What is what happens if you change a piercing too early?

Changing a piercing too early can lead to a number of complications and hinder the healing process. Here's what can happen:

  • Infection: A fresh piercing is essentially an open wound. Changing the jewelry too soon can introduce bacteria, increasing the risk of a serious infection.

  • Irritation and Inflammation: Premature jewelry changes can irritate the delicate tissue around the piercing, causing inflammation, redness, and swelling.

  • Delayed Healing: Constantly disturbing the piercing site by changing jewelry interrupts the body's natural healing process, potentially leading to significantly delayed%20healing.

  • Piercing Closure: If the piercing isn't fully healed, removing the jewelry too soon can cause the hole to shrink or even close up completely, especially within the first few weeks. This might necessitate re-piercing if you want to wear jewelry in that location again.

  • Scarring: Aggravating the piercing too early can increase the likelihood of developing scarring, such as keloids or hypertrophic scars.

  • Difficulty Inserting New Jewelry: An unhealed piercing can be tender and prone to swelling. Attempting to insert new jewelry can be painful and difficult, potentially causing further tissue damage. It's best to wait until the piercing is fully healed before changing jewelry, following the aftercare instructions provided by your piercer and seeking professional advice if needed.