“Should I get my piercing in winter or wait for summer?” is one of the questions we hear most often at the studio. The answer is not a single season; it depends on where you are getting pierced, your daily life and the plans ahead of you. In this guide we go through the pros and cons of each season, what to watch out for by area and how to plan your calendar.
Does the season directly change healing?
Air temperature alone does not determine how fast a piercing heals. What really affects healing is a correctly performed piercing, jewelry of the right size and material, regular aftercare and preventing repeated pressure, friction or knocks to the area. The season's effect is indirect: in winter thick clothes and accessories increase friction, while in summer the sea, pools, sweat and sun increase irritation. So the question “which season is most suitable?” is really the question “how easily can I protect my piercing during this period?”. Average healing times by area in our piercing healing times table you can find them.
Pros and cons of getting pierced in winter
Pros: There are no sea, pool or jacuzzi plans; you sweat less; there is no sunburn or contact with sunscreen. After the New Year many people also have fewer travel plans, which makes it easier to settle into an aftercare routine.
Cons: Beanies, hats, scarves, turtlenecks and coat hoods can catch on ear and nose piercings. Central heating dries out the skin indoors. Frequent nose-blowing during cold season irritates a nose piercing. Thick collars can trap moisture behind the ear.
- If you got an ear piercing, choose a soft, loose-fitting beanie or an ear band in the first weeks; when putting the beanie on and taking it off, move it while stretching its edge outward.
- Keep your scarf and turtleneck loose on the side of the piercing, and make sure wool and fuzzy fabrics do not get tangled in the jewelry.
- Do not rub the area more than necessary indoors; for a feeling of dryness, keep up saline care instead of applying cream. Why we do not recommend cream is explained in our what to put on a piercing guide article.
- For headphone use, see our headphones, glasses and helmet guide for more.
Pros and cons of getting pierced in summer
Pros: Clothes are light and there are fewer accessories rubbing against the ear and nose area. School holidays and time off make it easier to find time to visit the studio.
Cons: Going into the sea, pools, jacuzzis or lakes with a new piercing is not recommended; bacteria and chlorine in these environments irritate the healing hole. Heavy sweat, sunscreen and body oils can build up in the area. Sunburn puts extra strain on healing tissue. Keeping up an aftercare routine can be harder while traveling on holiday.
- Get pierced at least a few weeks before your holiday; for sea and pool rules, see our shower, pool, sea and sports guide .
- Do not apply sunscreen directly on the piercing; apply it around it.
- After sweating, soothe the area with saline and dry it with a clean paper towel.
Spring and autumn: the in-between seasons
Because of the mild weather, less sweat and lighter clothes, spring and autumn feel like the most practical time to many people. Still, there are things to watch for in these seasons too: in autumn the pace of school and work picks up, and in spring you should calculate how much time is left until the summer holiday. Especially with cartilage piercings, healing takes months, so a helix done in spring may still be healing during the summer holiday.
Seasonal table by area
| Area | Watch out in winter | Watch out in summer |
|---|---|---|
| Lobe | Friction from beanies and scarves | Sea/pool break; since healing usually takes a few weeks, it is the easiest area to plan |
| Cartilage (helix, tragus, conch, daith, rook, industrial) | Beanies, headphones, hoods; pressure while sleeping | Because of the long healing time, sea and pool restrictions may last all summer |
| Nose (nostril, septum) | Colds, nose-blowing, tissue friction | Sunscreen, sweat, masks and snorkels |
| Navel | High-waisted trousers, thick belts and coat zippers | Swimsuits, beach and pool; long sun exposure on the area |
| Lip and tongue | Contact with scarves and turtleneck collars; very hot drinks | Sea and pool; changing eating habits on holiday |
| Eyebrow | Beanie and hat edges | Sunglasses, sweat and sunscreen |
If you are undecided about the area, where to get your ear pierced guide and first piercing preparation checklist is a good place to start.
Plan your calendar backwards
What matters more than the season is the events ahead of you. If you have plans such as a wedding, graduation, a trip abroad, surgery, an intense sports period or military service, count your piercing date backwards from that date:
- Lobe: At least 6–8 weeks before the event.
- Nose and lip: A few weeks before, so the initial swelling can go down and the first jewelry downsizing can be done; full healing can take months.
- Cartilage and navel: Since full healing can take 6–12 months, ideally months before the event.
Changing the jewelry in a fresh piercing for an event delays healing; we explained the right time to change jewelry in our when to change piercing jewelry article. If you have a health condition, take medication or have a medical procedure coming up, it is also important to consult your doctor before getting pierced.
Booking at Cadde Piercing Studio
Whatever season you come in, before the piercing we assess your area, your daily habits and your upcoming plans together, and explain the aftercare steps verbally and in writing. Current piercing prices are on the prices page listed one by one. For ear and nose piercings, if you choose titanium jewelry, titanium jewelry is 350 TL and 350 TL is added to the piercing price (example: helix 450 + 350 = 800 TL).
Yaz aylarında piercing yaptırmayı düşünüyorsan deniz, havuz ve hamam için bekleme sürelerini piercing sonrası denize ve havuza girilir mi rehberimizde bölge bölge anlattık.
For appointments and questions, you can message us on WhatsApp, online booking or visit our studio at İstiklal Mah. Mithatpaşa Cad. No:7B, Ümraniye Çarşı. We are open Mon–Sat 10:00–20:30 and Sunday 11:00–20:00.
Sources: Association of Professional Piercers (APP) aftercare recommendations; NHS “Piercing infections” page. This article is for general information only and does not replace a medical examination.
FAQ
Can you get a piercing in winter?
Yes. Cold weather does not prevent healing. If you limit friction from beanies, scarves, high collars and headphones on the piercing, winter is a comfortable period when the sea and pools are not on the agenda.
Is it a bad idea to get pierced in summer?
It is not forbidden, but it needs planning. You should stay out of the sea, pools and jacuzzis until a new piercing heals; heavy sweating and sunscreen can also irritate the area. Getting pierced at least a few weeks before your holiday is more comfortable.
Which season is most suitable for a piercing?
Medically there is no single right season. Spring and autumn feel practical to many people because of the mild weather, less sweat and fewer thick clothes. What really decides it is the time you can devote to aftercare during healing and your daily habits.
Can I get pierced when I have the flu or a cold?
If you have a fever, fatigue or heavy sneezing, it is better to postpone your appointment for a few days. Especially with a nose piercing, frequent nose-blowing and tissue friction irritate a fresh hole.
What should I do if my ear piercing catches on my beanie in winter?
Take the beanie off slowly without forcing the jewelry, clean the area with saline and for a few days use an ear band or loose-fitting beanie that does not press on it. If swelling, redness or discharge increases, contact the studio or a doctor.
When should I get pierced before a wedding or holiday?
For fast-healing areas such as the lobe, at least 6–8 weeks before the event; for cartilage, ideally a few months before. Changing jewelry or going into the sea with a fresh piercing delays healing.
This content is for general information only and does not replace medical diagnosis or treatment.