How to Repierce a Closed Ear Piercing

Pierced ears can close up partially or completely for several reasons. You may have removed your earrings too soon, gone too long without wearing earrings, or experienced an infection from the initial piercing. It is possible to re-pierce your ears on your own, but you should seek the help of a professional if possible. Improper piercing can lead to infection and other problems. If you do decide to re-pierce your ears, you should prepare your ears, carefully re-pierce them with a needle, and then take proper care of them in the following months.

Opening an Old Ear Piercing

Use firm pressure to try to insert a sharp, disinfected earring. If that doesn't work without pain, disinfect a piercing needle. Place a potato behind your ear and use the piercing needle to open the hole from the front, or consult a professional piercer.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Re-Piercing Your Own Ears

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1
Try to open the hole again without re-piercing it. Check your initial piercing to see if you can open the holes without the use of a needle. If the holes seem to be partially opened, try to work your earrings through your ears. First, cover the earrings in a layer of Vaseline. Then, stand in front of a mirror and gently try to twist them into the holes. If this doesn’t work, you can move on to re-piercing your ears.
- Rubbing your ears before trying to insert the earrings can help to open up the holes. Don’t rub hard enough to cause injury, though.
- Make sure to wash your hands and disinfect the earrings before attempting this.
Unwashed hands can transfer bacteria that causes infection. Wash your hands with an antibacterial soap in warm water. Then, dry your hands with a clean towel. Finish the cleaning process with a hand sanitizer to be as germ-free as possible.

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3
Disinfect the needle and earrings. Any type of thin needle or pin will work to re-pierce your ears. You will, however, have to disinfect the needle whether it is new or has been used before. Soak a cotton ball in rubbing alcohol, and rub the entire needle with that cotton ball. Then, take a new cotton ball, soak it in the rubbing alcohol, and disinfect the entire surface of the earrings.
- A new needle that has never been used before is ideal.
- A needle that hasn’t been disinfected will likely cause infection.
4
Use a skin numbing gel on your ears. It is commonly thought that ice will numb the pain during a piercing, but this is not true. The ice will cause extra texture and abrasions, which makes the piercing more difficult. Instead, use a skin numbing gel on your ears. Layer on the gel 30 to 60 minutes before piercing your ears. ^{[1]
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- You can find a skin numbing gel online or at a pharmacy.
- If you don’t have a skin numbing gel, you can use a tooth pain gel.
5
Find the location of the initial piercing. You may have already done this when you checked out the condition of the initial piercings. If not, look in the mirror and find the exact locations of the initial piercings. The piercings may have closed up to the point that they can’t be located. If that’s the case, locate where you would like the new piercings to be. Use a marker to indicate where you will need to do the piercing.
- You can also use a marker to indicate the piercing spot even if the initial piercing locations can be seen.
- Use a mirror to make sure the piercings will be symmetrical.
6
Place a potato behind your ears. You will need to use a potato that has been washed. The potato will protect your neck and reduce the force of the needle during the piercing. When you are ready, hold the potato with your free hand behind the first ear that you plan to pierce. ^{[2]
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- If you don’t have a potato, you can use a similar food or an object like a Nerf Ball.
First, hold the needle to the exact location where you plan to pierce. Then, begin to slide the needle through your first ear. Hold the needle at an angle and wiggle it slightly to help it slide through your ear. Continue until the needle has gone all the way through your ear. ^{[3]
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Remove the potato and replace it with a large ice cube. Hold the ice cube to the back of your ear for five minutes. It will help reduce the pain. The needle should still be in your ear during this time.
9
Thread the earring through the hole. After you’ve removed the ice from your ear, pick up an earring. Slowly begin to pull the needle out of your ear. As you do this, thread the earring through the hole. Push it through the hole until the post of the earring has gone all the way through. Secure the back of the earring so that it does not come off. ^{[4]
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- It is better to use studs for earrings when you re-pierce your ears. They are lighter, less likely to fall out, and will not get in the way since you have to wear them 24/7 for the first few months.
Inspect the first ear to make sure that the re-piercing was successful. You will probably experience some discomfort, but you shouldn’t be experiencing a lot of bleeding or pain. If you feel that the first piercing was okay, repeat the process with the second ear. ^{[5]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Going to a Professional Piercer

