If you’ve just had a lobe piercing, it’s safest to wait until the piercing is fully healed before changing the jewelry. Healing times vary, but a careful rule of thumb is:
- Lobe piercings: typically 6–8 weeks before you can consider changing to a new earring, provided there is no redness, pain, swelling, or discharge. Some people heal more slowly, and others may need longer, up to several months in certain cases. If you notice any irritation, keep the starter jewelry in place and consult your piercer. Sources generally advise erring on the side of caution and not rushing the swap. [General guidance compiled from professional piercing advice and aftercare sources]
To maximize safety:
- Inspect the area: look for redness, swelling, warmth, or discharge. If present, delay changing jewelry.
- Use clean hands and sterile or properly cleaned jewelry when you do swap.
- If in doubt, contact your piercer for a personalized assessment based on your healing progress.
If you’d like, tell me roughly how many weeks it’s been since your piercing and whether you’ve had any redness or discharge, and I can tailor the general guidance to your situation.
