7 CARING TIPS
FOR YOUR
PIERCINGS
In this post, we're going to look at some caring tips for your piercing so that
you can have a snazzy and healthy piercing on your ear or face.
Piercings are as cool as ever. Not only do they aesthetically look good, but they signify a certain confidence in the wearer. Whether you're getting an ear pierced or going the bold route by getting a piercing somewhere on your face, there's a certain level of care that needs to be done in order to make sure that your piercing is hygienic and well taken care of. So before you get that piercing, there are some helpful steps that you need to follow and take advantage of first.
1ASK FOR A NEEDLE
If you're going in for a piercing, you might assume that the gun is the only option and that it's the safest and most effective (as well as least painful) option. This isn't the case, though. It's much better to go with the needle in situations like these. Not only is it the most sterile option, but it's also minimally painful if done right. So be sure to ask for the needle if it's an option.
AFTERCARE IS YOUR FRIEND2
If you want to properly care for your brand new piercing, you'll want to use aftercare (you’ll find in-store) or a sterile saline solution. You might be tempted to use isopropyl alcohol, but this is a bad idea. This dries the piercing out and makes it so that the wound bleeds and remains open.
3DO NOT TURN THE
EARRING
Turning the earring used to be the way to go until it was found out that it was detrimental to the piercing. When the piercing is healing, turning can cause the fistula to be torn up (the tube of skin that forms inside the piercing hole.
CARTILAGE PIERCINGS NEED
MORE TLC
4
It's a simple fact that cartilage piercings are going to require that you take more care of them than lobe piercings. They feel nearly the same when pierced, but cartilage piercings act up a bit more during the initial piercing process.
So take care and plan ahead for this.
5KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR
HEALING
Piercings will take anywhere between one to twelve months to heal. We know, that range isn't very helpful at all, but it's the best amount that can be estimated for the piercing. A good rule of thumb is that once it stops swelling, secreting fluid, and it's no longer overly red, it's fine and will quickly heal.
HAVE THE RIGHT
MENTALITY6
It takes a lot of patience to make sure that your piercing area is healing 100 percent. Be sure to take care and use appropriate aftercare when you're cleaning the piercing. Also, using ice for redness and swelling is always a good idea. The more you take care of your piercing area after you've had the piercing done, the better your piercing area will respond to treatment.
Think about it: Your body's job is to repel foreign objects and push them out of the body. It can't do this if a piercing is in the way, so your body freaks out and sends redness and swelling and secretions as a last ditch effort to expel the object. Your job is to placate your body as much as possible while letting it know that this piercing isn't going anywhere.
7DON'T PANIC
If you notice an excessive amount of redness, swelling, or secretions, you don't need to panic right away. This is usually a sign of healing and not of infection. Any piercer who's worth their salt is going to take a look at your piercing and help determine whether it's infected or not. So don't go on WebMD unless you want to prove to yourself that you must be dying. Don't go to your doctor, either. Go directly to your piercer. Do not pass Go, do not collect $200. They'll be able to set your mind at ease. After all, nine out of 10 times the piercing is just healing and is not infected.
The most important thing to remember is that you have to listen to what your body is saying. Your body’s job is to get rid of a foreign object, so if you make a hole and put a foreign object in there, your body will immediately go to work trying to get rid of it. It’s also important to remember that there is no miracle cure. A lot of people come in, they get pierced, and they think that that’s it. The healing process involves keeping it clean and time—time being the most important thing. If you’re not a patient person then piercings are not for you.
