Falling asleep with your favorite earrings on might seem harmless, but an expert warns that this habit could be causing damage to your ears as you rest.

According to doctors, this seemingly innocent habit can quietly cause irritation, scarring, and even long-term damage to your ears. 

The Daily Mail interviewed Dr. Anil R. Shah, a facial plastic surgeon at Shah Facial Plastics, to discuss the potential harm of wearing earrings during sleep. 

He shared that earlobes are surprisingly delicate and can be prone to stretching, which can lead to visible aging and discomfort. 

He also warned that if your earrings pull your ears downward or cause tenderness, they are likely way too heavy.

Big and heavy earrings stretch the collagen and elasticity in earlobes, which can lead to long-term deformation, an aged look, and even tearing. 

How does pressure from sleeping on earrings affect your ear?

Dr. Shah explained, “Sleeping with earrings can stretch the piercing hole and also crease your skin, similar to how sleeping in one position might lead to wrinkles.”

‘When you lie on your side with earrings in, the constant pressure can damage the piercing and the surrounding tissue. 

‘The skin and tissue in our ear is very sensitive, similar to our face; any added pressure or compression can cause permanent changes in the area. 

‘With time, sleeping with earrings in can lead to an elongated hole and subtle skin folds that eventually become permanent, similar to how sleeping on the face with repeated compression causes sleep wrinkles.’

 Are there long-term skin changes that can happen?

The expert said, ‘Yes, consistent pressure with sleeping can result in long-term superficial consequences, including bumps, scar tissue, or thinning of the lobe.’

He explained that ‘repeated friction and compression’ can ‘trigger the body’s immune response’ which can ’cause scar tissue or small raised bumps known as keloids’ to form. 

‘In some cases, the skin around the piercing begins to thin and weaken, making it more vulnerable to tearing if an earring catches on clothing or bedding,’ he added.

How does bacteria build-up on earrings affect ear health over time?

The facial surgeon also revealed just how dangerous it can be to never clean your earrings.

‘Posts can start to accumulate bacteria that irritate the skin and cause recurring infections,’ he shared with the Daily Mail.

‘Earrings worn daily tend to naturally accumulate oil, skin cells, sweat, and hair products, allowing for bacteria to grow. 

‘If the posts and backings aren’t cleaned and removed regularly, the bacteria can ultimately enter the piercing, leading to constant irritation, inflammation, and a reddened, sensitive appearance around the hole.’

What’s the best nighttime ear care routine for people who wear earrings daily?

Dr. Shah urged people to ‘remove earrings before bed, clean both your ears and the posts, and let your piercings “breathe” overnight.’

‘The best routine is to take earrings out before sleeping, wash the earlobes with mild soap and water, and disinfect the posts with alcohol or saline,’ he said.

He then added: ‘For new piercings, wearing a clean, flat-backed stud overnight can protect the hole while it heals, and it’s recommended to only clean with saline, but for healed piercings, going without earrings at night gives the skin time to recover.’

Are there any types of earrings that are safer to sleep in than others? 

The plastic surgeon told the Daily Mail that ‘small, smooth, hypoallergenic studs -especially those made of surgical steel, titanium, or 14k gold – are the safest option if you had to sleep in earrings.’

‘They’re less likely to snag or put added pressure on the ear,’ he explained.

‘Large hoops, dangly earrings, or designs with sharp edges are much more likely to irritate the skin or cause mechanical trauma.’

According to the doctor, the smaller the accessory the better. 

‘Hoops are more likely to get caught on the bedsheets and cause more pull and movement to the piercing, resulting in damage,’ he dished.

‘Studs tend to stay in place and cause significantly less friction, whereas hoops can shift, snag on fabric, and put pressure on the piercing. 

‘This repeated pull can gradually enlarge the hole or even, in some cases, cause a partial tear in the earlobe.’

Are there ways to fix your ears if the damage is already done?

Dr. Shah said if your earlobes are already stretched, don’t worry, there are a few solutions. 

Softer hyaluronic acid-based fillers can be used because earlobes are composed of soft fat.

A softer filler won’t weigh down the skin like thicker fillers. People can even wear earrings right after the procedure.

People can also get a surgical earlobe reduction, which is a quick and simple procedure.