How to look after a new piercing
You’ve gotten yourself a fresh piercing. Congrats! Now, it's time to give that little beauty the love and attention it deserves. Here are some tips on how to properly care for your new piercing:
1. Cleanliness is Key
First things first, keep that piercing clean! Gently clean the area around your piercing twice a day with a saline solution. Avoid using harsh chemicals or alcohol-based products, as they can irritate your skin and slow down the healing process. And remember, no matter how tempting it may be, don't play with or twist your piercing! Keep those hands away.
2. Be Mindful of Your Activities
While your piercing is healing, it's important to be mindful of the activities you engage in. Avoid swimming in pools, hot tubs, or natural bodies of water, as they can introduce bacteria and irritants to your piercing. Also, steer clear of excessive sweating, tanning beds, and direct sunlight, as they can cause irritation and prolong the healing process. Basically, just be gentle with your piercing and give it some space to do its thing.
3. Don't Be a Hero
Listen, I know you're tough, but now is not the time to be a hero. Avoid wearing tight clothing or accessories that can rub against your piercing and cause irritation. Opt for loose-fitting, breathable fabrics that won't get caught on your jewelry. And speaking of jewellery, stick to high-quality materials like titanium or surgical steel to minimise the risk of allergic reactions or infections. Your piercing will thank you.
4. Patience is a Virtue
Healing takes time, my dudes. Be patient and resist the urge to change your jewelry too soon. Most piercings take several weeks to several months to fully heal, so give it the time it needs. If you experience any redness, swelling, or discharge, don't panic. It's normal during the healing process, but if you're concerned, don't hesitate to reach out to your piercer or a healthcare professional for advice.
5. Spread the Love
Once your piercing is fully healed, show it some love! Keep up with regular cleaning and maintenance to prevent any future issues. And hey, why not treat yourself to some new jewellery? Just make sure to choose jewellery that's appropriate for your piercing and won't cause any irritation. After all, your piercing is a work of art, so let it shine!
Remember, taking care of your fresh piercing is a commitment, but it's totally worth it. Follow these tips, be patient, and soon enough, you'll be rocking that piercing with confidence. Happy healing!
Footnote:
If you are ever unsure, the first person you should ask for advice is the piercer who did your piercing. If you’re concerned about a potential infection here are the signs to look out for:
- Redness and Swelling, the skin around your piercing is swollen and red or darker than your normal skin colour.
- Pain, the area around the piercing is painful, tender and or itchy.
- Pus/Discharge, there is a smelly yellow or green discharge coming from the piercing.
- Heat, the areas around the piercing feels hot to the touch.
- Bleeding, persistent bleeding beyond the normal healing time can be a sign of infection.
- Fever, if you have a fever seek medical attention, it may be a sign of systemic infection.
- Swollen glands, swollen glands usually indicate an infection.
- Spreading Redness, if the redness and inflammation spreads beyond the piercing site, seek immediate medical attention as it could indicate Cellulitis.
It's crucial to seek medical advice if you suspect a piercing infection, especially if you develop a fever, the infection spreads, or your symptoms don't improve within a couple of days of home treatment. You can always reach out to us at 7th Circle but we are not Doctors and there is only so much we can do without seeing it in person, so if we think you may have an infection we’ll tell you to speak to a professional.