How to Buy Piercing Aftercare Products
The piercing aftercare product you chose will greatly depend on the type of new piercing you received. If you have a regular body piercing professional you trust, always follow his advice. However, if you have a new body piercer or are otherwise unsure of his advice, then you may want to shop around before deciding which body piercing aftercare product to buy.
- Difficulty:
- Moderately Easy
Instructions
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1
Take into account where your piercing is located. Obviously, if you have an oral piercing, such as a new tongue ring, you should read the product's label to ensure it's safe for ingestion. You also want to be careful when choosing products to treat sensitive genital piercings.
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2
Buy a saline soak. You should invert a cup of saline solution over the freshly pierced area for a few minutes about two or three times per day while healing. This is a common recommendation for belly button piercings, but piercers also recommend it for most other areas. Depending on where the piercing is located, you may need to apply the solution with a cotton ball or gauze.
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3
Use products recommended by the Association of Professional Piercers (APP). Satin Antibacterial Skin Cleanser for dermal piercings cleanses while it hydrates. Provon Antimicrobial Lotion Soap also carries a recommendation from the APP. You can also try mild anti-microbial soaps, as long as they are fragrance free.
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4
Get a dental rinse. If you have a new tongue ring or other oral piercing, then you need a product that's safe if swallowed and you can swish around inside your mouth for deep cleansing. Tech 2000 is one of the most commonly recommended rinses and has the APP's recommendation.
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5
Consider manufacturers of well-known tattoo aftercare products. Companies like Tattoo Goo and Ink Fixx offer a variety of piercing aftercare products in wipes, ready-to-use sprays for internal and external piercing, and saline cleansing solutions. H2Ocean also has a full line of both piercing and tattoo aftercare products to consider.
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6
Think about an alternative product. People have used products, such as emu oil for healing, when recommended by their piercing professional. It's also safe for ingestion, making it an option on oral piercings.
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Tips & Warnings
You can buy premixed saline solution, just be sure it doesn't contain additives or mix your own using non-iodized sea salt and warm distilled water.
Purchase aftercare products in convenient wipes and swabs for those hard to reach piercings.
Always follow your aftercare regime for the full length of time recommended. Piercings often feel healed when they aren't because they heal from the outside in. Healing time varies depending on placement, how well you take care of your piercing and your body's normal healing rate.
Never use petroleum jelly on fresh piercings, as it can promote bacteria growth.
Never use alcohol or hydrogen peroxide on fresh piercings, including on ears, as they can damage the skin and cause scar tissue to develop.
