While getting a new piercing can be thrilling, it’s crucial to properly care for it to prevent infection and ensure proper healing. Follow these aftercare tips to keep your piercing healthy and looking its best. First and foremost, it’s essential to keep your hands clean. Make sure to properly wash your hands with soap and water before handling your piercing. It will help prevent the transfer of bacteria to the piercing site.
It’s also important to keep the piercing clean. A salt solution is the most straightforward option to clean your piercing effectively. To create your own, add 1/4 teaspoon of non-iodized sea salt to 1 cup of warm water and mix it. Alternatively, you can purchase a sterile saline solution from a store.
After cleaning the area, you can apply a small amount of piercing aftercare solution to the piercing. Many piercing aftercare solutions are available, but be sure to choose one explicitly formulated for piercings. These solutions are usually a combination of antimicrobial and moisturizing agents that help to prevent infection and promote healing.
Avoid exposing your piercing to water for the first few weeks, as this can cause irritation and delay healing. This means you should avoid swimming, soaking in a hot tub, or taking long showers. If you must wash your hair, use a waterproof bandage or plastic wrap to cover the piercing.
Avoid tight clothing or clothing that may rub against your piercing. This can irritate and delay the healing process. It’s also important to avoid playing with or moving your piercing, as this can cause irritation and delay healing.
If you observe any redness, swelling, or discharge at the piercing location or if you have a fever, it is vital to seek medical attention immediately. These symptoms may indicate an infection requiring prompt treatment to prevent serious complications.