FAQ

At HOFMAN Piercing & Fine Jewelry we go beyond the national GGD guidelines regarding age requirements. First lobe piercings require an age of at least 6 years old. Most other piercings require a minimum age of 12, with the exception of lip, tongue, nipple and genital piercings. Lip and tongue piercings require an age of 16, and nipple or genital piercings require an age of 18.

Remember: you need a valid ID every time you get a new piercing. If you are under 16, you must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian with valid ID.

It is often possible to pierce again in the same place, but the tissue must be sufficiently healed. When you lose or remove a piece of jewellery, a piercing may close. To re-pierce in the same place, it is wise to wait at least three months from the moment you remove the jewellery. The wound itself is often closed much earlier, but it takes time for the underlying tissue to recover.

After three months, have the area checked by your piercer first. Exactly how long full healing takes depends on many factors such as how old the piercing was, how quickly you heal, and how much rest it received during healing. Re-piercing too soon can cause complications and often heals less well. Tell your piercer how long it has been since removal and have them assess the location. If your piercer advises you to wait, follow that advice.

If you do not want to be pierced exactly in the old place but within about 5 mm of the old hole, it is also wise to wait the full three months and then have it checked. If you want your new piercing further away, it might not be necessary to wait the entire three months — discuss your wishes with your piercer so they can advise what is possible.

Piercings often require specific anatomy. Your body must have the correct shape and/or size for that particular piercing to be placed correctly. A professional piercer always starts with a check to see if the desired piercing is possible for you, and then presents you with the options.

Sometimes a specific piercing can’t be placed or only one piercing can be placed instead of multiple piercings in a row. Only the piercer can assess whether you have the correct anatomy for the piercing(s) you want. It is necessary to visit a studio to have the place of the piercing assessed. If you have specific wishes but are unsure about your anatomy, you can make a consultation appointment with most piercers.

Removing jewellery to clean it is generally a bad idea — it can cause irritation, introduce bacteria, hinder healing, and the piercing may close making reinsertion difficult. Leave the jewellery in place and clean around it with sterile saline. If you have concerns, contact your piercer.

In all cases: leave it alone unless instructed otherwise by a professional.

Do not remove jewellery during healing without consulting your piercer. Removing jewellery during infection can trap pus and worsen the condition, potentially causing an abscess. Jewellery keeps the wound open for drainage; removing it can lock the infection inside.

If you wish to remove jewellery for other reasons (irritation or no longer wanting the piercing), consult your piercer; they can often resolve the issue or remove the piece hygienically. For infections, contact your doctor immediately.

Sleeping on a healing piercing causes pressure and friction that can produce irritation, pain, extra swelling, bumps, and even infection. Cartilage piercings are especially vulnerable due to longer healing times and less forgiving tissue.

Practical tips: sleep on the opposite side, secure hair with a clip, make a ponytail or bun on the pierced side so you roll away, or use a donut/neck pillow to avoid pressure on the pierced area.

Try different methods to find what works for you; the key is to avoid sleeping on the piercing while it heals.

A piercing should be placed at an angle relative to the tissue that allows uncomplicated healing. Sometimes what looks crooked is actually correct for the tissue curve. Swelling during healing can also give a distorted appearance.

If you suspect crooked placement, ask your piercer or seek a second opinion as soon as possible. If swelling is present, wait until it settles to be sure. A piercing pierced crooked will not straighten later; in that case removal and re‑piercing may be necessary.

Sleeping on a healing piercing and wearing the long initial bar can promote crooked growth — downsize in time to reduce leverage and pressure.

A bump is a common but unwelcome complication. Types of bumps include irritation bumps, hypertrophic scars, granulomas, or keloids. Often it’s an irritation bump that can be treated, but sometimes removal is the best option. Consult your piercer so they can assess the cause and recommend treatment.

If the angle or placement is incorrect, or the irritation continues because the cause is still present, the bump will persist. In some cases only a doctor can help, and sometimes removal is necessary.

What you can do yourself:

• Leave the piercing alone — touching is the number one cause of slow healing and bumps.
• Avoid pressure or friction (tight clothing, headphones, helmets).
• Clean gently with sterile saline solution (don’t make your own saline; buy a sterile product from a studio or pharmacy).
• Do not use harsh chemicals (alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, sterilon) — these damage delicate tissue.
• Do not scrape off crusts; soak them with saline and gently wipe away with gauze or a paper towel.
• Use properly fitting, high‑quality jewellery with a smooth finish — replace poor‑quality or damaged pieces only with professional help.

Avoid risky home remedies; follow your piercer’s guidance and contact them if the bump persists.

Healing time varies by location and person. See the dedicated "Average healing times" section later in this FAQ for typical ranges (e.g. earlobe, cartilage, oral, nipple, genital). If unsure, always check with your piercer before changing jewellery.

Your piercer will give an indication of the expected healing time. When you can safely change jewellery depends on the piercing location, piercing method, jewellery quality, aftercare, and your individual healing speed. A piercing is considered healed when swelling, redness and sensitivity have disappeared and no crusts form for at least a month.

As a rule, it is better to wait a bit longer than to change the jewellery too early. Some piercings require downsizing the bar after initial swelling subsides — your piercer will advise and may ask you to return for a check-up. When changing jewellery, always use sterile, high‑quality jewellery provided by a professional.

Note: for an indication of typical timelines, see the “Average healing times” section below.

No — do not turn the jewellery while it is healing. Rotating or twisting the jewellery pulls off crusts and reopens the wound, transfers bacteria from your hands to the piercing, and can cause irritation and bumps.

Piercing jewellery has a smooth finish; it does not allow tissue to "grow into" it. Micro‑scratches can still irritate the wound. As an experienced piercer’s advice: leave it alone and avoid touching or turning the jewellery.

Only a doctor can determine whether your piercing is infected. Intense sensitivity, increasing swelling, redness, or moisture draining from the piercing can indicate an infection. Early healing often includes mild redness and sensitivity, so monitor how symptoms evolve. If they worsen or you experience constant pain (without a known trauma), contact your piercer or doctor immediately.

Contact your doctor urgently if you experience any of the following: fever, nausea or vomiting; redness and swelling that extends well beyond the site (about 1.5 cm or more); the area feels warm; pus draining from the piercing.