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Stocksy

In This Article

Getting a new piercing is an exciting feeling.

However, there is the hope that a piercing hole can be re-opened.

woman with pink hair and septum piercing

Stocksy

Meet the Experts

How Long Does It Take for a Piercing to Close?

A piercing can close in a few hours, days, weeks, or much longer.

This comes down to a few factors, a major one being the age of the piercing.

“It will vary from body to bodyand even piercing to piercing,” says Lynn.

If removed, that tissue will grow back over the piercing site.

This applies to piercings that are not fully healedwhich takes around six months.

Old Piercings

An older piercing doesn’t put you in the clear, either, though.

Can You Re-Open a Closed Hole?

However, there is a chance that a closed hole is only actually partially covered.

A thin layer of skin may have grown over the hole, leaving the piercing hole just beneath it.

If it’s a medical procedure, says Lynn, you’re free to wear a glass retainer.

Can You Re-Pierce the Hole?

Yes, you most likely can re-pierce the hole.

Despite your piercing hole closing, what grows back is the same tissue as beforejust scarred.

As Nazarian says, “Piercing again requires you to injure the skin through scarred tissue.”

Because the tissue grows backalbeit scarredit can easily be pierced again.

“Sometimes, it’s a matter of waiting longer until your body re-absorbs the scar tissue.

Sometimes you’ve got the option to’t re-pierce it at all.

you’ve got the option to use saline solution or soap and water forcleansing your piercingsite.

No matter what, never attempt to remove your jewelry at all until your piercing is fully healed.

Otherwise, you could almost guarantee itll close up.