Keep it clean.

Wash the piercing 2-3 times a day with a basic antibacterial soft soap. Most brands will work as long as it says antibacterial, antimicrobial or germicidal clearly on the label. In my experience, cheaper is usually better. Avoid soaps that have a lot of dyes and perfumes.

Lather the piercing using a cotton swab and soap. Rinse with clean water. Dab dry with a disposable paper towel.

At least once a day, soak the piercing with a saline solution. Either using store bought wound care saline or homemade (4 tea spoons of non-iodine sea salt mixed into a gallon of distilled water); pour the saline into a clean shot glass or coffee cup and warm it in the microwave for 10 seconds. Using a cotton ball, soak up the saline and place it gently on the piercing site. Let it soak for 30 seconds or so and dab the area dry with a disposable paper towel if needed. Multiple soaks throughout the day will help with any redness, irritation or itching should they arise.

Don't mess with it.

Hands are the biggest culprit as far as the transmission of infectious matter. Avoid touching or playing with your piercing while it is healing. There is no need to twist or turn piercings while healing and more often than not that traumatizes the healing tissue. Scabby material is very common around healing piercings and should be treated like scabs. If you must touch the piercing, do so with clean freshly washed hands and a saline soak is recommended afterward.

Don’t put it where it doesn’t belong

For the first six weeks, minimize exposure to filth. Primarily that means to avoid submerging the piercing underwater. When underwater, anything floating in that water goes into the piercing. This means avoiding lakes, rivers, oceans, pools, hot tubs, and baths. Water hitting the piercing site is fine; so rain, sweat, and showers are not a problem. Dusty or dirty environments should also be avoided. If the piercing is exposed to any of these situations, a saline soak immediately afterward is strongly suggested.

Using a sterile bandage or dressing should be considered when necessary. Take care during application not to get any adhesive material on the jewelry as that can be a bacterial magnet. Occlusive (waterproof) bandages should be kept on for as little time as possible as air exposure is part of the wound healing process.

Healing cycles vary from person to person and from piercing to piercing. If you are unsure how long you should keep up the aftercare or if anything occurs with the piercing that was not expected, you should contact your piercer as soon as you are able.

Of course you should always consult with your health care practitioner at the first sign of infection or allergic reaction. Please report any diagnosed infection, allergic reaction, or adverse reaction to the Texas Department of State Health Services at 1-888-839-6676.