NEW PIERCING AFTERCARE

Earlobe piercings are delicate, so handle them with care.

Typically, an earlobe piercing heals within 2 to 3 months, while a cartilage piercing might take 6 to 8 months. The actual healing time can vary based on your body's unique healing abilities and your adherence to aftercare instructions.

Avoid changing or removing your jewelry before the piercing is fully healed. If you have any questions, consult your piercer. Should you experience symptoms like excessive swelling, soreness, redness, or pus, seek medical attention within 24 hours.

Care Tips for Your New Piercing

The best way to maintain your new piercing is by keeping it free from unclean hands, germs, and harmful bacteria. The simplest method to clean your piercing is in the shower. The warm water and steam will soften your skin and help loosen any crust forming at the base of your jewelry, making it easier to remove. Gently clean the crust using a cotton swab, paper towel, or gauze pad—never force the crust off or pick at the piercing.

While showering, first wash your hands with clear glycerin or antibacterial soap. Then, carefully lather around the earlobe piercings without touching it directly. It’s crucial to rinse thoroughly, as any residual soap can irritate the wound. Avoid using colored, fragranced, or animal product-based soaps on your piercing, and refrain from over-cleaning.

Soaks

Soaks are an effective method to dissolve any crusted lymph fluids around your piercing. You can prepare soaks using saline sprays or non-iodized sea salt. Begin by filling a clean or disposable 8oz/250ml cup with warm distilled or bottled water. Add a quarter teaspoon of non-iodized sea salt, either food grade or organic, and stir until it completely dissolves. Then, submerge the piercing (such as an earlobe) entirely in the cup and let it soak for at least 3 to 5 minutes, twice daily, ideally after showering. If you prefer using a saline spray, simply use it in place of the salt and water mixture.

Sprays

Sterile saline sprays are a convenient way to rinse your piercing and dissolve any crusted lymph fluids. Begin by generously applying the spray to thoroughly saturate the pierced area, which aids in irrigating the piercing. It’s important to avoid rotating your jewelry while cleaning. Alternatively, you can use a sterile gauze or cotton swab soaked in saline solution to gently remove any crusted lymph around your piercing.

Leave It Alone

Remember, the first step in aftercare is simple: just leave your earlobe piercings alone, except when it's time for cleaning.

Do not turn or spin your jewelry under any circumstances. Spinning and friction can lead to micro-tears, scar tissue, and hypertrophic scars (commonly known as keloids or piercing bumps).

To minimize trauma, infections, and hypertrophic scarring, be mindful of clothing pulls, friction from repetitive movements, and bacteria transfer from unwashed hands.

ADDITIONAL TIPS

DO'S

Do avoid swimming.

This includes all water bodies such as public swimming pools, hot tubs, rivers, oceans, lakes, and even your home pool. Avoid these until your new piercing is fully healed, as they can harbor harmful bacteria and parasites that may cause infections and potentially damage your piercing.

Do choose hypoallergenic jewelry.

Once healed, choose jewelry made from materials less likely to cause reactions, such as titanium, surgical steel, or gold.

Do check for signs of infection.

Regularly inspect the piercing for redness, unusual discharge, or excessive swelling. If you notice any of these signs, consult a healthcare provider.

DONT'S

It's best to keep a hands-off approach. Refrain from touching your earlobe piercings to avoid transferring bacteria and causing infections. If you must touch your piercing, ensure your hands are thoroughly washed and clean. Also, avoid putting any pressure on your piercing, as this can hinder the healing process.

Don’t engage in rough activities.

Avoid any activities that involve intense friction or pulling on your new piercing. Such actions can lead to the formation of scar tissue and migration, a process where the body attempts to expel the jewelry from the piercing location.

Don’t overclean your piercing.

Avoid cleaning your piercing more than twice a day unless absolutely necessary, as overcleaning can irritate the area and delay the healing process. If your piercing looks clean but feels tender, reduce the cleaning to once daily and then adjust to an as-needed basis. Over time, you will establish a permanent cleaning routine that works best for the healing stage.

Don’t use unsuitable substances.

Avoid applying petroleum-based ointments, hydrogen peroxide, or rubbing alcohol to your new piercing. These substances can significantly irritate the piercing and impede the healing process. Products like peroxide or alcohol should only be used for treating infections, not for routine care during the healing phase.

Don't remove or change your jewelry while it's healing.

Keep the jewelry in place for the duration of the healing period. The jewelry serves as a conduit for drainage from the wound created by the piercing needle. Removing the jewelry too soon can cause the piercing to become irritated and close prematurely, which may trap draining fluid inside and lead to complications, including infections that might require medical attention.