Downsizing is a term that we use frequently throughout your piercing experience! Think of downsizing as a helpful and recommended step in the continuation of your healing process.
When performing a new piercing, our piercers use a longer labret (or flatback post) to accommodate for swelling and other irritations that can occur during your initial healing period. The act of downsizing your piercing happens after your initial healing period ends.
Once your piercer decides that you are eligible to safely downsize your piercing earring, they will remove the longer labret post on the back of the earring you were initially pierced with, and insert a shorter labret that has a tighter fit.
The shorter length of labret post will reduce snagging and will be more stationary in your relatively new piercing channel, making way for a healthier piercing with less healing complications. This new labret post will stay in for the remainder of your healing process and can be left in indefinitely unless you need to accommodate for swelling in the future, if any irritation occurs.
For all *flatback downsizing appointments, we do not require the purchase of new jewelry. The downsize service is complementary to our customers. Please note, your piercer will completely remove your current jewelry in order to downsize the post during your downsize appointment!
We highly recommend you keep your longer labret post inserted for the duration of your initial healing period, and possibly longer, depending on how your body heals! It's best to not downsize too early, in the case more swelling/irritation occurs.
You can use the following time frames to help determine when you will be ready to stop in for your downsize.
Initial Healing Time Frames:
Lobe: 2-3 months
Stacked Lobes: 2-3 months
Upper Lobe: 2-3 months
Snakebite Midi: 3-4 months
Helix: 3-4 months
Flat Helix: 3-4 months
Forward Helix: 3-4 months
Conch: 3-4 months
Tragus: 3-4 months
Anti-Tragus: 3-4 months
Rook: 3-4 months
Daith: 3-4 months
Industrial: 4-5 months
Every ear heals differently! There is a chance your piercer may not feel your piercing is ready for a downsize just yet during this appointment—if so, they will be sure to let you know what time frame may be best for you to stop back into the studio again! You are welcome to book a Check-Up Appointment at any time to check in on the health of your piercing and ask your piercer any questions you may have!
You can book a Downsizing Appointment HERE after your initial healing time has passed to see if you are ready to be downsized! If you have not reached these initial healing time frames, it is likely that we will be unable to downsize you to a smaller labret post just yet.
Please remember that downsizing your earring does not indicate that your piercing has fully healed just yet. It is important to continue with your aftercare routine to ensure the long term health of your piercing! You can view our Complete Guide to Aftercare HERE
*For all non-flatback downsizing appointments (Ex. Curved Barbell, Industrial Bar or Clicker), your downsize experience will be slightly different! Due to the structure of your piercing earring, we are unable to simply switch out the backing of your earring in order to downsize your jewelry. Instead, we must replace the whole earring with a smaller/shorter one. In order to receive a downsize with this type of jewelry, we do require you to pay for your new earring.