Downsizing Your Piercing Jewellery: What It Is, When to Do It & Why It Matters

You’ve had your new piercing, you love it, you’ve been following your aftercare…

Then you remember your piercer mentioned something about coming back for a downsize.

Downsizing is a really important part of the piercing healing journey, so here’s exactly what we mean when we ask you to come back.

What does downsizing a piercing mean?

When we initially pierce you, we usually use jewellery with a little extra length.

That extra room is there for a reason: swelling.

Your body has just had a piercing, so some initial swelling is completely normal. The longer jewellery gives your piercing the space it needs during those early stages.

As the swelling settles, however, you no longer need all that extra room.

A downsize appointment is when we assess your piercing and when it’s ready, replace the original longer jewellery with a shorter piece that fits more comfortably.

Why is downsizing so important?

Once the initial swelling has gone, jewellery that’s too long can move around more than we’d like.

That movement can mean more opportunities for the jewellery to snag on your hair, clothes, towels or headphones. It can also put unnecessary pressure on a healing piercing.

And irritation + a healing piercing = something we’d rather you avoid.

Getting your jewellery downsized at the right point can help keep your piercing comfortable and support a smoother healing journey.

When should I downsize my piercing?

There isn’t one magic date that applies to every piercing.

When you come in for your downsize, we'll assess your piercing based on placement, swelling and how your individual piercing is healing.

That last part is important.

Everyone heals differently, which is why we’d rather actually look at your piercing and if it isn't ready we'll tell you.

If it is, we'll downsize your piercing.

Simple.

What happens if I don't downsize my piercing?

Sometimes nothing immediately happens, which is why it’s an easy appointment to forget but leaving jewellery too long can mean unnecessary movement and repeated little knocks or snags.

That can lead to irritation and make your healing journey more difficult than it needs to be. So when your piercer says, “Come back and see us for your downsize,” we really do mean it.

Can I downsize my piercing myself?

We’d always recommend having your jewellery professionally assessed and downsized while your piercing is still healing.

It gives us an opportunity to look at how everything is progressing, check the fit and jewellery, and make sure your piercing is actually ready for the change.

It’s also the perfect opportunity for you to ask all those little questions you’ve thought of since your original appointment.

What happens at a downsize appointment?

It’s a really straightforward appointment.

We’ll check your piercing and how it’s healing, make sure it’s ready to be downsized and if it is change your jewellery to a smaller bar.

We can also talk through your aftercare and answer any questions or worries you may have.

Book your piercing downsize in Liverpool

Had your piercing at and realised you still haven't booked your downsize?

Get yourself booked in and let us have a little look in our studio.

We’ll take a look, talk you through everything and help you work out the best next step for your piercing.