Again, this is very normal and common and does not indicate an infection. Avoid baths, hot tubs, swimming pools, saunas, lakes, etc. for the first three weeks after being pierced as they contain bacteria which can increase the risk of infection. If you think you have an infection, keep your jewelry in!
All in all, you should remove your jewelry and timepieces before showering to prolong the life and luster of your investment. If you accidentally expose your jewelry to soaps and oils in the shower, quickly rinse it off with plain water and dry thoroughly yet gently with a soft cloth.
You don't have to wait to shower, just don't get any soap in the piercing and use your piercer-approved saline wound wash afterwards.
Yes it is great to wash your hair, just make sure to rinse of any soapy residues after washing. Fragrances and chemicals can cause irritation to ear piercings.
You should avoid swimming for at least 24 hours after having a piercing, and ideally until it has healed properly. While it's still healing, it's important to keep the piercing dry as there's a risk of infection.
Piercing aftercare begins 24 hours after your ears are pierced and will occur 2-3 times per day and continue for several weeks.
Don't eat spicy, salty or acidy foods or liquids while you are healing. Avoid hot drinks such as hot chocolate, coffee, and tea. Eat cold foods and drinks as they lessen swelling. Be extra careful when eating crunchy foods.
Stay out of pools, hot tubs, rivers, lakes and other bodies of water while your piercing is healing. Don't fiddle with your piercings. Don't touch a new piercing or twist the jewelry unless you're cleaning it. Keep clothing away from the piercing, too.
Yes! Stainless steel jewelry will not only resist tap water; it can also withstand rain and many types of liquids. So, if you accidentally get it wet, wipe it off.
General Guidelines for Wearing Jewelry in Water
GENERAL RULE OF THUMB: It's best to take off jewelry before you shower or jump in the ocean. Shower water comes from local water facilities that filter out debris but also add chemicals to clean and sanitize our drinking supply.
When to Remove Your Jewelry. Before swimming and strenuous activities. Salt water and chlorine can damage your jewelry. Add sweat to the list when it comes to sterling silver.
-Avoid using cotton or q-tips to clean your piercing. These fibers can get wrapped around your jewelry and harbor bacteria, which can cause infection.
Flip your hair to the opposite side of your head so you can avoid getting an excessive amount of water or any product in the wound. Make sure you stay in this position until you've completely rinsed the product out of your hair before gently patting your ear dry.
DO NOT pick the crusties off—that's just introducing your dirty hands to a healing piercing and can increase your risk of infection. The best way to clean them is to soak the piercing in warm saline solution, softening the crusties which then come off easily.
It's normal to have some redness, swelling or pain for a couple of days after getting your ears pierced. But your ears should look and feel better each day. If you find that your ears do great and then suddenly start to become red, inflamed or crusty a week or two later, that's usually a sign of infection.
Saliva creates a humid environment, thus improving the survival and functioning of inflammatory cells that are crucial for wound healing. In addition, saliva contains several proteins which play a role in the different stages of wound healing.
If you have no underlying health conditions, fainting during a piercing or tattoo is usually caused by something called Vasovagal or 'reflex' Syncope. This is a reflex reaction to trauma, pain, or any other distress, and is responsible for over 50% of fainting episodes!
Sleeping on your healing piercing, especially ear piercings, can cause it to heal angled and crooked. The pressure from laying on it causes the jewelry to become tilted, and VERY irritated. This will do all of what not downsizing your piercing will do. It's the same thing.
For ear piercings, it is recommended to wait 6-8 weeks before attempting to change your earring. This is recommended as 6-8 weeks is the length of time that it takes for a piercing to heal.
After six months for earlobes and 12 months for cartilage, it's okay to switch from light stud style earrings to light dangling earrings and hoops!
Clean your piercing immediately after showering or styling to avoid irritation and product build up on your starter piercing earrings. Since you will be cleaning your new piercing at least 3X a day, it's important to use a product created for new piercings.
Standard Lobe Piercing
Therefore, it should not be surprising that it ranks low on the pain scale – the general rating seems to be 3/10. A standard lobe piercing can hurt for a moment or just feel like a pinch when the needle goes through.
Earlobe Piercing
Earlobe piercings are the most standard, comfortable, and fastest healing type you can get.