There’s a reason why the piercing industry is worth an estimated $516 million. Few fashion statements are bolder than a good piercing.
However, regardless of whether you’re getting a simple ear piercing, or a more complicated body piercing, proper care after the event is essential. Without it, there’s a high chance that the area will get infected.
And, anyone who’s had an infected piercing knows that this needs to be avoided at all costs. So, how do you go about cleaning new piercings? If you want to learn the answer, then you’re in the right place.
In this article, we’ll provide you with seven helpful tips that you should follow after getting your piercing. That way, you can look great and stay safe!
1. Research the Jewelry and Piercing Shop First
The first thing that you should do is make sure that the jewelry or piercing shop you go to is reputable. If you don’t follow this step, then you could end up at a sketchy shop that does not follow safety regulations.
Poor quality jewelry can also worsen infections. So, make sure the shop is reliable by reading some online reviews first. This is usually a good indication of the average customer’s experience.
You should also make sure that the shop follows precautions like washing their hands, using new needles, and wearing medical-grade gloves. If you need a good option, then you can’t go wrong with bodypiercejewelry.com.
2. Use a Saline Solution to Clean It
After you get your piercing you will need to clean it regularly to keep it free from bacteria. The best thing to clean it with is a saline solution. You can purchase this at a store.
Or, you can make it yourself by mixing one teaspoon of salt with one cup of warm water. Then, dip a cotton pad or swab into the solution. Wipe around the piercing two to three times per day.
3. Avoid Using Certain Products
You might think that medical products like hydrogen peroxide and alcohol are good for cleaning piercings. However, you’d be wrong. Hydrogen peroxide wipes out all bacteria. Now, this might sound like a good thing, but it also kills white blood cells.
These cells are responsible for healing. As such, they can prolong the healing process and irritate. Similarly, alcohol dries out the skin and can cause itchy irritation around piercings. As such, stick to saltwater when cleaning the piercing.
In addition to hydrogen peroxide and alcohol, there are a few other things that you should make sure not to get into the piercing. Specifically, hair and body products like shampoo, body wash, cologne, gel, hair spray, and pomade.
All of these irritate the tissue. So, be careful when using them right after getting a piercing.
4. Make Sure You’re As Hygienic As Possible When Changing It
Changing your piercing is the most likely way to introduce bacteria to the area. As such, you should make sure that you’re being as hygienic as possible when handling it. First, always wash your hands before cleaning or changing them.
This will prevent the bacteria on your hand from getting into it. However, make sure that you aren’t using perfumed soaps. Make sure that it’s as mild as possible. Next, make sure that you never clean or change your piercing in a bathroom.
This might seem counterintuitive. However, bathrooms often contain the most amount of bacteria, especially public ones. This is true even if you clean it thoroughly. So, clean it in your bedroom instead.
5. Be Careful When Sleeping With a New Piercing
Sleeping with a new piercing is one of the main ways that people get infections. When you lie down directly on your piercing it can easily cause bacteria and moisture to get trapped in it.
This, in turn, can lead to an infection. As such, be careful when you fall asleep. Make sure that you aren’t lying on your piercing when you fall asleep.
6. Know How Long Your Piercing Will Take to Heal
Many people make the mistake of thinking that their piercing is healed when it’s not. As such, you should make sure that you know the average amount of time that your specific piercing will take to heal.
An earlobe will usually only take a month or two to heal. However, other piercings, like a nipple, belly button, and nasal bridge can take two to three months to heal.
Some piercings, like genital piercings and rhino piercings, can take up to a year to fully heal. Remember that there’s a big difference between when a piercing is actually healed and when it just looks healed. So, make sure that you can tell the distinction for yours.
7. Be on the Lookout for Signs of an Infection
The best way to beat infection is to recognize the early signs of one as soon as possible. That way, you can treat it with antibiotics or similar medicines. Huge amounts of swelling and redness are some obvious ones.
However, you should also keep an eye out for discharge. If this is abnormal or discolored, then you should visit either your piercer or your doctor right away.
If the infection is bad enough, then it could cause a serious medical condition. So, the quicker you deal with it the better.
Enjoy This Advice on Cleaning New Piercings? Keep Reading
We hope this article helped you learn the proper procedure for cleaning new piercings. As you can see, there are some areas of post-piercing care that are common sense. However, other parts require some knowledge.
However, as long as you follow all of the advice on this list, then you have the best possible chance of having a clean, safe piercing.
Did you enjoy this article? If the answer is yes, then you’re in the right place. Keep exploring to find more topics that you’re sure to love.
Andrea Parker is a reporter for Zobuz. She previously worked at Huffington Post and Vanity Fair. Andrea is based in NYC and covers issues affecting her city. In addition to her severe coffee addiction, she’s a Netflix enthusiast, a red wine drinker, and a voracious reader.
