For some, piercings have been an almost lifelong reality with the much needed aftercare having been meticulously done by their mothers.
However, for those who have chosen to go down the trendy route as adults, there is much to know and be aware of when it comes to the only thing more important than the actual (painful) process – the aftercare. Follow this list of do’s and dont’s to ensure that your piercings heal swiftly and hygienically, so as to avoid all the unnecessary fuss (and pus) that comes with infected piercings.
The Do’s
Keeping the piercing clean at all times is an absolute must when it comes to aftercare. The area of the piercing must be cleaned at least once a day with an oil-based soap or conversely, a saline solution. If you feel like adjusting your earring in place slightly moisten the area before you reposition it.
It must also be kept in mind that patience truly is a virtue when it comes to healing. A piercing is essentially like a wound and one needs to give their body the time to work through it the way it would work through any other injury. Also patience comes much faster when one is aware what kind of piercing takes how long to heal. For instance, ear lobe piercings take about two to three months to heal while cartilage piercings, like those on the nose, can take anywhere between three months to ten months.
The Don’ts
While rubbing alcohol on the piercing is perceived as a common hack, it is best avoided as overdoing this can dry out the area leading to cracks and bleeding. While one may tend to constantly fiddle and pick at their piercing, never go in with unwashed hands which can have dire effects on the swelling and redness. Also one must never readjust their piercing without moistening the area first. If your piercing is not sitting right and you feel it is excessively red or swollen, never hesitate to reach out to your piercer. Even if the piercing appears to be secreting liquid, in most cases it is a matter of irritation and not infection.
