Do ear piercings ever heal?

Question

I mean, are pierced ears permanent or does the hole eventually close up after not having the earring in for so long?

Answer 1

I haven't worn earrings in over 20 years, typical I get my ears pierced then find out I'm allergic 2 all metals.
I'm still waiting 4 them 2 heal, so I'd say no, they never heal!

Answer 2

They do completely close, if given enough time. So far, I've had my ears pierced 7 times, plus a tongue piercing.

My first time had to heal completely, since I tore my earring out (I was really too young to have gotten them pierced then). When completely closed, there was no trace of a piercing at all.

My second set (repiercing the area where the originals once were) have 'healed', but have never come close to closing. I got them pierced about 20 years ago, and have rarely worn earrings (in the past, only if it was a special occasion, like performing at a concert... I've only begun to wear them consistantly recently). In that set of piercings, I can go years without wearing earrings, and then one day, put them in again without any problems.

My third set nearly completely closes if I fail to wear earrings in them for a week (not completely... but it is a severe pain trying to get them back in). I have to almost repierce my right ear hole with the earring itself to get it in. Though, with these as well, I can go years without wearing earrings, and the piercings will still be there (almost completely closed on my right ear, a little snug on my left).

My 7th hole is a 3 month old cartiliage (helix) piercing, and from what I've heard, it can close up in a matter of minutes of not having an earring in it. I haven't tested that yet, and really have no plans on it... at least, not until several years pass, and I'm fairly assured that taking it out, and leaving it out, won't cause me any problems.

My tongue piercing (also 3 months old, and fully healed), however, closes while I remove the piercing (the bottom of my tongue scarred a little more than it should have). I have to fight to get my bar back in after swapping it from my other one. I have yet to go any longer than 10 minutes without a bar in (and those ten minutes are solely due to fighting with my tongue).

Answer 3

Some do, some just don't. I think maybe some are just too close to a nerve or capillary or something. I used to have triple holes in the lobe, but my third holes I guess were rubbing up against where it turns to cartilage or someting and just never healed right. I used to have 7 holes in my left ear, but the one that was in the middle (cartilage) just never healed right and I actually had to have the scar treated with a laser. However I have 2 holes on the outer part of my ear (cartilage) that are totally healed, not to mention my 4 lobe piercings, and my tragus. I also had the little conch part on the top of my ear (also cartilage) and that still gives me trouble from time to time... and I've had that for like 10 years! I think it just depends on whether your body likes the location of the piercing or not. If it doesn't I suggest you let that hole close up and try again in a different spot nearby.

Answer 4

It depends how long you've had the piercing, but yes, they will close over if you never wear earrings again.
The lobes tend to take longer then the cartilage ( top of ear ) to close up. I've had a piercing in the top of my ear for 6 years and if I were to not wear an earring in there it would start to heal over in about a week. The lobes will take much longer.
Cartilage never stops growing, ever notice how old guys seems to have large ears and noses?, that's because it's mostly cartilage not bone and it keeps growing your entire life. Weird huh?

Answer 5

Yes- they do heal and close.

I wouldn't recommend putting an earring in there after like a year though or getting another piercing in the same area again- OUCH!!!

Answer 6

I don't think so. I got a couple when I was about 17 years old, stopped wearing them when I was 18 or so, I'm now 34 and I could put an earring in if I wanted to.

Answer 7

Ear piercings do heal and can close if there are no earings in place. If the holes are fairly recent. But once holes are established; the holes wouldn't close.

Answer 8

Yes they will close up after not having them in for a while especially if they are new piercing and if they are on places besides your ear.

Answer 9

my mom had mine pierced when i was a baby and i stopped wearing studs when i was around 9. i can go years without wearing earrings but they never heal up.

Answer 10

I have had my 2nd holes done 20 years , stopped wearing them 6 years ago and fineally I can't get an earring in. It takes time.