Facial Piercings: A Skin-Safety Aftercare Guide

Getting a new piercing is great, but it can come with a lot of aftercare. There are lots of steps and maintenance in order to get it to heal correctly, which can be easily forgotten. Below is a simple guide to help you look after your new piercing and to prevent anything from going wrong as much as possible.

What You Should Do

Clean It Regularly

You really do need to clean your piercing, even if it still hurts. You should do so with nice, clean hands (keep those grubby paws away) to reduce the chances of infection. Cleaning won’t take too long, but it’s more than just a quick hop in the shower. Use sterile saline solution with clean cotton balls to gently clean around the piercing, careful not to pull or push at it.

Try Not To Touch

This can seem impossible, especially when it’s scabbing and can feel real itchy. However, not touching your new piercing is seriously important if you want it to heal properly. Be wary of facial piercings, like an eyebrow piercing in particular, as you could easily rest your hand on it without even thinking. Try not to use your hand to lean on or rest the piercing on the side where you sleep. 

Look Out For Infections

What everyone wants to avoid is getting an infection. They can get pretty serious. Not only might you have to take out the piercing, rendering the whole ordeal pointless but you can even end up in hospital. That’s why it’s key to keep an eye on the healing of your piercing, especially if you have sensitive skin. If anything looks remotely weird (like there’s pus or a smell), you should speak to your original piercer to get advice or go straight to your doctor if you’re worried. 

What To Avoid

Don’t Swap Jewelry Too Soon

It can be really tempting to swap out the original jewelry for something you like more but don’t! This is the worst thing you can do. You’re fiddling with a wound that hasn’t yet healed and could cause it not to heal correctly. You’d also increase the chances of getting an infection, which we really want to avoid. Just be patient and wait the full amount of time it should take to heal before making a swap.

Avoid Getting It Wet

When cleaning and showering you should try to keep the piercing as dry as possible. If it does manage to get wet then pat it dry with a clean cloth or paper towel. Don’t just use your normal towel, as they can hold a lot of bacteria that you don’t want getting into the wound. The same goes for swimming pools and any other water activities. You should avoid going in them for a few weeks after – the longer the better to give it the best chance to heal without complications.

Remember, healing takes time. By following these steps, cleaning, avoiding touching it and keeping it as dry as possible, it will give it the best chance to heal and reward you with a great result – just be patient!