When is it “Safe” to put a ring in your piercing?

 Tight little “huggy” hoops are in fashion these days and many people love the look of hoops in a piercing. Generally we don’t recommend them for fresh piercings. That’s not to say it’s not impossible or that some piercings aren’t usually pierced with a hoop based on location, but there are several reasons why it’s best to wait before you put a ring on it. 

Well fitted hoops leave very little room around your tissue. The reason for this is that we don’t want them to move too much or catch which can irritate the piercing or cause it to rip out. If that tissue is still healing there’s a good chance you’re still having sporadic swelling which can cause it to rip or migrate but can also make it more likely that the pressure of the ring being too tight is going to give you an irritation bump. This is especially visible on nose piercings as gravity causes the hoop to push on the lower lip of the hole and push up on the inside of the channel. 

Image courtesy of LynnLoheide Piercing

A hoop will also constantly spin in your piercing even if you’re not actively messing with it. This constant motion can affect your healing and even make it take longer. 

Healing with a stud for the initial few months allows you to be fitted properly with a ring so that you don’t have to downsize twice. It is also more comfortable and reduces your risk of getting irritation bump on your piercings. 

Which piercings Need Rings?

The Daith, Septum, and many Genital piercings are usually done with curved barbels or hoops. The unique anatomy needs of these locations mean that choosing hoops is more comfortable or less likely to cause issues. These are an exception purely for anatomy reasons and not areas that other jewelry shapes can fit for best healing. Most of these piercings are pierced at a larger gauge which means the jewelry is more stable but this is piercer choice and anatomy specific. 

It isn’t impossible to heal other piercings with hoops, just more difficult, and as piercers we choose what is best for the majority. 

What Size Hoop for My Piercing?

If your initial piercing is done with a hoop then you need it to be larger to allow for swelling, thicker to help spread the pressure of the edge of the ring on the bottom of the channel, and that it’s going to be easer to catch so you’ll need to be extra careful. Your piercer will size accordingly, but be prepared for something oversized that doesn’t necessarily suit your preference while it’s healing. 


We do our best to accommodate your desire for a ring, but if your piercer says no it’s best to listen. We’re not doing it to be mean but because we have the best interests for your piercing at heart. 

Ready for that new piercing or looking to get that hoop in your healed one? We’d love to help you. Come check out our jewelry selection in studio or shoot us a message. 


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