Piercing Aftercare

Suggested Aftercare for Body Piercings

Cleaning Solutions

• Do not mix your own sea-salt solution. Home mixes are often too strong and can over-dry or irritate a healing piercing.
• Use a sterile wound-wash saline labeled for wound care. The ingredient list should be only 0.9% sodium chloride (and sometimes purified water).
• Avoid products with additives (moisturizers, antibacterials) and similar-sounding items like contact lens saline, nasal sprays, or eye drops.

Cleaning Instructions for Body Piercings

• Wash hands thoroughly before touching or cleaning the piercing.
• Rinse/spray the area with sterile wound-wash saline during healing. Do not rotate or twist jewelry during cleaning.
• Dry gently with clean disposable products (gauze, cotton swabs). Avoid cloth towels that can harbor bacteria or snag jewelry.

What’s Normal?

• Early on: mild bleeding, localized swelling, tenderness, or bruising.
• During healing: some discoloration or itching; a whitish-yellow secretion that may form crust on jewelry; tissue can feel snug around the jewelry.
• Piercings heal from the outside in. It may look fine externally while the interior is still delicate—keep up aftercare for the full healing period.
• Once healed, jewelry might not move freely—don’t force it. Make cleaning part of your routine to avoid buildup of normal (sometimes smelly) secretions.
• Important: Even healed piercings can shrink or close quickly. If you like the piercing, keep jewelry in place.

What To Do

• Only touch the piercing with clean hands; otherwise, leave it alone except for cleaning.
• Do not twist/spin/rotate jewelry during healing.
• Exercise and sweating are fine—just avoid contact or movements that could bump, snag, or irritate the area, and keep gym surfaces from contacting the piercing.
• Change and wash bedding regularly. Wear clean, breathable clothing that won’t rub the area, especially while sleeping.
• Showers are safer than baths. If you use a tub, clean it thoroughly first and rinse your piercing after soaking.

What To Avoid

• Avoid alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, antibacterial/iodine products, harsh soaps, and ointment (blocks airflow).
• Avoid Bactine®, “pierced ear care” solutions, and products with BZK (Benzalkonium Chloride).
• Avoid over-cleaning; too much can irritate and slow healing.
• Avoid friction/pressure (tight clothing), vigorous cleaning, playing with jewelry, or excessive movement—these can cause irritation, migration, or prolonged healing.
• Avoid oral contact, rough play, and exposure to others’ bodily fluids near the piercing during healing.
• Limit factors that can slow healing (excess stress, drug use, heavy caffeine/nicotine/alcohol).
• Avoid submerging in lakes, pools, oceans, and hot tubs. If unavoidable, protect with a waterproof transparent film dressing (great for navel, nipple, and surface piercings).
• Avoid cosmetics, lotions, sprays, and similar products on or around the piercing.
• Don’t hang charms or accessories from jewelry until fully healed.

Hints & Tips: Jewelry

• Keep the initial jewelry in for the entire healing unless a piercer recommends a change (many piercings need a downsize during healing—see a qualified piercer).
• Leave jewelry in at all times—even healed piercings can close quickly. If metal must be removed (e.g., a procedure), ask your piercer about a non-metallic retainer.
• With clean hands or disposable products, periodically check that threaded/threadless ends remain secure.
• If you no longer want the piercing, remove jewelry (ideally by a pro) and keep cleaning until the opening closes. Expect some scarring.
• If you suspect an infection, consult a healthcare provider about whether to keep high-quality jewelry (or an appropriate alternative) in place to maintain drainage.

For Particular Areas

Navel

• To shield from bumps or tight waistbands, a vented hard eye patch can help. If adhesives irritate your skin, secure it with tights/stockings or a soft wrap instead of tape.

Ear / Ear Cartilage & Facial

• Clean bedding and pillowcases matter. Try the t-shirt pillow trick: put a clean tee over your pillow and rotate/flip for fresh surfaces.
• Disinfect phones, headphones, glasses, etc.; wash hats, scarves, and headbands regularly.
• Use care with hair styling and tell your stylist you have a fresh or healing piercing.
• Avoid sleeping directly on healing cartilage. A travel pillow (ear in the opening) can reduce pressure and irritation.

Nipples

• A snug cotton top or sports bra can add protection and comfort, especially for sleeping.

Genital

• Some genital piercings (e.g., Triangle, PA, Ampallang, Apadravya) may bleed noticeably for a few days—be prepared.
• Wash hands before any contact with or near the piercing.
• Sex is typically okay when you feel ready, but be gentle and prioritize hygiene during healing.
• Use barriers (condoms, dental dams, waterproof bandages) to avoid partner fluid contact—even in long-term monogamous relationships.
• Use barriers on sex toys and a new, water-based lubricant. Do not use saliva. Shower after sexual activity.

Surface Anchors

• These need ongoing maintenance—debris can collect under the threaded top and cause irritation. Saline rinses or shower rinsing can help keep the area clear.
• Avoid makeup on or over the anchor—even after healing.
• Surface anchors are less permanent than many other piercings, even with great care.

Alternative Aftercare

• Aftercare evolves by climate/region and product availability—consult your local professional piercer for tailored advice.
• If using soap, choose a gentle, fragrance-/dye-/harsh-chemical-free option and rinse thoroughly. Antibacterial soaps are generally not suggested for healing piercings.
• If sterile saline isn’t available where you live, keep it simple: shower-rinse well and follow your piercer’s regional guidance.

Important Notes

• These guidelines reflect professional experience, common sense, research, and clinical practice. They are not a substitute for medical advice.
• If you suspect infection or have concerns, seek medical care. A piercing-aware provider or your local APP member can help.

Adapted from the Association of Professional Piercers’ “Suggested Aftercare for Body Piercings.” Content available for reuse under the APP’s stated terms with proper credit.