Below are approximate healing times for healthy piercings—for most people. Your piercing may heal more quickly or take even longer. Continue suggested aftercare for at least the amount of time listed below for your piercing.
Many piercings use a longer post (or larger diameter ring) for the initial healing than what will be ultimately worn in the piercing when it is healed. For these piercings, the jewelry should often be downsized before the end of the healing period. This is especially true with oral piercings and most ear and nose piercings. For more information, see the Downsizing page.
At the end of the healing time, twice-daily cleaning is no longer required, although periodic cleaning is still suggested. When your piercing is healed, jewelry can safely be changed, but it shouldn’t be left out for longer than it takes to insert new jewelry. Even once the hole becomes permanent it can still shrink and make jewelry reinsertion more difficult. If you like your piercing, keep jewelry in it.
Ear & Facial Piercings
Ear Lobes |
2-3 months / 10-12 weeks |
Ear Cartilage |
6 months–1 year |
Eyebrow |
2-3 months / 10-12 weeks |
Nostril |
6 months–1 year |
Septum |
6–8 weeks |
Bridge |
4-6 months |
Oral Piercings
Tongue |
4 weeks |
Lip/Labret/Beauty Mark/Philtrum |
6–8 weeks |
Cheek |
6 months–1 year+ |
Nipples & Navels
Nipples |
6 months–1 year |
Navels |
6 months–1 year |
Vulva Piercings
Inner Labia |
4–6 weeks |
Outer Labia |
3–6 months |
Clitoral Hood |
4–6 weeks |
Fourchette |
6–8 weeks |
Triangle |
8–12 weeks |
Christina |
6–8 months |
Clitoris |
4–6 weeks |
Princess Albertina |
4–6 weeks |
Penis Piercings
Prince Albert |
4-6 weeks |
Reverse PA |
4–6 months |
Frenum |
6–8 weeks |
Scrotum |
6–8 weeks |
Guiche |
8–10 weeks |
Dydoe |
8–12 weeks |
Foreskin |
8–10 weeks |
Ampallang/Apadravya |
4–8 months |
Pubic |
1 year or longer |
Surface Piercings & Anchors
Surface Piercings |
1 year or longer |
Surface Anchors |
2-6 months |