Body Piercing: Safe Aftercare Tips

Body piercing is very famous among youth nowadays. Like clothes, makeup, fashion trends and hairstyles, teenagers are crazy for piercing their body too. It has become a style statement for this new generation. It is an youthful art for young people. But there are certain things that you have to know about it.

Body piercing should be done in a hygienic facility by a trained piercer. The equipments used for it should be sterile and disposable. Jewellery material should be good and proper aftercare tips are of utmost importance.

You have to be very careful with the piercing. After a body piercing it is necessary that you look after it. Here are some general body piercing aftercare tips:

• Generally piercings secrete body fluid which is called lymph. It becomes dry after some time and deposit around the jewellery. It is necessary to keep the piercing clean and free from the dirt.
• Always wash hands with an antibacterial liquid soap before touching your piercing. Some piercings like navel or nipple piercings should be covered with dressing for 2 or 3 days as per the given instructions by piercer. It is done to prevent bacterial contact.
• Also, you have to keep the body piercing dry and wear loose clothes so that the pierced area does not get restricted by tight clothing.
• For facial or ear piercings, there are some cleaning solutions with arnica that also make the healing process faster. A mixture of sea salt and water can be used for cleaning. Continue to clean for a month after it has healed.
• You have to be very careful with the oral piercings. Whenever you drink, eat or smoke, use antiseptic mouthwash for cleaning. You can keep the mouthwash with you in a bottle and use it as many times it is required.
• Taking shower after piercing is always good. It softens the lymph and makes it easier to remove with a cotton bud.
• Make sure that all external lymph is completely removed from the jewellery before you start rotating it. Otherwise it can scratch the internal part of the piercing which causes itching and burning sensation.
• Don't use ointments or soap on piercing. Antiseptic solutions slow down the healing process. Avoid applying shampoo and deodorant near the piercing and also avoid swimming for the first few weeks as chlorine and pool water can be contaminated with the unwanted bacteria.
• You can use tea tree oil or emu oil to fasten the healing process of piercing. Tea tree oil cools and soothes the piercing. Emu oil also helps heal the piercing.

These are some aftercare tips that can help your body piercing stay safe and uninfected.