Just got a new piercing? First off, congrats! But now you might be wondering, "What happens next?" It's totally normal to have some concerns about the healing process. Here, we'll go over five common things you can expect after getting a new piercing.
One of the first things you'll notice is swelling. The area around your new piercing will likely swell, but don't worry—this is completely normal. The swelling should go down after a few days. Your piercer will probably use jewelry that's a bit longer to accommodate this swelling. Once the swelling subsides, you can downsize your jewelry to something shorter (if the longer length is aggravating your piercing).
A little bit of bleeding is also normal right after getting pierced. This should only last for a day or two. If the bleeding continues beyond that, it's a good idea to check in with your piercer to make sure everything is healing properly.
You might notice some crusties forming around the piercing site during the healing period. These are simply dried lymph fluid and are totally normal. Just leave them alone—they'll fall off on their own. Think of it like a scab; if you pick at it, you're reopening the wound, which could introduce bacteria and delay healing.
Right after getting pierced, the area will be tender and may even bruise. It's going to hurt a bit, but this is a normal part of the healing process. As the days go by, the tenderness will gradually decrease, and you'll start feeling more comfortable.
This is a big one! Your piercing will start to look healed on the outside before it's actually fully healed on the inside. Even if it seems like everything is good to go, resist the urge to change your jewelry or slack off on your aftercare routine. Wait until the full healing period is over, and then give it a couple more weeks just to be sure.
Remember: Proper care is key to making sure your new piercing heals perfectly, so stay patient and follow your piercer’s instructions.
Getting a new piercing is exciting, but it's super important to choose the right jewelry materials to avoid any bad reactions and to help your piercing heal faster. Let’s dive into the best materials you can use for a fresh piercing!
Implant grade titanium is one of the top choices for fresh piercings. Here’s why:
SHOP OUR TITANIUM JEWELRY COLLECTION HERE
Glass might not be the first material you think of, but it can also be a great choice for piercings. Usually, glass is used as a retainer and it shares some benefits with titanium:
Keep in mind, glass isn’t as common for fresh piercings, so you might need to talk to your piercer in advance to see if they have it available.
SHOP OUR GLASS JEWELRY COLLECTION HERE
Another option is solid gold, but make sure it’s at least 14 karats. Here’s what you should know:
SHOP OUR SOLID GOLD JEWELRY COLLECTION HERE
Choosing the right material for your fresh piercing can make a huge difference in your healing process. So, go for implant grade titanium, glass, or solid gold to ensure a smooth and comfortable healing experience.
It's hot out, and we all know sunscreen is a must to protect our skin from the sun. But if you have a fresh piercing, you might be wondering: Can I use sunscreen with a fresh piercing? Let's dive into it and find out how to keep your new piercing safe while enjoying the sunshine.
Sunscreen is packed with chemicals that can be too harsh for a fresh piercing. Directly applying sunscreen on your new piercing can irritate it and slow down the healing process.
So, how do you protect your fresh piercing from the sun? Here are some tips:
Once you're done being outdoors, it's important to clean your piercing. Follow these steps:
By following these tips, you can enjoy the sun without worrying about harming your fresh piercing. Remember, taking care of your piercing is key to a smooth and quick healing process.
Just got a new piercing? There's one thing you definitely shouldn't do: twist or rotate your jewelry. Let's dive into why this old advice doesn't hold up today.
Back in the day, people thought you needed to twist or move your jewelry to keep it from getting stuck in the piercing. However, this is not true. Here's why:
The best thing you can do for your new piercing is to leave it alone. Your body is pretty amazing at healing itself if you give it the chance.
So, what's the takeaway? Don't twist or move your jewelry. Just let your body do its thing, and your piercing will heal much faster and better.
Got a fresh piercing? Awesome! But when it comes to cleaning it, there are some things you should definitely avoid. Let's go over what not to use and why.
