What are Sleeper Earrings?

Sleeper earrings

"Sleepers" are a type of earring which are designed in a plain, simple hoop.  They are made to be comfortable to sleep in and can be worn for weeks or months on end without causing discomfort.

Sleepers normally have a small diameter - typically 10 to 18mm.  Anything larger than 18mm may get caught in clothing while undressing and anything smaller than 10mm may cause discomfort on the earlobe.

One side of the post is hinged to allow the post to open and close.

Newly Pierced Ears

Sleepers are generally placed into the earlobe when ears are initially pierced.  The sleepers help to keep the newly made hole open while the earlobe heals.

Sleepers should be left in place until the new hole has completely healed.  How long this takes depends on the individual.  For some, this may be a matter of weeks, other people may need to leave them in for 6 months or more to ensure the hole doesn't close over.

I have had my ears pierced for over 20 years, but I still wear hooped earrings at all times.  If I leave them out for more than 24 hours, the hole starts to close up.  After a week it is completely closed.

How to get Sleeper Earrings in

Many people find sleeper earrings difficult to put in on their own (including me!).  The assistance of a friend can help.  Because of the potential difficulty in putting them in, they are often left in place for a while.

Hold the earring and open the post.  You will notice that when you pull the post up, it will slide out of one side of the sleeper.  The sleeper earring is a hollow tube and the post simply slips inside this tube.  Place the post into your earlobe hole and close the post carefully, making sure that the post slides back inside the tube.

Where to buy Sleeper Earrings?

I am biased of course, but Frenelle has one of the best ranges of sleepers.  Available in both solid silver and gold plated, they range in size from 8mm up to 20mm.

There is also a choice of band width, either 1.2mm or slightly larger at 1.5mm.

Click here  to view Frenelle's range of sleeper earrings

How to wear Sleeper Earrings?

Sleepers were originally developed for use after a piercing was done to keep the new hole from closing over.  In recent years however, customers have often bought several sleepers in different sizes and wear them in a graduated fashion from small to large.  

There is no restriction on where, on the ear, they can be worn and they are now seen in a variety of locations.

Alternatives to Sleeper Earrings

Many people do find Sleeper Earrings impossible to put on by themselves.  For this reason, huggie earrings designed in a simple hoop are a perfect alternative.  They look the same once in the ear and do the same job of keeping a newly pierced ear hole open. 

Also, if your holes have a tendency to close up (like mine), then wearing a simple huggie earring will help.  Personally, I wear a size 12mm silver earring 24/7

Frenelle also sells a range of huggie earrings which can be worn in this fashion - click HERE