You've got a shiny new piercing, you're in love with it, and then bedtime comes. How do you lie down without squashing it? Don't worry: with a few tweaks you'll sleep fine. Here are our best tips, based on years of experience with clients who faced the same challenge.
1. Avoid pressure on the piercing
Used to sleeping on your side? Try sleeping on your back for a while. Pressure on the piercing, especially with ear piercings like a helix, tragus or conch, can cause swelling and irritation.
Can't sleep on your back? Try a travel pillow or donut pillow with a hole in the middle. That way your ear can rest freely without pressure.
2. Use a clean, soft pillowcase
Change your pillowcase every two to three days. Choose a soft, breathable fabric like cotton or satin. Dirt, oil and grime in your pillow are not what a fresh piercing needs, especially while your skin is still sensitive. Wash your pillowcases with a mild, fragrance-free detergent.
3. Watch out for loose hair, other earrings and make-up
Got long hair? Tie it up before bed. Hair rubbing against your piercing can irritate it. Don't wear other jewellery on the same side, and take off make-up or creams before you go to sleep.
4. Build a calm bedtime routine
Before you go to sleep:
- Clean your piercing with saline solution (such as AphraHeals).
- Pat it dry gently with a clean towel or tissue.
- Check that your jewellery is sitting well, but don't touch it unnecessarily.
Beyond that, you don't need ointments or other products. Everything is in our aftercare instructions.
5. Go easy on alcohol and wild nights
Alcohol can make you sleep more deeply and move around more without noticing. That way you might roll onto your piercing. Preferably keep things sober in the first week after your piercing, and sleep a little more upright if you notice you move a lot.
Frequently asked questions
How long do I need to be careful when sleeping? Until your piercing has healed. That depends on the spot and on you: a lobe is often quicker, cartilage usually takes months. Your piercer will tell you what to expect.
Can I sleep on my other ear? Yes, but be careful if you have several piercings or toss and turn a lot.
What if I accidentally slept on my piercing? No panic. Leave it alone, wash it with lukewarm water if needed and pat it dry. A bit of redness or swelling is normal with a new piercing: give it rest and don't force anything. Worried about how it's healing? Contact your GP, as our aftercare instructions advise, or drop by so we can take a look.
Summary
Sleeping with a new piercing takes some adjusting, but it's absolutely possible without discomfort. Create a clean, soft sleeping space, avoid pressure and give your body the chance to heal.
Quick tips:
- Sleep on your back or use a donut pillow
- Wash your pillowcases regularly
- Clean your piercing before going to sleep
- Tie up long hair
- Skip alcohol in the first days
About your jewellery
For a fresh piercing titanium is best, but gold is possible too: the first bar is longer and is later replaced with a shorter one, so we usually use a titanium bar with a gold attachment. Our gold is solid 14K and 18K gold (most in 18K). Read more in our FAQ on jewellery and materials.
Between 12 and 16? Then a parent or guardian comes along and signs the consent form, and you both bring ID. From 16 you can come on your own, with your own ID. More on our minimum age page. For costs, check our studio price list.
Piercings Works has been piercing in Amsterdam since 1998, and has been on the Reguliersbreestraat since 2004. We have more than 2,000 reviews and our team speaks six languages: Dutch, English, Spanish, Italian, Croatian and Indonesian. Questions about sleeping or aftercare? Send us a message or drop by the studio. Piercings Works: with you at every step of your piercing journey.