiseptic solution to the area around the closed piercing. This will help prevent infection.

Step 2: Insert the Earring: Gently try to insert the earring into the hole. If you encounter resistance, do not force it. Forcing an earring through a closed piercing can cause pain, bleeding, and potentially serious complications.

Step 3: Seek Professional Help: If you cannot easily reopen the piercing yourself, seek help from a professional piercer. They have the training and tools necessary to safely reopen closed piercings.

Aftercare

Once your piercing is reopened, proper aftercare is essential. Clean the piercing daily with a saline solution, and avoid touching it with dirty hands. Try not to sleep on the side of the reopened piercing, as this can cause irritation and slow the healing process.

Potential Problems

Reopening a closed ear piercing isn’t without risks. Potential problems include infection, keloids, and allergic reactions. If you notice any signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, or discharge, seek medical attention immediately.

Important Considerations

Before deciding to reopen a closed ear piercing, consider the potential risks and benefits. Consult with a professional to understand the potential implications, including the chance of scarring, pain, and infection. Also, remember that everyone’s body is different, and what works for one person might not work for another.

Conclusion

Reopening a closed ear piercing can be a journey, but with the right knowledge and preparation, it’s a manageable one. By understanding the piercing experience, preparing properly, following the right steps, practicing diligent aftercare, and being aware of potential problems, you can navigate this process with confidence. Remember, when in doubt, always consult with a professional. 

FAQs

How long does it take for an ear piercing to close completely?

This largely depends on how long you’ve had your piercing. Fresh piercings, especially those less than a year old, can close within hours of removing the earring. However, for piercings you’ve had for many years, it may take weeks, months, or potentially never fully close. This is because your body treats a piercing like a wound, and it works to heal it when jewelry is removed.

Can a professional piercer help to reopen a closed ear piercing?

Yes, professional piercers are equipped with the tools and expertise to safely reopen closed ear piercings. They’ll assess the condition of your ear and can guide a new earring through the existing channel. If the piercing has completely closed, they may need to repierce the area. Remember, it’s crucial not to try this at home, as it could lead to infection or scarring.

How should I care for my ear after having a closed piercing reopened?

Treat a reopened piercing as you would a new one. Clean it regularly with a saline solution, avoid touching it with dirty hands, and don’t remove the jewelry until it’s completely healed. It’s also essential to keep an eye out for signs of infection, like redness, swelling, or pus. If you observe any of these symptoms, consult a medical professional immediately.

Can a closed ear piercing be reopened without re-piercing?

It may be possible, depending on how long the earring has been removed and the degree to which the hole has closed. A professional piercer might be able to guide a taper through the channel to reopen it without fully re-piercing. However, if the hole has closed completely, a new piercing may be necessary.

How soon can I change my earring after reopening a closed ear piercing?

For a reopened piercing, you should ideally wait until the area has completely healed before changing the earring, which typically takes 6-8 weeks for lobe piercings and 3-9 months for cartilage piercings. Changing the earring too soon could disrupt the healing process or introduce bacteria into the wound, leading to infection.

Interesting Info

1. Not all ear piercings close at the same rate. The closing speed varies depending on the location of the piercing. For instance, a lobe piercing tends to close slower than a cartilage piercing due to different tissue types.
2. The human body perceives a piercing as a wound. Consequently, the immune system initiates the healing process, which may lead to the closure of the piercing when the jewelry is removed. It’s this self-repair mechanism that makes reopening a closed piercing potentially complex.
3. Your skin type can influence the healing process of a reopened piercing. People with keloid-prone skin may experience thicker scar tissue around the piercing area, which can make reopening a closed piercing more challenging.