Be stylish and responsible
It’s a common practice for some parents to don their children with jewellery at a young age. In the wild phases of teenage and adulthood, piercings become a fun way to add edge. Nevertheless, whether it’s your first or last embellishment, here’s a refresher on before and after piercing care.
Before your piercing
Once you’ve decided on your desired type of piercing, the next step is to do your homework about the do-s and don’ts. Ensure that:
>> The shop and piercers are reputable and licensed.
>> The piercers take proper safety precautions, like wearing medical-grade gloves and washing their hands.
>> The equipment used for each piercing is new and sterile.
After your piercing
Now that the exciting part is over, it’s time to be extra responsible to maintain your new look. Follow these tips for the first few weeks:
>> Always wash your hands before touching the piercing area.
>> Wash your piercings with mild, fragrance-free soap and water at least once a day. For oral piercings, use antiseptic mouthwash.
>> Apply a thin coat of petroleum jelly around each piercing as moist wounds heal faster.
>> Clean the skin around the pierced area with a cotton pad dipped in a salt solution.
>> Don’t sleep or lie on the pierced area for long periods of time to avoid injuries or inflammations.
>> Keep the jewellery in place, even at night, to prevent the hole from closing. You can ‘turn’ the
piercing around but only when it’s wet.
What an infection can look like?
Despite all attempts, sometimes an infection is inevitable. Even hypoallergenic materials such as gold and sterling silver may cause allergic reactions in some cases. The typical symptoms of an infected piercing are:
>> Aching or throbbing pain.
>> Swelling.
>> Redness.
>> Itching.
>> Burning.
>>Abnormal yellowish or whitish discharge.
See a doctor or board-certified dermatologist immediately if you think your piercing is infected. We hope this list of piercing do’s and don’ts is helpful for your piercing journey.
