Getting a Piercing? Here's How to Keep it Healthy.

Michaela Fath

One of the latest fashion trends requires diamonds, metal rings, needles and a bit of a pinch: the piercing craze. Both male and female students strut down the streets of campus rocking a stud (or four) every day. But, without the proper care, those piercings can cause complications, including swelling, pain, bacteria and bleeding. Before going through with a piercing, it’s important to consider the necessary aftercare tips and tricks to ensure proper healing.

Call a local piercer to inquire about the healing process.

Whether it is a cartilage, navel, oral or any other type of piercing, be sure to pay attention to how long it takes to heal. Although each body is different, piercings such as earlobe piercings take only one to two months to heal, while nose piercings may require six to nine months healing time. Talk with a piercing specialist for a more accurate estimate.

Illustrations by Lainey Douglas

Prepare for minor reactions after getting a stud.

Bleeding, swelling, itching or bruising may initially occur after getting a new piercing. Although it may seem a little concerning, those symptoms can show that the piercing is healing properly.

Be sure to purchase the right cleaning products.

Clair Strode, a former piercer at Decorative Injections on Court Street, recommends sterile saline solution for a deep clean. At Decorative Injections, a four-ounce can of H2Ocean Piercing Aftercare, a type of sterile saline solution, costs $8.

“It comes in a sterile spray can, so you spray your piercing with it,” Strode says. “Therefore, it’s sterile every single time that you use it, and there’s no way to mess that up.”

After thoroughly using the solution and rinsing the area of any residue, gently pat the pierced area with a clean paper towel. Cloth towels may contain harmful bacteria or snag the stud. Sterile saline solution may be found at any drugstore or local tattoo and piercing shop.

Avoid any harsh products that will irritate the skin.

Items like hydrogen peroxide, soaps and cleaning alcohol can dry the skin out, leaving the piercing irritated. Thick ointments can also damage the skin surrounding the piercing.

“If you put a really thick ointment around your piercing to keep it moisturized, it can also clog it,” Strode says. “This will prevent air flow and you’ll have more issues.”

Be aware of what metals are used in each piece of jewelry.

Strode says the tattoo and piercing shop where she was formerly employed only pierces with jewelry made from surgical implant grade titanium.

“That is the type of metal that you can’t get a reaction from because it’s implant grade,” Strode said. “That is why it is a bit more expensive to get pierced with titanium.”

Implant grade is known to be a high-quality metal type, decreasing the chances of an infection. At Decorative Injections, titanium jewelry can cost up to $25 per piece. For those looking to save a bit more, jewelry made from surgical steel is another option. Decorative Injections sells surgical steel jewelry for as low as $6 each. Although it is cheaper, the surgical steel contains nickel, a metal people are often allergic to.

“If you don’t think you have any type of allergy to a type of metal and you’re looking to save money, you should go with the surgical steel,” Strode says.

Do research.

After considering the above factors, if you think you can handle the work that comes with keeping a piercing clean and healthy, head down to your local piercer for the stud you’ve been coveting.