Sleeping overtop long hair that is touching a new piercing could introduce bacteria. This might also cause the hair to get snagged in the new jewelry. It's best for that 6-8 week healing period to keep the hair up in a ponytail or a bun while sleeping.
Especially when good hygiene is an important part of the healing process. But those of us with long hair risk snagging it on your cartilage earring and causing damage to the skin. This can extend the heal time and worse still, lead to irritation or infection.
Dyes and lighters and other chemicals used in the process like toners can all cause irritation to healing piercings. As such it's really important to avoid getting any on your piercings. But no matter how carefully you or your stylist works, it's easy to accidentally hit or bump the area or have product transfer.
To prevent bacteria from transferring from your hair to your new piercings, try throwing your hair up at night - at least for the first month. Keeping it pulled back and away from your ears will not only reduce the risk of infection, but will also keep it from getting caught on your earrings while you sleep.
We don't expect you to stop using hair products during your healing period, but we DO recommend protecting your new piercing from exposure to hair spray and other styling products, including shampoo and conditioner.
It's an especially good idea to blow dry your daith, rook, tragus, forward helix, or navel piercing on a cool air setting, as those nooks and crannies tend to retain moisture. (Make sure to change the filter on your hair dryer regularly). You can also gently dry your piercing with a single-use paper towel or gauze.
Avoid sleeping with wet hair if you have a new ear piercing. The moisture can lead to complications.
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.
It will move around on it's own. --In your shower, avoid any shampoo, conditioner or soap on the piercing. If it's in the water running down over it, that is OK. --Avoid make-up, lotion, or any other products on the piercing during healing.
Your sweat is sterile to you, so shower like you normally do and clean the piercing afterwards with saline or sterile wound wash. Do not swim in rivers, lakes, hot tubs, pools, or oceans until your piercing is healed.
Some common causes of irritation are touching or playing with your piercing, cleaning it too much, wearing overly restrictive clothing (navels and nipples), applying pressure during sleeping or phone use (ear cartilage), chewing gum, grinding teeth, or playing with the jewelry (tongue piercings), having sex too soon ( ...
Wash your new nose piercing on the outside of the nose twice a day. Do not remove the piercing stud when cleaning. When showering and washing your hair, use liquid soap on your nose and rinse thoroughly and gently with running water. Dry gently with a facial tissue or a cotton swab.
Cover your piercing for the first 1-2 weeks if you are around areas that are dirty or filled with dust. No spas, saunas, chlorinated pools or baths during healing. Avoid contact sport or any exercise that may cause distress to the area around the piercing.
Recommended Ear Piercing Aftercare
During the healing period, keep your piercing dry and clean. Do not remove your earrings during the recommended healing period (6 weeks for an earlobe piercing and 12 weeks for a cartilage piercing).
Do not drink a bunch of caffeine or energy drinks before coming in! It will thin your blood and make it harder to sit still. Medication: Pain relievers/ swelling reducers are best saved for after the piercing.
3) It is normal for dried blood or serous fluid (yellow crust) to form around the edges of your piercing. DO NOT pick it away while it is dry.
What are the potential signs of an infected ear piercing? Your ear piercing might throb right after you have it done, and there's a chance there will be a little bit of fluid, blood, or discharge oozing from the area within the first couple of days too.
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!
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.
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.
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.