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1
Search for a reputable piercing center. There are plenty of options out there for re-piercing your ears, but it is best to do some research before making a choice. Malls are often the cheapest option, but usually not the best choice. This is because the piercers are not always trained well, and piercing guns are used. Instead, go to a piercing center or tattoo parlor that does piercings. ^{[6]
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- Piercing guns aren’t good for piercings because the impact can be too much on the ear, and they can’t truly be sterilized.
- Ask family and friends for recommendations. You can also search online for reputable centers.
2
Visit the piercing location to talk with the piercer. Ask the piercer about their experience and training. The piercer should be APP qualified, and it’s a bonus if they have a First Aid/CPR certification. See what equipment they use and how they sterilize their tools. While you’re there, take note of the cleanliness of the location. ^{[7]
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- You can also ask to look at the piercer’s portfolio.
- If you can see others having their ear pierced, watch how the procedure is done.
Some locations may be able to take you as a walk-in right away, but you might have to make an appointment if there isn’t availability. If that’s the case, make an appointment for a time that is suitable for you. Make a note of the appointment in your calendar so that you don’t forget. ^{[8]
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4
Choose earrings for your reopened piercing. Typically, you will purchase earrings from the location. Look for a pair of studs that are made out of hypoallergenic metal—14KT gold is ideal. Make sure the earrings you choose have been fully-encapsulated in a package and haven’t been exposed to air before being removed for piercing. ^{[9]
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- Medical Grade Stainless Steel and 24KT gold plating are other options for metal.
- Go for Medical Grade Titanium if you have an allergy to nickel.
There is some basic aftercare advice to follow, but your piercer will typically give you instructions of their own. Tell your piercer if you have specific concerns about ear sensitivity or if you were prone to infections in the past. Your piercer will be able to give you instructions and advice that is personalized for you. ^{[10]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Caring for Your Ears

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1
Clean your ears twice a day. You will need to clean your ears at least twice a day after the re-piercing. Ideally, you should use a saline solution that is specifically made to clean pierced ears. If you don’t have a saline solution, you can use rubbing alcohol. Apply the solution to a cotton ball or swab and rub it over the front and back of the piercing. ^{[11]
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- Your re-piercing will likely be unsuccessful if you don’t take care of your ears after it has been done.
- A saline solution is usually given to you by a professional after a piercing. You can ask a professional if it’s possible to purchase the solution without having a piercing done.
- Rubbing alcohol may sting a little bit when applied to the piercing.
2
Leave your earrings in for 6 to 8 weeks. A common reason for piercings closing up is because the earrings have been taken out too soon. Leave your earrings in for at least 6 to 8 weeks. After that, you can choose to wear another pair of earrings. ^{[12]
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- You can leave in the earrings for longer than 6 to 8 weeks.
Make sure to immediately put in another pair of earrings after you’ve removed the first pair. New holes will close quickly without earrings to keep them open. Consistently wear earrings for about a year after the re-piercing. ^{[13]
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4
Cover your pierced ears when you shower or swim. Protecting your ears from water, shampoo, and conditioner will help to prevent infection. Use a shower cap when you are taking a shower for the first few months. When you do need to shampoo and condition your hair, do your best not to get product on your ears, and thoroughly rinse the product out of your hair. If you go swimming, use a swimming cap. ^{[14]
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- You should also try to avoid using hair products, like gel and hairspray, for the first 6 to 8 weeks after re-piercing your ears.
- Make sure to only go swimming after the piercing is completely healed.

Expert Q&A

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Question

What should a healed piercing look like?

David Wilkins
Professional Body Piercer
David Wilkins is a Professional Body Piercer and the Owner of The Axiom Body Piercing Studio in Des Moines, Iowa. David has been working in the industry since 1994 and is knowledgeable about all aspects of the body piercing industry. He runs an educational YouTube channel specializing in sharing expert body piercings and tattoo information. He completed his apprenticeship in body piercing in Omaha, Nebraska.

David Wilkins

Professional Body Piercer

Expert Answer

The body will stop producing limp discharge, which is what hardens across on the jewelry. The crusties, which they're often referred to, will slow down or completely end. Also, the piercing holes will begin to grow, meaning that once that tissue connects in the center, the holes kind of pull inward. It'll have more of a rounded edge to it in much the same way that every orifice on your body has a rounded edge.

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Is numbing necessary for re-piercing? Can I instead just bear through the pain?

Ruby

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If you want to. Some people have a lower pain tolerance than others, so numbing is recommended in this case.

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Tips

Try to avoid wearing cheap earrings if possible—especially after you’ve just re-pierced your ears. Cheap earrings can lead to infection. 14k yellow gold earrings are recommended during the first year of your new piercings. ^{[15]
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If you have long hair, it’s recommended to wear it in a ponytail or bun for at least a month after your re-piercing. This will prevent bacteria from being transferred from your hair to the piercings, and it will keep your hair from getting stuck in the earrings. ^{[16]
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Avoid touching your piercings during the day. Touching your ears when it’s necessary can transfer bacteria to the ears.

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Warnings

Go see a doctor immediately if you experience infection or pain after re-piercing your ears. ^{[17]
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Things You’ll Need

Antibacterial soap
Skin numbing gel
Cotton balls
Rubbing alcohol
Needle
Earrings
Potato
Ice cube
Disinfectant (saline solution)
Shower cap

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How to Repierce a Closed Ear Piercing

Opening an Old Ear Piercing

Steps

Re-Piercing Your Own Ears

Going to a Professional Piercer

Caring for Your Ears

Expert Q&A

Reader Videos

Tips

Warnings

Things You’ll Need

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