How to Downsize a Piercing Safely, Step-by-Step Tips

Downsizing a piercing simply calls for minimising a few jewellery pieces you are wearing. In some cases, it is only a shift from an initial larger size to a smaller, more comfortable piercing jewellery after the healing is complete.

This practice is most acceptable for a variety of piercings like cartilage, nose, lips, ear lobes and tongue piercing. People even move their ear expanders, plugs and tunnels from larger to smaller size with time. So, we can't say it's not an important part of anyone's piercing journey.  

Jewellery downsizing can be done for numerous reasons:

• You might want to shift from larger to smaller sizes.
• Your piercing gets infected.
• It is time you want to move to more simpler designs.

Why It's Important for Long-Term Comfort

After your initial piercing is healed, the big jewellery mostly starts to irritate. Downsizing allows the jewellery to fit more closely to the body, resulting in a more natural, snug fit. This is important for piercings that mostly move a lot, like your trendy silver nose hoops or a shiny tongue bar.

Sometimes, when body jewellery is too long, it starts to stress the piercing hole, which in severe cases turns into jewellery migration, bumps and scarring. Downsizing stops these issues and lessens the extra risks. Also, jewellery that fits too loosely can get caught on hair, clothing, or bedding.

In stretched piercings, a correctly sized ear tunnel or gauge maintains skin elasticity, encouraging a healthy, long-lasting stretch.

Signs it's Time to Downsize Your Piercing Jewellery

Excessive Movement: If your favourite piercing constantly moves and feels loosened upon touching, it might be too long.   

Bumps or Swelling: The formation of bumps around your piercing can signal that you need to downsize it. Either go for a small piercing jewellery or don't keep this particular piercing. It might not be suitable for your anatomy.   

Persistent Redness or Pain: Redness, pain, or discomfort that doesn’t go away after the initial healing phase could mean that your jewellery is putting too much pressure on the piercing.

Snagging on Clothes or Hair: Large or protruding jewellery that catches on clothing or hair often needs downsizing to prevent accidental pulls, which can damage the piercing.

Delayed Healing: If your piercing is taking much longer than usual to heal, larger jewellery might be the issue, as it can delay the process by moving around and irritating the tissue.

Changing Lifestyle Needs: Downsizing can also be helpful for ease and discretion in professional settings or sports, where smaller, snug jewellery is less likely to give you better comfort.

Step-by-Step Tips to Downsize Piercings

Here’s a quick guide to doing it right, with tips that apply to various jewellery styles like a floating belly ring, silver nose hoop rings, and curved barbells.

Choose the Right Size and Jewellery Type

Selecting the correct size is essential. For downsizing, choose a shorter bar or a snug fit if you’re switching from initial jewellery to something more streamlined, like hoops for nose or plugs tunnels. Consider high-quality materials like titanium, silver, or surgical steel for comfort and reduced risk of irritation.

Sanitise Everything

Keeping it clean is crucial. Wash your hands and sterilise any jewellery before inserting it. Most piercers use autoclaved tools, which are the safest option for a clean change.

Carefully Change the Jewellery

Let your piercer handle the jewellery switch if possible, especially if you’re trying a new style, such as a curved barbell or silver nose hoop rings. If you’re doing it at home, go slow, keep the area clean, and ensure you don’t force anything that might cause trauma.

Follow Up with Aftercare

Downsizing can be a bit of an adjustment, so keep up with aftercare. Use saline solution to clean the piercing regularly and monitor for any signs of irritation or sensitivity, especially if you’ve downsized to different jewellery like ear gauges or silver nose hoop rings.

There you have it: all the essential information to downsize your piercing. This winter, when you downsize your jewellery do not forget to follow essential winter piercing after tips to remove cracks and scarring. This will surely give you a better piercing experience.