So, you just got a new piercing – how exciting! Whether it’s your ears, nose, navel, or something more adventurous, proper aftercare is essential for safe healing and long-term success.
Here’s what you should (and should never) do to help your body heal cleanly, comfortably, and confidently.
The dos of piercing aftercare
Taking care of a new piercing is essential for preventing infection, minimizing irritation, and ensuring a smooth healing process. Here are the key things you should do.
Follow professional instructions
Our number one tip is always to follow the aftercare advice provided by your piercer. They know best based on your piercing type, placement, and the material of your jewelry.
Clean your piercing gently and regularly
Use a sterile saline solution or mild, fragrance-free soap to clean the piercing twice daily. Soak or gently wipe the area to remove crusting or discharge without harsh scrubbing. For example, proper ear piercing aftercare is not complicated, but it’s vital.
Wash your hands before touching
It’s crucial to always thoroughly wash your hands before cleaning or touching your piercing to prevent introducing bacteria. Always wash your hands with soap and water before touching or cleaning the pierced area.
Leave the jewelry in
Most piercers will recommend keeping your initial jewelry in for the entire recommended healing period. Removing or changing it too soon can delay healing or cause the hole to close.
Use hypoallergenic materials like titanium, surgical steel, or gold during healing, and ensure jewelry is not too tight to allow air circulation and prevent irritation.
Be patient with healing and maintain good overall health
Allow your piercing to heal fully before changing or removing jewelry. Healing times vary by location but typically range from 6 to 8 weeks for lobes to several months for cartilage.
At the same time, eat well, stay hydrated, reduce stress, and shower after exercise to promote faster healing and reduce infection risk.
Keep an eye out for infection
Watch for signs such as unusual redness, swelling, pain, or discharge that is greenish or bloody. Immediately seek professional advice if these occur.
The don’ts of piercing aftercare
Even with the best intentions, some habits can irritate your new piercing or lead to infection. Here’s what to avoid during the healing process.
Don’t touch it unnecessarily
Avoid touching except during cleaning to prevent bacterial contamination and irritation. Excessive touching, twisting, and rotating of the piercing can introduce bacteria and slow healing.
Avoid harsh cleaning products and chemicals
Do not use alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, iodine, or antibiotic ointments unless advised by a professional, as these can dry out or irritate the piercing.
Additionally, don’t excessively clean the pierced area. Cleaning more than twice a day can dry and irritate the skin, disrupting healing.
Avoid makeup, lotions, and sprays near the piercing
Using these products with a healing piercing can introduce irritants and delay healing. So, try to avoid using them for the duration of the healing process.
Don’t submerge it in water
Stay away from pools, lakes, hot tubs, and saunas for at least 6 weeks to prevent exposure to bacteria and chemicals.
Don’t remove the jewelry too soon
Taking out jewelry early can cause the hole to close or trap bacteria inside. Wait until it’s fully healed, often several weeks to several months, depending on the piercing.
Tips for specific piercings
Every piercing heals a little differently. Here are targeted tips to help you care for some of the most common body piercings, such as ear, nose, tongue, and navel piercings.
1. Earlobe piercing
Typically, an earlobe piercing takes 6 to 8 weeks to heal. To speed up the recovery process, clean the front and back of the earlobe with saline twice daily.
Avoid sleeping directly on the new piercing and stick with lightweight starter studs until fully healed.
2. Ear cartilage (Helix, Tragus, etc.)
The healing time for these types of piercings is usually 4 to 12 months. This is because cartilage is slower to heal. It’s also prone to bumps, so be extra gentle when cleaning the piercing area.
Avoid pressure such as headphones, hats, or side-sleeping, and never rotate or remove jewelry early.
3. Nostril piercing
Nostril piercings only take 2 to 4 months to heal. But to speed up the healing time, clean the outside and inside of the nostrils gently with saline. Avoid makeup or skincare products near the site. And don’t blow your nose aggressively during early healing.
4. Lip or labret piercing
The healing time of a lip piercing is the same as the earlobe one, only 6 to 8 weeks. To properly care for this piercing, you should rinse it with alcohol-free mouthwash after eating or drinking. However, avoid spicy, acidic, or hot foods for the first few days.
Additionally, keep the outside clean with saline solution.
5. Tongue piercing
The tongue piercing is among the fastest healing ones since it only takes 4 to 6 weeks to fully heal. The tongue piercing care tips include using alcohol-free mouthwash 3 to 5 times a day.
Stick to soft, cold foods to reduce swelling. Also, avoid alcohol, smoking, and kissing during initial healing.
6. Navel piercing
The typical healing time for the belly button piercing is 6 months to a year. Some of the most common care tips include wearing loose, breathable clothing to avoid friction and avoiding wearing belts or bending pressure during the early stages. Clean gently under the jewelry.
Conclusion
A new piercing is a small commitment with big results, if you treat it right. Keep it clean, be patient, and let your body do the work. A little care now equals a beautiful, healthy piercing for years to come.