It's tempting to use strong stuff to clean your piercing, but it's actually a bad idea. Here are some things you should keep away from your new piercing:
Petroleum-based ointments might seem like a good idea, but they actually prevent oxygen from reaching your wound, which is crucial for healing.
All you really need to clean your piercing is a saline spray. It's gentle and helps keep your piercing clean without any of the harsh side effects.
Oral piercings are a great way to express your style, but taking care of them during the healing process is crucial. A common question is whether you should avoid dairy while your piercing heals. The answer? Yes, it’s a good idea to steer clear of dairy for a bit, and here's why.
Dairy products like milk, yogurt, and cheese can leave a coating in your mouth. This coating can trap bacteria around your new piercing, which increases the risk of infection. Bacteria love warm, moist environments like your mouth, and the coating left by dairy gives them the perfect place to thrive.
Infections are the last thing you want when healing an oral piercing. They can slow down the healing process and cause discomfort. To avoid this, it's best to cut out dairy products during the initial healing period.
It's recommended to stay away from dairy for the first few weeks of healing. Everyone's body heals differently, but keeping dairy out of your diet for at least 2-3 weeks will give your piercing the best chance to heal smoothly and avoid complications.
Luckily, there are plenty of non-dairy alternatives you can enjoy while your piercing heals. Here are a few options:
By choosing non-dairy alternatives, you’ll reduce the risk of infection and help your piercing heal properly.
Taking these steps will help ensure your oral piercing heals safely and without complications.
Oral piercings are a fun way to express yourself, but taking care of them while they heal is super important. One thing you might not know is that mouthwash could actually be harming your new piercing—especially if it contains alcohol. So, should you avoid mouthwash with alcohol while your piercing heals? Let’s dive in!
If you’ve just gotten a new oral piercing, you’ll want to check the ingredients in your mouthwash. If it contains alcohol, it’s best to steer clear. Why? Alcohol is super harsh on the sensitive tissue around your fresh piercing.
When you use an alcohol-based mouthwash, it can dry out the tissue in your mouth, making healing slower. On top of that, it can cause irritation and discomfort—remember that burning sensation? Yeah, that’s your body telling you the alcohol is too strong for your piercing.
When alcohol dries out the tissue, it makes the area around your piercing less able to heal quickly. Dry skin and tissue can crack, which invites bacteria in and increases the risk of infection. The last thing you want is to deal with complications when all you want is a smooth healing process.
Luckily, there are plenty of mouthwash options that don’t contain alcohol and are safe to use while your piercing heals. These alcohol-free mouthwashes are much gentler and still do a great job of keeping your mouth clean without the harsh side effects.
As for the outside of your piercing, a simple saline spray works wonders. Saline is gentle but effective at cleaning the area around your piercing without drying it out.
By following these simple steps, you can help your piercing heal faster and avoid irritation or infection.
Getting a new piercing is always exciting, and you might be eager to swap out the jewelry for something that better suits your style. But, changing your piercing jewelry too early can actually cause some problems. So, is it a bad idea? The short answer is: Yes, it’s best to wait until your piercing is fully healed.
When you first get pierced, your piercer uses a longer piece of jewelry to accommodate swelling. This jewelry is usually made from high-quality, safe materials like implant-grade titanium. Although it might not be exactly what you want in terms of style, it’s the best option for the healing process.
Switching out your jewelry too early can disrupt healing. Even if your piercing looks healed on the outside, it might still be healing on the inside. Changing the jewelry too soon could cause irritation, delay healing, or even lead to infection.
Changing your jewelry before your piercing is fully healed can lead to several issues:
Even if your piercing looks good on the outside, it may not be fully healed internally. It’s important to wait the entire healing period—plus a few extra weeks—before making any changes. The exact time varies depending on the type of piercing, but a general rule is to follow your piercer’s advice and give it plenty of time.
Sometimes, you may need to downsize your jewelry after the initial swelling goes down. In this case, it’s best to return to your piercer. They’ll know the right time to downsize and can measure you for the correct jewelry. Plus, they’ll make sure the new piece fits properly and won’t interfere with your healing process.
