How to Cleanse a Piercing

Piercings like these can be easily cleaned.

Many people have body piercings. Whether a person just got their first piercing or are taking care of their 20th, cleaning is important. It prevents infections, keeps the piercing looking nice and allows for proper healing. It only takes a few minutes a day to clean a piercing, but it prevents a person from hours of misery treating an infection.

Things You'll Need

• 1/4 teaspoon of iodine-free natural sea salt
• 1 cup (8 oz.) warm distilled or bottled water

Instructions

1. Mix the sea salt with the warm water. Ensure that the water is not so hot that it is boiling or so cold that it is icy to the touch.

2. Wash your hands before touching your piercing. This prevents infection and ensures that there is no cross-contamination.

3. Soak the area using the solution for at least five minutes. Either turn the cup so that you form a vacuum or use a clean, lint-free towel to apply the solution.

4. Ensure that you dry the piercing following the treatment. Use a new, clean, lint-free towel.

Tips & Warnings

• In addition to the saline solution, a person can also use mild, fragrance-free liquid soap once a day to clean the piercing. Be sure to dry the piercing after doing this, as well, by using a clean, lint-free towel.

• A piercing should never be removed to cleanse it. Piercings also should not be removed due to infection, as the wound could close up, trapping the infection inside.

References

• Association of Professional Piercers
• Montana Body Art Piercing Cleaning Info

Resources

• Steel Navel Aftercare Instructions