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One of the most common reasons a healing piercing develops a small bump isn’t an allergy, an infection, or anything “going wrong”.
It’s simply that the jewellery is still too long.
When you’re first pierced, longer posts are used intentionally to allow space for swelling. That extra length is essential at the start, but once swelling settles, keeping the original bar in for too long can lead to irritation.
Professional piercers see this every day.
“Most bumps people worry are keloids are actually just irritation. They’re usually caused by a bar that’s too long, which keeps knocking the piercing and creating friction.”
— Karly, Founder & Piercer at Aurum.Ldn
What downsizing actually means
Downsizing means swapping your initial post for a shorter one once your piercing has stabilised.
The aim is simple:
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Reduce movement
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Reduce friction
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Let the piercing sit calmly in place
It’s not about changing the jewellery style - just choosing the right length for where you are in the healing process.
Why a bar that’s too long can cause bumps
Once swelling has gone down, excess post length can start working against you:
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The jewellery moves more when you sleep or turn your head
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The bar gets knocked throughout the day without you noticing
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The piercing angle can shift slightly over time
Your body often responds by forming a small irritation bump - not because the jewellery is “bad”, but because the piercing is being repeatedly disturbed.
This is especially common with cartilage piercings, which heal slowly and don’t love unnecessary movement.
When should you consider downsizing?
There’s no universal timeline, but many piercers recommend checking in around 6–8 weeks after piercing, once:
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Initial swelling has noticeably reduced
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The piercing feels more settled day to day
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There’s visible space on the post that wasn’t there before
A professional piercer can help assess whether downsizing is appropriate and select the correct length for your anatomy and placement. The most common would be to go down 2mm.
Our approach
We design jewellery to be worn long-term, but we believe it works best alongside professional piercing advice.
If something doesn’t feel right, a quick check-in with a piercer can make all the difference, and we’re always happy to help you think through sizing and next steps.
Healing isn’t about rushing or perfection.
It’s about fit, patience, and listening to your body.