If you have recently gotten a piercing, congratulations! They can be a great way to express yourself, add a bit of edge to an outfit, or just look beautiful. While the healing process after a piercing can take anywhere from 6 weeks to 6 months, how you treat your piercing in the days and weeks following your piercing is essential to a successful, healthy healing journey. Here are some tips and tricks to help you care for your new piercing, so it’s a great addition to your look.
Choose Jewellery Wisely
The type of jewellery you put in your new piercing can make a huge difference in how quickly it heals, and how comfortably it sits. Make sure the material of the jewellery is safe for your skin, and that it’s the right size. A good body piercing studio will be able to help you pick the right fit for your piercing.
The most common metals for body jewellery include gold, titanium and surgical steel. Gold should be 14 or 18-karat for piercings, and labelled as such. Titanium is generally safe for piercings and comes in a variety of fun and stylish colours. Ensure that whatever jewellery you get is certified and pieces that have been soldered have been done so properly.
Clean it Regularly
When it comes to your healing piercing, nothing is more important than keeping it clean. Cleaning it regularly and correctly is key, and different piercings may need a slightly different approach. Your piercer will usually give you instructions on the best way to clean the specific piercing you got, but generally, the following methods are preferred.
Gently wash the piercing with an anti-bacterial soap or cleaner recommended by your piercer, ideally once a day. Gently brush both sides of the piercing with a soft bristled toothbrush, followed by a rinse of warm water. When done, pat it gently with a soft cloth or paper towel to dry.
Avoid Touching and Fiddling
When it comes to piercings, Touching and fiddling can quickly undo all the progress you’ve made. Playing with the jewellery, rubbing it or tugging on it will irritate the piercing site, which can lead to a longer healing time and possible infection.
Make sure to keep your hands away from the piercing constantly. If you do need to reposition the jewellery, make sure your hands have been washed with an antibacterial soap.
Check for Signs of Infection
Signs of infection include redness and swelling, irritated skin, discharge and pain. If you notice any of these after you first get your piercing, it could be an infection and should get looked at right away.
If these signs don’t occur right away, be sure to keep an eye out for them at the start of the healing process. The best way to do this is to keep checking in on your piercing frequency and also pay attention to any changes in its colour or texture.
Change Your Jewellery During the Healing Process
During the healing process, it is essential to change your jewellery every 6-8 weeks. This is because the jewellery can wear down the piercing site and you may find it difficult to remove.
When changing your jewellery, never twist or force it. Instead, give it a gentle tug and if it is too tight, soak it in warm water for a few minutes to loosen it up. Once you have changed your jewellery, be sure to clean it before placing it back in the piercing.
Be Gentle With Healing Piercings
When it comes to piercings, gentle is always best. This can mean being gentle when you’re cleaning the piercing, being gentle when you’re changing jewellery, and being gentle when you’re wearing it.
Avoid rough contact with piercings and avoid wearing tight clothing or headpieces over them. This will put too much pressure on the area and can cause irritation. If you do need to wear something over your piercing, try to find something that is soft, stretchy and won’t rub the piercing area.
Eat Right
Eating the right nutrients throughout the healing process is so important for not just your new piercing, but for your overall health. It can be tempting to stick to standard convenience foods or fast food, but eating a balanced diet is essential for healing.
Foods such as bananas, potatoes, rice, oatmeal, fish and eggs are great as they are all healthy sources of carbohydrates and protein. Also, make sure to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
Get Professional Help if Needed
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms of infection or if you are having difficulty with the healing process, it is best to get professional help. Body piercing studios are experts in body piercing and can usually give you advice on what else you can do to help with the healing process.
No matter what kind of piercing you have, these tips and tricks for caring for your new piercing will help you get the best healing experience possible. Remember to choose jewellery wisely, clean it regularly, avoid touching and fiddling with it, check for signs of infection, change your jewellery during the healing process, be gentle with healing piercings and eat right. Lastly, if you are having any issues, don’t hesitate to get professional help. Good luck!
