Did you finally get that piercing that you have been planning for years? Well, now you need to know how to take care of it. Because you don’t want to live the nightmare of piercings turning into infection hotbeds. Be it the nose, torso, or facial piercings, there are certain things that you need to keep in mind. Bookmark this guide on how to take care of piercings.

1. Ear piercing

Ear piercing is the most common type of piercing and requires a little extra maintenance in the beginning. But don’t worry, it is not rocket science. You have to be consistent with the aftercare of both the piercing and the jewellery. A regular saline wash should keep things healthy and free of infections. You should refrain from moving your earring around too much because it will only irritate your piercing more. So, let it heal and use clean hands to regularly wash it with saline water and stay away from scented soaps and washes. Also, you should never wipe the piercing, dab it so it doesn’t hurt.

2. Nose piercing

Your nose is a highly sensitive area and a nose piercing requires a lot of aftercare. Not to scare you, but this one is going to be painful and will need more looking after than an ear piercing. Rotate your jewellery every once in a while and dab some tea tree oil or saline solution to clean it. Make sure you are wearing high-grade jewellery to avoid any infections as it might react with the skin. Never touch your nose with unclean hands as that can lead to a bacterial infection.

3. Navel piercing

One of the most asked questions is how to take care of a navel piercing as it can sound really overwhelming. But navel piercings aren’t that scary. Though they take about 9-12 months to heal completely, they aren’t too painful later. You must clean your navel piercing with a simple saline solution and stay away from wearing tight-fitted clothing. Also, refrain from moving your jewellery around as it can delay the process of healing. You should avoid public pools or jacuzzis for the time being as you don’t want to risk any infection.

4. Tongue piercing

Tongue piercings are really scary and can often be risky if not taken care of properly. But if you have decided to give it a go, you must remember to be extremely careful with this kind of piercing. Tongue piercings are harder to look after as the tongue has a lot of bacteria that can disturb the process of healing and can cause swelling and inflammation. Make sure to rinse your tongue after every meal with warm saline water or an alcohol-free mouthwash. Refrain from any kissing or going french with your partner while your piercing heals. Stay away from spicy food and hot beverages for a while.

5. Other body piercings

Other body piercings can include piercings on the nipple or collarbone and these can be a little more sensitive than others. But as long as you are not rushing to self-assess your piercing and move it around too much, it is bearable. You shouldn’t use any soaps or exfoliants on any body piercings or keep them under bandages as it can lead to inflammation and/or infections. Let them breathe and use lukewarm water or saline water to clean your piercings. Avoid wearing fitted clothes while your piercing is healing as you should avoid unnecessary friction.

6. Other facial piercings

Other facial piercings can include eyebrow, cheek, third eye piercings, and much more. And if you’re going to the lengths of getting any such piercing, you must make sure you are looking after them with utmost care. You must be cautious while cleaning your piercing and must avoid soap or fragrant cleansers. Stick to lukewarm water and make sure you are drying after cleaning and not leaving your piercing damp. This could lead to bacterial infections and affect a particular part of your face. And if you feel that the redness and swelling haven’t gone down within the week, contact your piercer and don’t apply anything on your own.

7. Genital piercing

One of the most frequent questions when it comes to genital piercings is how to take care of them because these can be really tricky. And you must do your homework before getting your genitals pierced because that is a whole different level of freaky altogether. So, once you have done the deed, you will experience some swelling, bleeding, and bruises. The foremost tip is to avoid any sexual activity involving your genitals for a while. Another important tip would be to wash and pat dry your piercing twice a day and also clean it every time you urinate. You can use a gentle saline wash or dab some coconut oil and stay far away from oral sex because that could go wrong in an instant.

Featured Image Source