We all know the saying. It has been transformed into a platitude by fashionistas, architects, musicians and even Unix programmers. But when it comes to aftercare for your piercing, it is solid advice.
When making your saline solution, the proper ratio is ¼ teaspoon of non-iodized sea salt to 8 oz. of clean, warm water. These proportions are critical. If you use more salt than necessary, the solution becomes hypertonic; it contains more salt than your blood. As a result, water inside the skin cells will flow outwards, causing the cell to shrink. As cells lose water, they lose the ability to function or divide. This can lead to irritation and dryness, and impede healing.
An obvious step in caring for your piercing, especially during the healing process, is cleaning it. However, over-cleaning causes different problems than not cleaning enough–it can delay your healing and irritate your piercing. The aim here is to assist the body’s natural healing process, not derail it. A once-a-day wash with an antimicrobial soap is suitable for most new piercings.
When cleaning, lather up no more than a thumbnail size drop of antimicrobial soap to clean the jewelry and the piercing. Leave the cleanser on the piercing no more than thirty seconds. Rinse, and then rinse again, to remove all traces of the soap from the piercing. Gently pat dry, and then go about your day.
Caring for your new piercing is not difficult, but you must be committed. Slacking off on your aftercare will only prolong your discomfort and the healing process.
Aloha,
Rockin’ Rob at PSPC