Phases of Wound Healing

Phase 1 - Your piercing is super fresh at this phase and experiencing inflammation. Swelling, redness, tenderness, bruising and bleeding is totally normal in this healing phase. Your immune system has kicked in to protect you from infection. This is why we limit the amount of piercings you can get at one time. The more inflammation, the harder your immune system is working, the slower and more complicated the healing process.

Phase 2 - This phase is called proliferation. Your body is now starting to form the piercing channel or fistula, it is starting to heal itself and new cells are forming. You may notice some clear or white-ish fluid coming from the piercing site and drying to form “crusties”! The piercing site will be less inflamed, less red at this stage. Once your inflammation has settled it is important that you book in for a check up and downsize!

Phase 3 - Now comes the longest part of your healing, the maturing stage. The piercing site has formed but it’s still not fully stable! It can take several months to years for your body to fully complete this stage so patience is most definitely key.

It is very important to keep in mind that your piercing can fluctuate through these stages and it’s completely normal. Remember: your piercing will look and feel healed before it truly is!

A large gauge conch piercing in the maturing stage of healing. Any piercing in the maturing stage will look like this.