Getting a piercing is more than just wearing a beautiful piece of jewelry, it is also an impressive biological process. As soon as the piercing is done, your body starts healing . Unlike with a regular wound, your body now has to deal with a permanent 'foreign object': the jewelry. This makes healing more complex and takes longer . In this blog we explain step by step how your body tackles this process, including important medical terms (with explanation) and tips for healthy healing.

When you look at a cross-section of the skin, you see different layers that all play a role in the healing process. The epidermis forms the outer protective layer. Underneath lies the dermis, rich in blood vessels, nerves and connective tissue, this is where most recovery takes place.

In cartilage piercings, such as in the helix or conch, the canal runs even deeper: through cartilage tissue. Since cartilage has little blood supply, healing is slower there and the risk of complications is greater. Around the jewelry, the body eventually forms an epithelial-lined tunnel, a kind of internal skin layer, which encloses and protects the canal.

In the final stage, the temporary tissue is replaced by stronger connective tissue, making the canal firmer and more stable:

• The collagen in the canal changes from a weaker form (type III) to a stronger variant (type I).
• The blood circulation and cells work less intensively, which makes the healing process calmer and the scar less visible.
• The skin barrier is completely restored, and the canal is now firm and well protected.

Duration: 12 to 24 months, especially for cartilage piercings.

Although most piercings heal well, complications can sometimes occur:

• Infections
  Bacteria can attach to the jewelry and form a slimy biofilm. This causes inflammation and is difficult to remove.
• Keloids
  Excessive scarring due to connective tissue overgrowth. Often genetically determined or due to pressure.
  👉 Read: Keloids in piercings: what can you do?
• Migration or outgrowth
  When there is tension or friction, the body tries to reject the jewelry, which hinders healing.
  👉 Read: Piercing grows out: causes and solutions
• Fluid lump (granuloma or lymphedema)
  A small red or clear bump next to the piercing, often due to irritation or fluid retention.
  👉 Read: Fluid Bump on Your Piercing? Here's How to Get Rid of It

Good aftercare is essential for a smooth and problem-free recovery. With these four basic rules you help your body optimally:

• Leave your piercing alone - Do not touch the jewelry with unwashed hands, do not twist it, and avoid pressure or friction.
• Clean daily - Use only sterile saline (0.9% NaCl). Avoid alcohol or tea tree oil.
• Live healthy - Eat a diet rich in protein, get enough vitamins and minerals, and avoid smoking.
• Schedule a check-up appointment - Have your piercing checked by a professional piercer after 2 to 8 weeks.

👉 More tips for optimal healing can be found here

A piercing heals on average 50 to 200% slower than a regular cut. This is because your body not only has to repair the skin, but also has to get used to a permanent foreign object: the jewelry. With the right aftercare, a well-chosen piece of jewelry and enough patience, you give your body the best chance of a beautiful, healthy and permanent piercing channel.

Are you curious about how to best care for your piercing, which jewelry is most suitable or how we work at All Perfectly Pierced?
Then take a look at our other blogs and expand your knowledge about everything related to piercings:
👉 View all blogs from All Perfectly Pierced

Ready for a new piercing or questions about healing? Simply book an appointment via our online agenda. Our specialists are ready to guide you to a beautiful and healthy piercing.

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