Piercing trends have changed; just one pair of simple has become less popular, with more and more women opting for more piercings and quirkier options. Whether it’s double piercing your lobes, or experimenting with trends like helix earrings, you need to care for your new piercing carefully to prevent infection. Here’s how to look after your new piercing. 

Use A Needle, Not A Gun

The best way to ensure a healthy piercing is to have it done properly in the first place. Check reviews for local piercers and chose one who uses a needle and not a gun. Guns were a popular option for piercing a few years ago, but they can actually cause a lot of damage to your ear cartilage. The guns are also harder to sterilise, with the plastic parts. A needle is much more sterile and more accurate. 

Choose the right jewelry

Choosing the right type of jewelry is the key. Most metals will irritate the freshly new hole and can lead to serious infections. Make sure your first piercing is titanium for the best start and while is healing, then you can swap to high-quality silver or gold after 6 months. You can find beautiful piercing at Boelry body jewelry with stunning designs and all different types of piercings. Stay away from any other metals for the first year, after it all healed nicely, you can swap for any.

Protect The Piercing

Most irritations of a new piercing are caused by bumping or snagging it, so be gentle while the piercing is healing. You could cover the earrings with plasters if you’re doing something where you’re more likely to catch them, like sleeping or exercising. 

Keep Them Clean

To avoid infection, it’s important to keep your new piercing scrupulously clean. Some piercing studios will provide or suggest rubbing alcohol, but this can be very drying to the skin, making the piercing take longer to heal. Instead, use saline solution, or regular soap and water. An oil based soap will clean the area, and soften the skin, helping the healing tissue. Clean the piercing twice a day. 

Create A Cleaning Routine

Always wash your hands before you touch the new piercing to avoid accidentally spreading bacteria. Moisten the piercing with clean fingers, and then clean the area. When the piercing is wet, you can turn the earring, but never do this when the area is dry, as this can snag the piercing. After cleaning, rinse the area with warm water. A routine will help you remember to care for your new accessory. 

Keep An Eye Out For Signs Of Healing

Earlobe piercings will take two to three months to heal fully. A cartilage piercing takes more time and a little more care to heal properly, and could take three to ten months to heal in full. When the piercing is no longer painful, has no redness, swelling or any leaking fluid, it has healed. Remember that your body sees your new piercing as a forgeign object, and its natural instinct is to reject it. Healing will take a bit of patience to care for it properly. Stay on top of your cleaning routine, and ice the area if the swelling is painful. 

If the piercing is red, sore, swollen, or leaking fluid, try not to panic. It’s likely that the area is just irritated, not infected. If you’re worried, ask your piercer to take a look, and they will be able to put your mind at ease. They will also be able to advise you on what to do if the piercing has become infected.