Ear Piercing Closing Up? All Our Tips to Prevent It

By Joe DunneMay 26, 2025

Close-up of a young woman adjusting a gold earring in front of a mirror. The image illustrates the care given to an ear piercing and the daily routine that keeps a piercing from closing up.

Whether you wear earrings every day or only now and then, an ear piercing can close up, sometimes in just a few days. This phenomenon, as common as it is frustrating, can catch you off guard even several years after the original piercing.

At Laveran Paris, we know how much your jewelry means to you, both sentimentally and aesthetically. Our ethical, sustainable lab-grown diamond creations deserve to be worn comfortably and without irritation. In this article, we share our best tips for keeping an ear piercing from closing — so you can keep wearing your favorite earrings with complete peace of mind.

Why can an ear piercing close up?

An ear piercing, even an old one, can close naturally. This is due to the body’s own healing process, which varies from person to person. When an earring is no longer worn, the skin begins to close the channel created by the piercing, just as it would a wound.

The main reasons a piercing closes:

Time without jewelry: sometimes a few days are enough to cause partial closure, especially if the piercing is recent.
An earring removed too soon after piercing: full healing generally takes 6 to 8 weeks. Before then, the hole is very fragile.
Inflammation or infection: both speed up the healing process, encouraging the hole to close.
Unsuitable or poor-quality jewelry: some materials cause allergies or discomfort, prompting you to take the earring out.

To prevent this, choose 18k gold earrings and hypoallergenic materials from the start, like those offered by Laveran Paris. They are gentle on the skin and support healthy, lasting healing.

Signs that a piercing is starting to close

An ear piercing doesn’t close suddenly overnight. There are early warning signs that let you act in time and prevent it from closing completely.

Here are the signs to watch for:

Resistance when inserting the earring: if the post has trouble going through, even slightly, the channel may be starting to close.
A tender or painful lobe: sensitivity to the touch or mild pain can signal that healing is under way.
Skin partially covering the opening: the hole may look smaller or irregular.
Redness or slight swelling: these signs can accompany gradual closure, especially if the jewelry has been out for several days.

If you notice these symptoms, don’t wait. Acting quickly may be enough to keep the hole open without needing to have it re-pierced.

Our tips to keep an ear piercing from closing

The good news is that with a few simple habits, it is entirely possible to keep an ear piercing from closing. Here are our recommendations, drawn from Laveran Paris’s expertise:

Wear earrings regularly

The simplest way to keep an ear piercing open is… to wear earrings! Even after healing, it is best not to go more than a few days without jewelry, especially during the first year.

Choose comfortable, understated styles, such as our 18k gold studs set with lab-grown diamonds, perfect for extended wear without discomfort.

Use medical-grade or fine earrings

While maintaining the piercing, opt for earrings:

with a thin post, for easier insertion
made of precious metals such as 18k gold, which is hypoallergenic and gentle on the skin

Laveran Paris earrings meet these requirements, with a careful finish and a design made for everyday wear, even on sensitive lobes.

Clean the piercing and the jewelry regularly

Impeccable hygiene is essential to prevent infection and support healthy healing:

Use a gentle, alcohol-free cleanser or a saline solution
Clean your earrings before each wear
Dry your lobe thoroughly after showering

Gently rotate the earring in the lobe

Gently turning the post of the earring in the hole (when your piercer recommends it) can keep the skin from adhering to the jewelry and help keep the channel open.

Don’t remove the earring too soon after piercing

The first few weeks are the critical period:

Never remove your earrings during the first 6 to 8 weeks
Even after healing, stay attentive throughout the first year

If you must take your earrings out temporarily, be sure not to exceed 24 to 48 hours without jewelry.

What to do if the hole is almost closed

Despite your precautions, an ear piercing may start to close partially. Before considering a new piercing, a few gentle methods can help you reinsert an earring safely, as long as you proceed carefully.

Here is our advice if the hole has almost closed:

Soften and relax the lobe

Apply a warm compress or a washcloth soaked in lukewarm water for a few minutes to soften the skin.
Then gently massage the lobe to stimulate circulation and make the process easier.

Impeccable hygiene

Wash your hands thoroughly and disinfect the lobe area as well as the earring you plan to insert (ideally gold, with a fine point).

Gentle reinsertion

Stretch the lobe slightly with two fingers.
Slowly insert the post, without forcing, following the natural angle of the hole.
If the post meets significant resistance or the pain is sharp, stop immediately.

Never force it:

Forcing an earring through a nearly closed channel can cause tearing, infection or internal scarring. If in doubt, if it hurts, or if the hole has closed completely, see a professional piercer, who can advise you or offer a safe new piercing.

Our gold and lab-grown diamond earrings: ideal for keeping your piercing open, beautifully

At Laveran Paris, every piece is designed to combine refinement, comfort and durability. Our earrings are crafted in 18k gold and adorned with ethical lab-grown diamonds, making them perfectly suited to regular wear — even for sensitive ears.

Why choose our creations to keep your ear piercings open?

Thin, comfortable posts: for easy insertion, even through a fragile piercing
Hypoallergenic materials: no more risk of irritation or infection
Timeless designs: understated or sophisticated, so you never need to take them off
Ethical, traceable quality: each diamond is grown through a process that respects the environment and human rights

Our collections are designed to accompany women and men in their everyday lives, with jewelry that enhances without irritating, that lasts and that has meaning.

Discover our selection of earrings and let yourself be won over by the union of responsible luxury and absolute comfort.

Frequently asked questions – Ear piercings that close up

How quickly can an ear piercing close?
It varies from person to person. A recent piercing can start to close within 24 to 48 hours without jewelry, while an older piercing may stay open for several weeks or even months. Caution is still wise: it is best to wear earrings regularly, especially during the first year.

Can you re-pierce an ear in the same spot?
Yes, it is generally possible to re-pierce in the same place, but it depends on how the tissue has healed. If there is internal scarring or a sensitive lobe, it is best to consult a professional piercer beforehand.

Can an ear piercing close overnight?
Yes, in some cases — particularly with a recent or poorly healed piercing — the hole can partially or completely close in a single night without jewelry. That is why we recommend never removing your earrings too soon, even to sleep.

How can I keep my ear piercing from closing?
Wear comfortable earrings regularly, made of hypoallergenic materials such as 18k gold. Clean your jewelry and your lobes carefully, and avoid going more than 48 hours without earrings, especially in the year following your piercing.

Do gold earrings help keep the hole open?
Absolutely. 18k gold earrings, like those offered by Laveran Paris, are gentle on the skin, hypoallergenic and ideal for extended wear. They reduce the risk of irritation, support healthy healing and help keep the hole open.

Conclusion: Preserving the elegance and longevity of your piercings

An ear piercing that closes up is not inevitable; it is a natural phenomenon that you can prevent with simple habits and good hygiene. By adopting the right reflexes — wearing earrings regularly, cleaning them properly, choosing precious metals — you protect not only your piercing but also the beauty of your jewelry.

At Laveran Paris, we believe in modern, ethical fine jewelry that respects both the body and the environment. That is why our 18k gold and lab-grown diamond earrings are designed to offer optimal comfort while preserving the purity of your style.

Care for your piercings with elegance and responsibility.
Browse our collection of refined, long-lasting earrings