It is important that your piercing be thoroughly cleaned twice a day. Over or under cleaning your piercing can inhibit the natural healing process and lead to infection. The best cleaners we have found include Provon medicated soap, Aveeno, or a mild, pH balanced cleanser like Dr. Bronner’s Baby Castile. Remember that Castile soap MUST be diluted, preferably with distilled water. Liquid soaps are preferred as bar soap collects dust from our environment.  Cleanse your hands thoroughly before you begin the cleaning process!

1. One of the easiest ways to clean your piercing is in the shower, after you have rinsed off any body washes and hair care products. All piercings secrete lymph and dead skin cells throughout the entire healing process, these form little scabs at the opening of the piercing often known as “crusties.”  Having crusted lymph and dried skin cells is a perfectly normal part of the healing process, but it can be irritating if pulled through the fresh piercing. The first step in cleaning a piercing is to lather a small amount of liquid soap on the outside of the pierced area.  Allow the soap to soften the crusties and gently remove them with your fingertips. It is not necessary to rotate the jewelry through the piercing as this may drag unseen crusties through the piercing.   Do not pick these crusties off with your dirty fingernails as this may cause irritation.

2. Finally, rinse the piercing thoroughly under running water. Any soap residue left on the piercing will be extremely irritating.

3. Dry off using a clean towel or disposable paper product. In general, piercings should be kept dry, as moist areas attract and foster bacteria.

4. Follow every cleaning with a sea salt soak for 5 minutes.

SALT WATER GARGLES, SOAKS OR COMPRESSES

Mild salt-water soaks are strongly suggested to accelerate healing and minimize discomfort and irritation during the healing process of your piercing. Salt-water soaks help to drain and dry up the piercing and stimulate air and blood circulation. Soaks are particularly beneficial when you are experiencing discomfort or before you do anything active as it will remove the crusties and allow the jewelry to move more freely.  Use a self-made mixture of non-iodized sea salt and distilled water. Note: Epsom salt and table salt are not the same as sea salt.

If possible fill a coffee mug with the Sea Salt solution and place it over your piercing allowing it to soak. If this is impossible, use clean cotton balls or gauze pads soaked in your Sea Salt solution and apply them gently around your piercing.

SEA SALT WATER RECIPE

1. Dissolve 5 teaspoons of non-iodized sea salt into 1 gallon of distilled water. (A stronger solution is not better as you can burn your piercing.) The solution should be relative to the salt content of your tears or sweat. Now you have a gallon of the solution pre-mixed to use for each soak. Remember to shake the gallon mixture each time before using to ensure the solution is evenly mixed!

2. Pour into a small, clean cup or coffee mug and submerge the piercing in the cup of solution for 5 minutes twice daily. If submerging is not possible, press a clean cotton ball or folded paper towel saturated in the salt water over the entire piercing area using light pressure. When the towel cools down throw it away and begin again with a fresh towel of Sea Salt solution and cover your piercing with it allowing it to soak for 5 minutes (do this twice daily).

3. Dry your piercing with a clean towel or disposable paper towel.