The aftercare of body piercing is important to promote good healing and prevent the risk of infection.
Healing times for piercing will vary with the type and position of the piercing and vary from person to person. For the first few weeks it is normal for the area to be red, tender and swollen. Approximate healing times for the various piercings are:
Remember these times are approximate and will depend on how healthy you are and whether you look after the piercing properly until healed.
As with all body art, infection is a risk. To reduce these risks take advice from your practitioner regarding aftercare.
The risk of infection can be greatly reduced by good general hygiene including:
Hand washing is the single most important method of reducing infection. Hands must be washed prior to touching the affected area, therefore reducing the risk of infection.
Wash your hands in warm water and liquid soap, always dry your hands thoroughly with a clean towel or paper towel. This should remove most germs and prevent them being transferred to the affected area.
A new piercing can be tender, itchy and slightly red and can remain so for a few weeks. A pale, odourless fluid may sometimes discharge from the piercing and form a crust. This should not be confused with pus, which would indicate infection.
Including Lobes/ Tragus/ Anti Tragus/ Conch/ Helix/ Snug/ Diath/ Industrial/ Rook/ Translobal/ Transverse Lobe.
Including Eyebrow, Bridge, Jestum, Vertical Labret, Septum/ Nostril.
Soak the piercing for a few minutes by submerging the area of skin containing the piercing in a clean jug or bowl containing a warm water solution (1/4 level teaspoon of preferably sea salt to an egg cup/shot glass of warm water). Alternatively wet a clean cloth or gauze in the solution and apply as a warm compress. This will soften any discharge and allow you to clean the entry and exit points of the piercing with a cotton bud or gauze. Once the discharge is removed or softened then jewellery can be gently moved so as to work a little warm water through the piercing. When cleaning always tighten the ball on any bars by screwing the ball to the right.
Do this twice each day, preferably after washing or bathing.
You can also use mild antibacterial solutions and soaps to wash the wound site of an ear piercing. Ask your local pharmacist to advise you and always follow the manufacturers’ instructions. If irritation, redness or drying occurs discontinue use. Antibacterial wash is NOT suitable for nostrils, septum or vertical lips due to the tissue’s delicate nature.
Dry the piercing using ONLY fresh disposable paper towel/kitchen roll. A communal hand/bath towel should never be used.
Note: Cartilage piercings occasionally form lumps commonly known as granulomas. This is just trapped fluid and can easily be resolved using the heat and pressure from a warm water compress once a day, replacing one of your daily cleanings.
If appropriate aftercare is not followed infection may occur. The signs of infection are:
Speak to your practitioner or seek medical attention immediately if you suffer from any of the above or have any concerns regarding infection in your piercing or if there are any signs of an allergic reaction to any of the products used.
For further advice or information:
Contact your local Environmental Health Department, or your local Public Health England Health Protection Team
This Information is provided by: Public Health England North West Public Health England East Midlands Tattoo and Piercing Industry Union June 2013