By waiting until your piercing is completely healed, you’ll ensure a safe and smooth recovery—and can confidently rock your new jewelry when the time is right.
If you’re getting a new piercing, you might be tempted to go with butterfly back earrings since they’re commonly used in starter sets. However, while they may seem like an easy option, butterfly backs can actually cause more harm than good when it comes to healing new piercings. Let’s break down why you should avoid using them and what you should opt for instead.
Butterfly back earrings are known for their tight fit, which can be a problem when you have a fresh piercing. These earring backs tend to press too closely to the skin, creating a perfect spot for bacteria and debris to get trapped. As a result, this can lead to irritation and infection, both of which can significantly slow down the healing process.
Another issue with butterfly backs is that they don’t leave enough room for swelling, which is common with new piercings. As the swelling occurs, the earring back can press further into the skin, causing pain and discomfort. In some cases, the back can even become embedded into the tissue, which may require medical attention to fix.
So, if butterfly backs aren’t ideal, what should you use instead? A much better option for new piercings is a labret stud or a flatback stud. These styles allow for more room around the piercing, reducing the risk of bacteria getting trapped. Plus, they’re much easier to clean and less likely to cause complications like embedding or irritation.
Labret studs and flatback studs also tend to be more comfortable because they don’t press tightly against the skin. This makes them a much safer option for new piercings, giving your body the space it needs to heal properly without unnecessary pressure or irritation.
SHOP OUR FLATBACK EARRING COLLECTION HERE
While butterfly back earrings might seem like an easy option, they’re not the best choice for new piercings. To ensure proper healing and avoid unnecessary discomfort or complications, go for a labret stud or flatback stud instead. Trust us—your piercing will thank you!
So, you've got a fresh piercing, and you're doing everything to make sure it heals perfectly. But here's a question: Is over cleaning your piercing bad? Spoiler alert—yes, it is! Let’s dive into why over cleaning can actually do more harm than good and what you should do instead.
When you clean your piercing too often, it can irritate the area and dry out your skin. Your body has a natural healing process, and over cleaning interferes with that. Stripping away natural oils doesn’t just dry out the skin; it can also lead to irritation, longer healing times, and even infections.
Your body produces natural oils that help protect and heal your skin. When you clean too often, you’re essentially washing away these oils, leaving your skin vulnerable. This can delay healing, which is the last thing you want when you’re trying to heal a piercing.
Now that we know why over cleaning is bad, let’s talk about the right way to do it. You should aim to clean your piercing twice a day. That’s enough to keep it clean without going overboard.
Here’s a simple guide to follow:
Less is more when it comes to cleaning your piercing. Stick to twice a day, use a gentle saline solution, and let your body do the rest. Over cleaning might seem like a good idea, but it can actually slow down the healing process and cause unnecessary irritation.
Getting a new ear piercing is exciting, but it comes with a lot of questions—like whether you can keep using your beloved earbuds. The short answer? It depends on the type of piercing and the earbuds you use. Let’s dive into the details so you can protect your piercing while enjoying your music or podcasts.
Wearing anything that presses against a fresh piercing—like earbuds or over-ear headphones—can cause some serious issues. Here’s what could happen if your earbuds aren’t piercing-friendly:
Some piercings are more likely to clash with earbuds than others. Here’s a quick breakdown:
If you’re not sure whether your earbuds will work with your new piercing, here’s what you can do:
Healing times vary depending on the piercing, but cartilage piercings like the rook or conch can take anywhere from 6 months to a year to heal completely. Even if your piercing feels fine after a few weeks, it’s best to wait until your piercer gives you the all-clear.
While it’s tempting to use earbuds right away, giving your piercing the time and space it needs to heal will save you a lot of trouble in the long run. Take care of your ears, follow your piercer’s advice, and consider switching to alternative listening options for a while.
Have more questions about piercing care? Please remember to follow us on all our socials @Bodyartforms!
