Everything you need to know about flat piercing healing
Would you like a flat piercing but worry that it might take too long to heal? Is your piercing taking a while to heal?
You've come to the right place! At Solstice, ear piercings are our passion, and this is a subject we know well.
A flat piercing sits in the flat upper area of cartilage. Discreet and distinctive, we love this less common piercing for the individuality it brings to your look. It can heal well with appropriate care, although healing varies from person to person.
In this article, you will learn:
- How to support your flat piercing as it heals
- What to expect while this piercing heals
Let's get started!
What should you expect while a flat piercing heals?
Located in the upper part of the ear, the flat piercing takes its name from the flat shape of the cartilage in this area. It sits below the helix and above the rook. Less common than some other placements, this piercing can be a lovely addition to your ear stack.
Because a flat piercing passes through cartilage, healing can take time and varies from person to person. Good aftercare helps support healing and reduce irritation. We will look at this in more detail in the next section.
What happens as a flat ear piercing heals?Â
Some tenderness, swelling or redness can happen after a piercing, and irritation may occur during healing. Changes in how it looks can come and go, so appearance alone does not confirm that it has fully healed.
Once your piercer has confirmed complete healing, you can choose a more decorative design, such as a stone-set stud or a moon, star or flower motif. Our catalogue jewellery is for healed piercings. Layering jewellery around the flat is a popular styling choice, so explore different styles and add some volume!
Do not remove your flat piercing jewellery before healing is complete! Even if it looks settled, ask a professional piercer to assess whether it is ready for a jewellery change. Our catalogue jewellery is not intended for an unhealed piercing.
This account of a flat piercing puts healing in the context of its placement and the contact this area of the ear may experience.
How can you support cartilage healing?
Follow appropriate aftercare advice to support your flat piercing as it heals. Neglecting daily cleaning may interfere with healing.
Use a sterile 0.9 % saline solution intended for wounds and a clean gauze pad for aftercare. Avoid homemade salt solutions, in line with the APP's aftercare recommendations.Â
This can help keep the area clean as part of appropriate aftercare. It does not sterilise the wound or guarantee faster healing.
Take care to avoid snagging, which can cause irritation. Avoid pressure on the piercing, avoid swimming while it heals, and wash and dry your hands thoroughly if you need to touch the area.
To expand on this advice about snagging, this TikTok explains why it is best to avoid securing your piercing with adhesive tape.
Do not add essential oils or antiseptics to speed up healing unless medically advised. If the wound remains irritated, have your aftercare routine and jewellery checked.Â
If pain, redness or swelling concern you, seek prompt medical advice. Irritation and infection can look similar, and any persistent bump should be assessed rather than self-diagnosed.
Seek medical advice promptly if you think your piercing may be infected. Do not remove the jewellery unless a doctor tells you to.