Piercing Self-Care: Before, During & After

I have had *many* piercings over the years, so I thought this collaborative post would be a really interesting one to share. Taking care of your piercings is SO important!!

Most people who have had piercings have all experienced that initial piercing pain, and as a result, may vow never to pierce anything else ever again. But sometimes, when we are looking to expand our sense of style, we may consider a different type of piercing, for example in the tragus area, but it's important to remember that you have to look after yourself before, during, and after you've undergone painful piercings in a sensitive area.

When we make changes to our style, there's that period of time where you need to allow yourself time to come to terms with the look and let it bed in, but in comparison to something like dying your hair, piercings can come with quite a bit of pain if you let it. This is why it's always a good idea to have some self-care practices in place. Here are a few things to consider.

Understand the Issues With Your Chosen Piercing

There are many popular options, for example, the earlobe, the tragus, and the helix, but there are also other parts of the ear that look great, for example, a rook piercing, which is the cartilage piercing in the uppermost ridge of your inner ear. A place like this can look fantastic but is very sensitive. Choosing your ideal location in relation to your pain sensitivity requires you to do a bit of research.

Opt for Needles, Not Guns

When you are undergoing a piercing, it is better with a needle because the piercer will have more control over the accuracy and the needle is sterile, because if you use a gun, it forces the earring through with pressure, resulting in a lot of unnecessary damage to the tissue.

Staying Hydrated

When going for a piercing, you need to make sure that you avoid additional trauma to the area, as infections can occur from accidental snagging on the new piercings, for example, during sleep. If you like to consume alcohol, be aware that it may dry the piercing out, and if it gets too dry, it can open the wound, resulting in cracking and bleeding.

Conducting Proper Hygiene

It sounds simple and obvious, but after you get a piercing you've got to make sure that you stay on top of your hygiene. There are many places you need to look after, especially if you are getting piercings in sensitive areas. This is why the aforementioned hydration can make a big difference, but also make sure that you avoid perfumed soaps, clean the pierced area when you take the piercing out, use a clean cotton pad dipped in a salt solution, and keep an eye out for any abnormal discharge with discolouration. And, of course, you need to wash your hands thoroughly with warm water!

When it comes to piercings, a lot of us opt for the ears, but there's a whole world of options out there. But it's important that you go into it with the right mindset, as well as the right habits!