Your Comprehensive Guide to Piercing Aftercare, Maintenance, and Complication Prevention

Piercing aftercare is crucial to get a beautiful, well-healed piercing. As a starting point, you should always follow your piercer's advice regarding aftercare. But when it comes to piercing aftercare, you can never learn too much, and it is advisable to be well-informed. Bodymod’s recommendations regarding aftercare are based on the Association of Professional Piercers, the world's largest association of professional piercers.

How often should I clean my piercing?

People who get their first piercing tend to care for it constantly. But cleaning it too often can lead to some problems. A newly made piercing needs to be left alone and not stressed more than is necessary.

As a rule of thumb, wash your new piercing mornings and evenings and anytime it has been exposed to dirt.

How do I wash my piercing?

1. Wash your hands thoroughly every time your piercing needs cleaning.
2. Do not twist, turn, or rotate your jewelry while cleaning.
3. Wash the piercing with ph-neutral soap and rinse with water.
4. You can also saturate the piercing by spraying a saline solution directly onto the area. Avoid dipping cotton swabs or cotton balls into a bowl of solution, as this can leave fibers behind and introduce bacteria.
5. Finally, wipe it with a disposable paper towel.

Why does my piercing smell?

In case your piercing smells, worry not. Your skin naturally generates sebum that, when broken down by bacteria, can create strong odors. To avoid this, use a deodorizing product that can kill the bacteria.

How do I avoid piercing scars?

If you get a piercing, scar tissue will always form. Do everything you can to speed up the healing process as much as possible. The longer a wound takes to heal, the more prominent the scar will become. That’s why you should follow your piercer's advice to the letter and keep a very close eye on your piercing yourself during the healing period.

What should I know before deciding to let my piercing close?

If you choose to take your piercing jewelry out and let the piercing close, you may use a product containing vitamin E to lubricate the area where your piercing once was. Vitamin E helps the skin to contract nicely and is generally a good remedy for unsightly scars. Be aware that you should never use oils in piercings that are still healing.