Anti-bacterial Soap

The optimal way to care for your piercing is to clean it once to twice per day (if you are physically active, try to schedule your cleaning for after you exercise). The easiest and most comfortable way to clean your piercing is either during or immediately following a hot shower. The hot water and steam will help soften your skin and loosen the crust at the base of your jewelry (making it easier to remove). While in the shower, wash your hands thoroughly with anti-bacterial soap (any soaps containing fragrances can irritate your piercing or cause allergic reactions). Spectro-Jel Unscented is a good low ph anti-bacterial cleanser that has a great success rate with a new piercing. If you are unsure about a product, always consult your piercer before using it.

Next, gently remove the crust from your jewelry with a cotton swab (do not use a hand towel). Then, place some anti-bacterial soap in your hands and rub them together as to create a nice lather. Gently wipe the jewelry AND your piercing, being careful not to scratch or irritate the area. Once the jewelry and piercing are lathered with soap, gently turn the jewelry. This will help run some soap into the wound, helping to ward off bacteria. After spinning the jewelry back and forth several times, rinse the area and jewelry thoroughly while continuing to spin the ring. If your starter jewelry is not a ring, use the same cleaning procedure above without moving your jewelry too much.

Sea Salt Soaks (Saline)

As well as cleaning with anti-bacterial solution, you can perform your sea salt soaks either in or out of the shower. First, fill a fresh disposable cup with approximately 1 cup (250ml) of lukewarm water and add ¼ teaspoon of non-iodized sea salt, stirring until it is dissolved. Place the cup over the piercing; forming a vacuum-type seal, or dip the piercing into the cup. If either of these techniques are not possible, pre-soak a cotton-ball, swab or square in the sea salt solution and firmly press it on your piercing. In order to promote effectiveness, the first sea salt soak should last at least 10 minutes. All additional soaks should last at least 5-10 minutes. Following the sea salt soak, gently pat your piercing and jewelry dry with a fresh disposable paper or cotton product.

*For those who are extremely sensitive, an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory such as ibuprofen (Motrin IB, Advil, etc.) can help reduce swelling and pain.

Additional Tips:

According to piercing-friendly physician Dr. Janet L. H. Keating with the Duke University Student Health Service, one of the best ways to care for and heal a piercing is to “promote healthy lifestyle habits.” Some additional tips to keep in mind include:

-Remember: a piercing is a wound. Consequently, you should expect tenderness, swelling, discoloration, and possibly bruising, bleeding and itching. Also, a natural part of the process for healing any wound includes the secretion of a white-yellow fluid (containing dead cells and plasma). This fluid will dry and form crust on your jewelry. To properly remove this crust, refer to our primary suggestions for healing your piercing.

-Never touch your piercing without first washing your hands with anti-bacterial soap. This is a great way to avoid infections even after your piercing is healed.

-Do not use petroleum-based ointments (e.g.- Neosporin, Polysporin, Bacitracin, etc.), hydrogen peroxide, rubbing alcohol, Betadine, iodine, and Hibacleanse!!! These substances can hinder and prolong the healing process.

-Check the accessories (e.g.- beads, balls, gem-ends, etc.) on your jewelry for tightness at least once a day. Make sure your hands are first cleaned with anti-bacterial soap!!! Checking your accessories is something that you should make habitual throughout the life of your piercing. Remember: tighten all threaded accessories by turning them to the right (right-tight, left-loose).

-Always wear loose and clean clothing around your new piercing.

-Do not expose your fresh piercing to oral contact or other bodily fluids. Use protective barriers such as condoms, dental dams and finger cots – even if you are in a monogamous relationship.

-Do not expose your piercing to cosmetics such as make-up, hair styling products, lotion, etc.

-Keep your piercing free of hair contact if possible.

-Eat nutrient-dense meals throughout the day and consider supplementing your diet with Vitamin C (1000mg in mineral ascorbate form, up to 3 times a day) and Zinc (120mg for males and 60mg for females). These supplements are most effective during the first 2-3 weeks of the healing process. If you are very active (e.g.- work hard, partake in regular exercise, etc.) extra nutrient-dense meals and an additional multi-vitamin supplement may help keep your immune system working efficiently.

-Drink plenty of fluids. Drinking 8-10 glasses of bottled or purified water per day is a great way to keep your body hydrated.

-Try to get at least 8 hours of sleep per night. This is considered the optimal amount of sleep for the body. This will help your body heal as best as possible. If you are living in a high-stress environment, consider resting as much as you can in your down time.

-Try not to sleep on your new piercing. This can cause irritation and prolong the healing process.

-Replace your bedding with clean sets of sheets, blankets and pillow-cases as often as possible during the healing process.

-Do not leave the jewelry out of a piercing for prolonged periods of time! If you must remove your jewelry, either put in a retainer or replace it ASAP. For example, a tongue piercing can close up in a matter of hours.

-Avoid going into a pool, hot tub, lake, etc. These types of water can be unclean and may induce infection.