Piercings have been used for centuries by people of all cultures and nationalities to enhance one’s appearance and prove their individuality or status. Today, the piercing culture is very much alive and well, and many people opt to add some bling to their person. In 2022, nose piercings have had a huge comeback with both small studs and more edgy septum rings. If you have piercings and want to practice proper skincare and hygiene every day, here are a few things that will help your skincare and ensure your piercings are painless and beautiful.
Be Gentle
First of all, ensure you have a very soft hand when cleaning your face or any other pierced area. Sure, it’s crucial to clean every nook and cranny, but without damaging the piercing and the skin around it and causing irritation. It’s also important to use gentle products for cleansing.
Avoid Acidic Products
As stated previously, piercings love gentle cleansing without any irritating products. The area around piercings, especially new ones, can be quite sensitive weeks after the procedure, in some cases, even years after. It’s always smart to avoid acidic products that can dry out the skin and cause additional irritation. The rest of the face can handle acidic products like glycolic, salicylic and lactic acid, just make sure to stay away from any pierced areas.
Choose Quality Jewelry
Yes, this is definitely a big part of skincare when you have piercings. Responsible piercing owners always choose high-quality jewelry that will be gentle on the skin and provide easy and fast healing. Instead of wasting money on cheap nose rings, it’s best to invest in a genuine diamond nose pin that will stay stylish for years to come, maintain its look, and allow the skin to recover quickly and effectively. Gold and diamonds are usually friendly for most skin types and don’t leave any ugly marks that can scar your skin forever. Plus, these are very easy to clean and won’t rust or lose color with wear.
Clean the Area
If you have a new piercing that’s in its healing stage, this is when you need to pay the most attention to skincare. You want to keep the wound clean with a sterile saline wash. You can grab a piece of gauze, soak it in a sterile solution and place it on the piercing for a few minutes. These sterile solutions are very easy to come by—you can buy them at your piercing studio or at the pharmacy. Once again, for new piercings, make sure to be extra gentle and not disturb the piercing.
Be Careful with Towels
It’s crucial always to use a clean towel to prevent bacteria from getting into your piercing holes. Additionally, opt for towels that are soft and gently press them to the pierced area instead of wiping the area dry. When you’re in a hurry, wiping the piercings can cause them to get caught in the fabric and yank them hard. Some people even ripped out their piercings that way, so be very careful, especially in the early stages of piercing care.
Don’t Forget to Moisturize
Some people experience slight peeling of the skin around their piercings. Others avoid touching the area, thus leaving it un-moisturized. Well, both issues can be solved with proper hydration and moisturizing, especially in the winter months. To solve your issues of dryness and flaking, use a light hydrating formula made for dry and sensitive skin.
When to Seek Help
Most piercings heal completely within three weeks (earlobe and nostril piercings) and six or nine months (dermal implants, nipple piercings). The process involves some irritation but never any puss or excessive pain. In case you see that your piercing care is not getting your body modification to heal, consult with your piercing artist. Sometimes, if there’s an infection happening, you can get professional cleansing of the area and a prescription for anti-inflammatory creams. All piercing experts and dermatologists recommend regular cleaning of the pierced areas, so don’t avoid skincare in any situation.
If you decide to get piercings or if you already have them, it’s good to know that you can continue practicing your regular skincare and moisturizing. As long as you avoid any harsh products on the pierced areas, you can keep all your most beloved products and enjoy all the pampering you need.
Diana Smith is a full time mom of two beautiful girls interested in health and beauty related topics and alternative medicine. In her free time she enjoys long walks in the woods, hard exercising and preparing healthy meals for her family.
