Post-Piercing Aftercare: Soaks vs. Spraying - What's Best?

Have you just decided on getting new piercings this Friday and are considering whether to use soaks for a while after instead of just spraying with saltwater? It's important to follow proper aftercare instructions to ensure your piercings heal without complications. Follow these steps for the best results and remember, your piercing should be completely healed before you change the jewelry.

Key Points to Consider

Sea Salt Soaks: Sea salt has been shown to dramatically speed up the healing process of new piercings. Our bodies produce natural fluids that facilitate cleaning and healing, but these need to be kept clean. Here's how to do it:

How to Perform a Sea Salt Soak

Prepare the Solution: Use sea salt (you can purchase it from a grocery store or piercer's shop) and a clean, small container, like a juice glass.

Fill with Warm Water: Fill the container with very warm or comfortably hot water. Use approximately a pinch of sea salt per 8 ounces of water.

Soak the Piercing: Submerge the piercing in the solution for 15 minutes.

Frequency: Repeat this process 3 times a day until the piercing is completely healed. This process, depending on the location of the piercing, typically takes 4 to 6 weeks, but your piercer can provide more specific guidance.

Important Tips for Aftercare

Keeping the area clean is crucial to preventing infections. Here are other steps you should follow:

Clean Accessible Areas

Using a Q-tip: Dip the end of a Q-tip into the sea salt solution and gently clean all accessible areas around the piercing.

Do's and Don'ts of Piercing Aftercare

To ensure your piercing heals properly, follow these guidelines:

Do Nots

Changing Jewelry: Do not change the jewelry during the healing process. You risk infection and improper healing.

Injuring the Site: Avoid tugging, pulling, or injuring the site to prevent complications.

Touching or Playing with Jewelry: Use clean/sanitary hands or medical latex gloves when handling the jewelry.

Avoiding Non-Recommended Products: Do not apply table salt, rubbing alcohol, Neosporin, peroxide, or Vaseline. These can impede healing and lead to infections and scarring.

Tisking the Area: After drying the area, dab it with a clean towel or allow it to air dry. Avoid rubbing the piercing.

Protecting the Piercing from Contamination: Do not allow make-up, lotion, toner, or acne medication to clog or cover the piercing.

Using Bottled Water as an Alternative

If you don't have sea salt, you can use bottled water. While water will clean, sea salt will promote healing and prevent infections. Sea salt can be purchased from a grocery store, and many piercer's shops will give you some for free.

Remember, proper aftercare is crucial for the success of your piercings. Follow these guidelines and consult your piercer for more specific advice. Your patience and attention will help ensure a faster, healthier healing process.

Explore more piercing aftercare tips here.