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Body Piercing Healing Times

Topic Overview

General healing times for piercing sites

Each body piercing site has its own normal healing time. Common piercing sites usually heal within the general time frames listed below. Healing depends on many things, including how big the piercing is, how thick the tissue is at the site, and your ability to heal.

Piercing site healing times
Piercing site Healing time

Ear cartilage (curve of ear)

2 to 4 months

Nostril (nose)

4 to 6 months

Face (this includes the earlobes, eyebrows, and lips)

6 to 8 weeks

Inside of the mouth or the tongue

3 to 6 weeks

Nipple

3 to 6 months

Vagina or penis

2 to 6 months

Belly button (navel)

Up to 6 months

A piercing may not heal as fast if it gets infected or irritated or if scar tissue forms. You may need to see your doctor if your piercing does not seem to be healing.

Related Information

Credits

By Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine
Last Revised May 3, 2012

Last Revised: May 3, 2012

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine & H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine

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