Wearing earrings is a fun way to enhance or transform your appearance, but if you don't wear them often, the hole can start to heal and close. In some circumstances, it is necessary to turn to professionals to fix the problem, but you can also reopen the hole at home, as long as you sterilize everything you need, go slowly and take every precaution to avoid pain and possible infections. With careful preparation and a dose of patience, you can safely reopen the pierced ears and go back to wearing the earrings again.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Sterilization
Step 1. Soften the lobe skin
Before attempting to reopen the hole, you must make sure that the skin is soft, by placing a wet towel or taking a hot shower; in this way, it becomes easier to reopen the hole.
Step 2. Wash your hands and put on latex gloves
Wash them thoroughly with warm water and scrub them with antibacterial soap for 30 seconds to remove any residual dust, dirt and bacteria. Once rinsed and dried completely, put on a pair of latex or rubber gloves, so as not to risk introducing bacteria into the hole.
Step 3. Disinfect the earrings with isopropyl alcohol
You can find it in all supermarkets or pharmacies; it is a very powerful disinfectant capable of killing most of the bacteria, fungi and viruses that live on surfaces. Wet a cotton swab or cotton swab with alcohol and clean a pair of thin bar earrings. You need this type of earrings to open the holes; make sure they are sanitized and place them on an equally clean surface to dry them.
If you have any allergies, take care to use sterling silver or other hypoallergenic earrings to avoid possible reactions
Step 4. Clean the lobes
Use a new cotton swab or cotton swab to sterilize them with alcohol; be careful to disinfect both sides, front and back, focusing mainly on opening the hole.
Method 2 of 3: Manually Open the Hole
Step 1. Feel the back side of the lobe
You should feel a small bump where the hole was; this knot is made up of dead skin cells that clog the hole as it attempts to heal.
If it seems to have healed completely, you need to go to a professional to make new holes. Keep in mind that complete healing times vary from person to person; it may take several years without wearing the earrings and still be able to reopen the holes at home, while sometimes the holes can close completely after a few months
Step 2. Lubricate the lobes
Rub a generous amount of petroleum jelly or some other antibiotic ointment on the skin to be treated to lubricate it and reduce friction. Carefully rub the product on the lobes using your fingers; the extra heat generated by the hands helps to soften the skin.
Step 3. Stretch the hole a little
Using your fingers, grab the two sides of the lobe and pull it a little in opposite directions; in this way, you favor a slight opening of the hole and allow the lubricant to partially enter it; But be careful not to rub or pull too hard on the earlobe.
Step 4. Cover the now sterilized earrings with a lubricant
You have to add a thin layer of petroleum jelly or antibiotic ointment also on the rods of the earrings; if possible, avoid applying the product to the front of the jewelry, in order to maintain a firm grip.
Check that these are really thin stem earrings; if it is too thick it will not be able to pass through the slightly closed hole and, if you try to insert it, you may cause pain, scarring or even bleeding
Step 5. Insert the earring into the hole
Look in the mirror as you go and with one hand slowly slip the earring from the front, while with your free hand you grab the earlobe. Press your thumb lightly on the back side, where the lump of dead skin cells is.
Step 6. Slightly wave the earring as you open the hole
Proceed gently, it may take several minutes before you find the correct angle that allows you to cross the lobe. Keep your thumb on the back side, so you can feel the tip of the earring rod.
If you feel discomfort or pain, numb the earlobe with ice for a few minutes before making another attempt. if you continue to feel pain or discomfort, you need to see a professional
Step 7. Rotate the earring to reopen the hole
Once you have found the right angle and have managed to put the jewel on, turn it during insertion, taking care not to exert too much pressure; as the hole is partially open and the rod of the earring is well lubricated, you shouldn't feel much resistance.
If you can't get it through the earlobe, stop and try inserting it at a different angle
Step 8. Push the jewel completely into the lobe
After twisting it a bit to reopen the hole, gently push it to its full length and secure it on the back with the butterfly clip.
Do not push or force the earring, as this could cause infection and scarring
Step 9. Prevent the risk of infection after inserting the earring
Once the hole is reopened, wash your earlobe with warm water and antibacterial soap to avoid any complications. It is important not to touch the ears during the healing period so as not to contaminate the wound with bacteria; do not use hair products and powder cosmetics for a few days, to make sure the earlobes stay clean.
Step 10. Seek the help of a professional
Reopening holes without proper care and sterilized instruments can cause bleeding, infection and nerve damage; if you feel pain or fail to do so, do not insist. Consult a doctor, professional piercer, or jeweler to safely open holes in a sterile environment and with the help of qualified personnel.
Method 3 of 3: Taking Care of Holes
Step 1. Keep the earrings in the holes for several weeks
After reopening the earlobes, make sure you don't remove the small jewelry for at least six weeks, or the holes may heal again.
Step 2. Clean your ears with soap and water
Establish a hygiene routine to follow every morning or evening. Use an antibacterial soap to wash your hands and then sanitize your earlobes with warm soapy water once a day. in this way, you keep the skin clean and avoid infections.
You can also ward off the risk of scabs by scrubbing the area twice a day with isopropyl alcohol. in this case, use a cotton swab or cotton swab and apply the liquid around the holes
Step 3. Rotate them every day
Make sure your hands are clean and twist the earrings into the holes; repeat this movement every day to prevent the holes from closing again.
