Getting a new piercing is always exciting. From choosing the perfect placement and jewellery to creating a curated ear stack, there are so many ways to personalise your piercings and create a look that is uniquely yours.
But getting pierced is only the beginning. Knowing when to downsize your piercing jewellery, when you can safely change jewellery and how to care for your piercing afterwards is an important part of the healing process.
Whether you have a new helix, conch, lobe, nose or body piercing, understanding the difference between downsizing, changing over and being fully healed can help keep your piercing comfortable and looking its best.
What Does Downsizing Your Piercing Jewellery Mean?
When you receive a new piercing, your piercer will generally use a longer bar or post to allow room for the swelling that naturally occurs during the early stages of healing.
As the swelling settles, you may notice that there is extra space around the jewellery. This is when your piercing may be ready for a downsizing appointment.
Downsizing involves replacing the initial longer jewellery with a shorter bar or post that is better suited to your piercing once the initial swelling has reduced.
Leaving an unnecessarily long bar in place can make your jewellery more likely to catch on hair, clothing or bedding. It may also be knocked or pushed while sleeping, which can cause ongoing irritation and contribute to piercing bumps or migration.
How Do You Know When Your Piercing Is Ready to Downsize?
Every piercing heals differently, so it is important to have your piercing assessed by a professional piercer before changing the jewellery size.
Some common signs that your piercing may be ready for a downsize include:
- Swelling has settled: The tissue surrounding the piercing looks calm, with little to no noticeable puffiness.
- Healing has settled: along with swelling being decraesed there should also be no signs of yellow crusty discharge, or bleeding around the piercing.
- Extra post is visible: You can see more of the bar or post than you did when the piercing was first performed.
- The initial healing period has passed: Your piercer may recommend assessing your piercing for downsizing after approximately 6–12 weeks, depending on the piercing and how it is healing.
- Your jewellery is catching: Excessively long jewellery that frequently catches on hair, clothing or bedding may be a sign that it needs to be assessed.
Remember: A piercing can look settled on the outside while it is still healing internally. Always have your piercing checked by a professional before downsizing.
Downsizing vs Changing Your Piercing Jewellery
It is important to understand that downsizing is not the same as fully changing your piercing jewellery.
A downsize is usually performed to replace the longer initial jewellery with a more appropriate size as swelling decreases. Your piercing is still healing during this stage.
A jewellery change can refer to changing the style, colour, material or design of your jewellery. Depending on the piercing, this may be possible during the healing process when performed by a professional piercer.
Being fully healed is different again. A piercing can take considerably longer to fully heal (12-24 months) than the initial 6–12-week period.
Our Piercing Jewellery Changeover Checklist
Before changing your piercing jewellery, there are several important things to consider.
1. When Did You Get Your Piercing?
The age of your piercing is an important factor when deciding whether it is ready for a jewellery change.
While some piercings may be ready for a professional changeover after the initial healing period, others can take significantly longer to fully heal. Even if your piercing looks healthy from the outside, the internal piercing channel may still be developing.
If your piercing is less than 24 months old, it may still be more susceptible to irritation or flare-ups when jewellery is changed.
2. Has Your Piercing Been Knocked or Irritated?
Think about whether your piercing has recently been knocked, caught or pulled.
Trauma such as snagging your jewellery or accidentally hitting your piercing can cause irritation and may prolong the healing process. If your piercing has experienced bleeding or significant irritation, it may need additional healing time before a jewellery change.
3. Do You Know the Difference Between Initial Healing and Fully Healed?
One of the most important things to understand about piercing aftercare is that initial healing does not necessarily mean your piercing is fully healed.
During the early stages of healing, new tissue begins to form around the jewellery. Although the outside of the piercing may appear settled, the inside can remain delicate.
This is why jewellery should remain in place throughout the healing process unless a professional piercer advises otherwise.
As the piercing continues to heal, the tissue around the jewellery gradually becomes more established. Once your piercing is fully healed, you will generally have more flexibility when it comes to changing your jewellery.
4. Can Your Piercing Flare Up After a Jewellery Change?
Yes. Even a well-established piercing can experience some irritation following a jewellery change, particularly if it has been knocked, the jewellery has been changed frequently, or the piercing is not fully healed.
A flare-up may include:
- Mild swelling
- Tenderness
- Redness
- Minor bleeding
- Crusting or discharge
If your piercing becomes irritated after a jewellery change, return to your recommended piercing aftercare routine. Sterilear Step 1 Aftercare Piercing Spray can be used as part of your piercing aftercare routine to help keep the area clean.
After 2 weeks swap to our Sterilear Step 2 Spray its enhanced formula is enriched with aloe vera, lavender and vitamin E to soothe the skin and promote healing. It also contains peppermint oil to provide anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties.
If you experience significant swelling, increasing pain, heat, spreading redness or ongoing discharge, seek advice from a qualified healthcare professional.
5. Make Sure Your Jewellery Is Secure
When changing your jewellery in salon, your piercer will ensure that the jewellery is fitted and securely fastened.
However, jewellery can gradually loosen through everyday activities such as sleeping, changing clothes, exercising or accidentally touching your piercing.
Avoid unnecessarily twisting or playing with your jewellery and regularly check that removable components are secure without over-tightening them.
When Should You Change Your Piercing Jewellery?
There is no single timeframe that applies to every piercing. Healing times vary depending on the piercing location, jewellery, individual healing and whether the piercing has experienced irritation or trauma.
Your piercer can assess your piercing and let you know whether it is suitable for a downsize or jewellery change.
If you are unsure whether your piercing is ready, it is always better to have it professionally assessed rather than changing the jewellery yourself.
| Piercing | Changeover Times |
| Ear Lobes & Tongue | 6–8 weeks |
| Ear Cartilage (Helix, Conch, Tragus) | 8–12 weeks |
| Belly/Navel | 12-20 weeks |
| Nose, Eyebrow, Lip & Dermal | 8–12 weeks |
| Septum | 8–12 weeks |
| Surface | 8–12 weeks |
| Nipple & Genital | 8–12 weeks |
Looking After You’re Piercing After a Jewellery Change
After changing your jewellery, continue treating your piercing with care. Avoid unnecessary touching, twisting or rotating and keep personal care products such as makeup, perfume and lotions away from the piercing.
If irritation occurs, return to your recommended aftercare routine and avoid changing the jewellery again until the piercing has settled.
Ready to Downsize or Change Your Piercing Jewellery?
Whether you’re ready for your first jewellery change or looking to create your next curated ear stack, our professional piercing team can help you choose the right jewellery and assess whether your piercing is ready to be changed.
Not sure if your piercing is ready to downsize? Visit your local Essential Beauty & Piercing salon for professional advice and a piercing check.