You should wait at least 2 to 4 weeks, but ideally 2 to 6 months, to swim after a nose piercing, as full healing takes 4-6 months, and submerging in pools, lakes, or oceans risks infection from microbes and irritants like chlorine. If you must swim sooner, cover the piercing with a waterproof bandage and clean it thoroughly with sterile saline immediately after.
The general advice is to wait until it's fully healed, for nostrils that's six months. If swimming is really unavoidable you should still wait at least two months before doing so.
Nope. Chlorine itself is very harsh, and if you recall your last pool trip it clings to everything once you are in the water, including your jewelry. Chemicals aren't good for healing piercing, and chlorine is downright awful for them.
We recommend to avoid swimming for the first two weeks after a piercing. If you must swim, we recommend covering your piercing with a waterproof Band-Aid. Always spray with Sterilear Step 1: Clean after swimming and removing the Band-Aid. Spray sparingly, and rinse after use.
Swimming in pools, oceans, or lakes too soon, especially without protection, can introduce bacteria, delay healing, and lead to painful complications. With careful planning, waterproof protection, and proper hygiene, you don't have to choose between beautiful ear piercings and a love of the water.
Here are a few suggestions:
The "3-2 piercing rule" is a popular guideline for creating a balanced ear piercing arrangement, suggesting three piercings on the lobe and two on the upper cartilage for a harmonious, curated look, or applying a 2:3 ratio of piercings to space for overall balance, often pairing small studs with statement pieces for a chic, "undone" style that avoids overcrowding and emphasizes personal anatomy.
As a general rule of thumb, it's best to wait until your piercing has fully healed before swimming. For most earlobe piercings, this typically takes around six to eight weeks. However, cartilage piercings may require a longer healing time, often up to several months.
Chlorine, a common disinfectant in pools, can dry out the piercing and irritate the surrounding tissue. Opt for saltwater over chlorinated pools, or limit pool time. If you do swim in a chlorinated pool, rinse your piercing thoroughly with clean water immediately afterward.
And swimming can increase your risk of developing infections after a piercing. It's best to avoid swimming until your piercing is fully healed, which can take a few weeks or a few months.
While some water is treated, such as saline or chlorine pools, these are still not safe for submerging a new piercing. There are still bacteria present in those conditions, and the chemicals themselves can do damage to the cells attempting to form.
Apply waterproof bandages for piercings any time you plan to get wet. Ensure the bandage is firmly sealed around the piercing to prevent water from getting in. After swimming or showering, remove the bandage right away and rinse the area with saline solution to keep it clean.
Swimming or submerging your piercing in any body of water should wait until it's fully healed because any body of water, including baths, pose a serious infection risk. If it's completely unavoidable you should still wait at least two months before doing so.
If you cannot see the bottom of a pool or hot tub, do not enter. If your eyes burn or you have any respiratory reaction (coughing, difficulty breathing, burning sensation) do no enter. If you smell chlorine, but none of the above issues apply, the water should be safe to enter.
A nose piercing typically ranks around a 4-7 out of 10 on the pain scale, varying by person and location; nostril piercings are often a quick, sharp pinch (around 4-6/10), while septum piercings can feel intense but brief (around 6-7/10), especially if the cartilage is thick, though it's generally considered manageable and quick to heal.
The top five most painful piercings often cited include the Industrial, Rook, Snug, Industrial, and sometimes genital piercings or dermal piercings, with ear cartilage piercings (especially those through thick cartilage like the Snug or Rook) frequently ranking high due to nerve endings and thickness, while genital piercings are considered extremely painful by many. Pain is subjective, but cartilage piercings like the Rook, Industrial, and Snug are consistently ranked high, sometimes reaching a 9/10 on pain scales.
Our guidelines recommend that you are healing no more than 3-4 piercings at one time.
You can purchase a water-resistant bandage to cover your piercing during swimming activities. If you're worried about a bandage falling off, opt for a swimming cap or waterproof band that covers the ears. Whatever you choose, make sure your ear piercing is completely covered so that water does not get inside.
Swimming in chlorinated pools may dry out the piercing and cause irritation. Swimming in the ocean introduces foreign microorganisms and sediment (dirt and debris) to your healing piercing (which is essentially an open wound). Please wait 4-5 months before swimming in a pool or the ocean.
💕 Chemicals like chlorine and bromine can irritate the piercing and slow down healing. To keep your piercing safe, we recommend avoiding submerging it in water for 4-6 weeks after getting pierced. This includes pools, hot tubs, lakes, and oceans!
You really want to wait closer to 2 months before swimming. Nostrils take upwards of 6 months to heal. Sharing a body of water at 3 weeks is real risky.
If you cannot see the bottom of a pool or hot tub, do not enter. If your eyes burn or you have any respiratory reaction (coughing, difficulty breathing, burning sensation) do no enter. If you smell chlorine, but none of the above issues apply, the water should be safe to enter.
How to Care for Your Nose Piercing
The "3-2 piercing rule" is a popular guideline for creating a balanced ear piercing arrangement, suggesting three piercings on the lobe and two on the upper cartilage for a harmonious, curated look, or applying a 2:3 ratio of piercings to space for overall balance, often pairing small studs with statement pieces for a chic, "undone" style that avoids overcrowding and emphasizes personal anatomy.