One of the most common questions we get asked after performing piercings is “how am I supposed to sleep?”
 
Sleeping directly on a new piercing can cause irritation and can even shift the direction or angle of the piercing. That’s why it’s crucial that you avoid sleeping on a freshly-pierced ear, especially if the piercing is in any cartilage.

We’re here to help! Rest easy with these tips & tricks for sleeping with a new piercing.

1. Sleep on your back

Perhaps the most obvious solution to avoid sleeping on your new piercing - sleep on your back! But, if you’re a tried and true side sleeper, use a piercing pillow to protect the new piercing.

Pro Tip: Slip a clean pillow case or t-shirt over your piercing pillow and sleep on each side of the pillow just once in between changes to prevent additional bacteria from entering the site. 

2. Keep your hair away from your piercing

If you have long hair, make sure you sleep with it pulled back away from the ear to avoid unpleasant snags and tangles. Braids work well for this.

3. Use a smooth pillowcase

After several weeks to months (because everybody heals differently), once you’re able to sleep on your piercing without feeling pain, use a smooth pillowcase to reduce the potential for snagging your piercing at night. Pillowcase should be changed more frequently while piercings are healing to prevent skin cells, oils, and make-up from irritating your piercing - every two days, sleeping on each side just once, works best.

4. Move with caution

When brushing or styling your hair, move slowly so as not to catch your piercing. If you are due for a trip to the salon, let them know you have a healing piercing so they know to be extra careful (don’t worry, they’re used to it!)

5. Spray aftercare before you go to sleep (and when you wake up!)

Use our Advanced Aftercare Solution to keep the piercing clean before you go to sleep and after you wake up. This will help to avoid any potential infection caused by tossing and turning during the night.