Piercing of any kind can be rewarding yet a scary experience. The thrill of wearing a new accessory can be evened out by the fear of infection and the wound in the first place. Nipple piercings are no exception. Nipple piercings are becoming increasingly popular nowadays with more and more youths leaning towards doing something adventurous with their bodies. If you are one of those that have a nipple piercing or are considering getting one, this question must have crossed your mind at least once: how fast do nipple piercings close? This is an important and pertinent question because nipple piercings are known to be sensitive. Unlike other piercings, nipple piercings tend to close faster than people expect. If you remove your jewelry, even for a short period, you may find it difficult to reinsert.
But don’t worry, we have you covered. In this guide, we’ll dive deep into everything you need to know about nipple piercing closure. From the speed at which it happens to tips on keeping your piercing open, we’ll discuss everything in detail to aid you in your endeavor. Let’s break it all down so you don’t have to worry about losing your piercing too soon!
What Does It Mean for a Piercing to Close Up?
When the expression the piercing has “closed up,” occurs, it means the body has started working on healing over the hole, making it difficult—or sometimes impossible—to put jewelry back in. The closure process can be of two types, either partial or complete:
- Partial closure: The outer edges may seal up, but a tunnel might still exist inside.
- Complete closure: The entire hole heals over, requiring repiercing if you want it again.
Why Do Nipple Piercings Close Up?
Our bodies are wired to treat piercings like injuries and it works to heal them as soon as jewelry is removed. Factors that contribute to closure include:
- Healing stage: The newer your piercing, the faster it will close once you take the jewelry out.
- Body’s healing ability: Some people’s skin regenerates faster than others.
- Irritation or infection: Can speed up the closure process.
- How long the jewelry has been out: The longer you go without jewelry, the higher the chance of closure.
How Fast Do Nipple Piercings Close?
Coming to the most pertinent question now, How fast do nipple piercings close? It depends on various factors including how long you’ve had the piercing and when or how often do you take your jewelry out:
- Less than 6 months old: Can start closing within minutes to hours.
- 6 months to 1 year old: May take a few days to a week.
- 1+ year old: Can stay open for weeks or months, but will eventually shrink if left empty.
- Fully healed (multiple years): Some people can go months without jewelry, while others may experience closure in weeks.
Your body’s healing speed plays a big role, so what takes one person days might take another person hours.
How Can You Keep a Nipple Piercing Open?
If you need to remove your jewelry but don’t want your piercing to close, here are some tips:
- Use a retainer: Clear, flexible retainers can keep the hole open discreetly. However, a dirty retainer may infect the area, so be careful.
- Don’t leave it empty for too long: If the piercing is fresh, it can close in a matter of hours if kept empty. Leaving it unattended even for a few hours can cause shrinkage in a fresh piercing.
- Massage the area: Even if you’re keeping the area empty, keep massaging the spot. Keeping the skin pliable can help prevent complete closure.
- Reinsert jewelry as soon as possible: If it starts feeling tight, act quickly before it closes completely.
How Should You Care for Your Nipple Piercing?
Caring for your nipple piercing properly can help extend its lifespan:
- Thoroughly clean with saline solution to mitigate the risk of infections.
- Harsh soaps or alcohol-based cleaners can be a real problem if applied to the pierced spot.
- Wearing tight clothes right after a piercing may increase friction and contribute to itchiness and infection. So wear comfortable outfits that are loose on the body.
- Fiddling with the jewelry is a strict no-no. Don’t twist or remove jewelry unnecessarily.
What Are Common Nipple Piercing Problems and How Can You Deal With Them?
- Infections: If you notice redness, swelling, or pus around the pierced area, it is a sure indicator of an infection. Gently rub saline soaks around the arean and avoid touching it unnecessarily.
- Jewelry rejection: If the piercing migrates closer to the surface, switch to high-quality titanium jewelry.
- Irritation bumps: Caused by friction or reactions to metal, these can be treated with saline soaks and avoiding irritation.
What Should You Do When Your New Nipple Piercing Closes Up?
In case your nipple piercing closes up, assess how long it has been since you removed the jewelry. If it’s only been a few hours or a day, you may still be able to reinsert the jewelry yourself without causing yourself harm. However, use a cautious approach and don’t force the jewelry in:
- Wash your hands thoroughly to prevent bacterial infection.
- Use a water-based lubricant to help ease the jewelry back in.
- Gently try reinserting the jewelry, but don’t force it if you feel resistance.
If the hole has already begun to close and you are unable to reinsert the jewelry, don’t force it. Visit a professional piercer. They have tools at their disposal that can reopen the hole safely. If the piercing has fully healed over, you will most likely need to wait a few weeks before getting it re-pierced. Always follow proper aftercare to ensure the new piercing heals correctly.
Factors Contributing Nipple Piercings to Close
- Healing stage: The fresher the piercing, the quicker it will heal. Ensure you have the jewelry on you the whole time to prevent closure.
- Infections or irritation: These can accelerate the closure process. Keep the area clean.
- Not wearing jewelry: Leaving the piercing empty for long periods leads to closure.
- Your body’s natural healing process: Some people’s skin heals faster than others.
When Can I Change My Nipple Piercing?
Ideally, one should wait at least 6 months to a year before changing your jewelry. Changing it too soon can cause irritation and prolong the healing process. Healing times can vary based on individual factors such as your immune system, aftercare routine, and how your body responds to the piercing.
Signs that your piercing is ready for a jewelry change include:
- You feel no pain or tenderness around the piercing site.
- There is no discharge, redness, or swelling.
- You are able to move the jewelry without discomfort.
If you’re unsure, consult a professional piercer before making any changes. They can check if your piercing is fully healed and recommend suitable jewelry options.
Common Questions About Nipple Piercing Closure
Will My Nipple Piercing Close in an Hour?
If your piercing is brand new, there is a very concrete possibility that it could close within an hour or two if the hole is left open. If it’s well-healed, you may have more time, but it is not recommended to keep the piercing unattended if you want to keep it.
How Long Does It Take for a Nipple Piercing to Close?
- Fresh piercings: Close within hours or a few days.
- 6 months to 1 year old: Can take a few days to a couple of weeks.
- Over a year old: Might stay open for weeks or months, but will eventually close if left empty.
Will My Nipple Piercing Close Overnight?
It depends on how long you’ve had it. A fresh piercing could shrink significantly overnight, while a well-healed one might only tighten a bit but still be usable the next day.
Can You Take Nipple Piercings Out?
Yes, but if you want to keep the piercing, it is not recommended to leave them out for long! Even a healed piercing can close over a certain period of time.
Does Milk Come Out of Piercing Holes?
For breastfeeding individuals, yes—it is possible for milk to come out of piercing holes, but it typically doesn’t affect milk supply.
Final Thoughts on Nipple Piercing Closure
So, how fast do nipple piercings close? It depends on various factors including your unique healing process, how long you’ve had the piercing, and how long you leave it empty. If you love your piercing and want to keep it, be mindful of how long you go without jewelry. Even if it does close, don’t panic—you can always get it re-pierced!
Have you ever had a piercing close up faster than you expected? Share your experience in the comments!
