Cleaning Inside Of My Piercings !😬😱

Learning how to properly clean your piercings is super important, especially when they're new or if you have a trickier one like an industrial. I remember being a bit nervous about cleaning the inside of my piercings, especially wondering if I was doing it right or accidentally causing more harm than good. But over time, I've figured out a routine that works for me and keeps my piercings happy and healthy! When it comes to cleaning, the absolute best thing you can use is a sterile saline solution. You can buy premixed options at the pharmacy, or some people make their own with non-iodized sea salt and distilled water (just be super careful with the ratio!). I usually go for the premixed stuff because it's convenient and guaranteed to be sterile. For earlobe piercings or cartilage piercings, I like to gently spray the saline solution onto the piercing area, making sure it gets around both sides of the jewelry. Then, I'll use a clean cotton swab to gently wipe away any crusties or debris that have softened up. The key is to be gentle – no twisting, turning, or forcing the jewelry. Now, for those of us with industrial piercings, cleaning can feel a bit more challenging because it's a longer bar going through two holes. It's crucial to make sure both piercing sites, and the bar itself, are clean. I find that using saline-soaked gauze pads can be really helpful here. Gently hold the soaked pad against each piercing for a minute or two to help loosen any build-up, then carefully wipe. Getting the area clean inside can feel weird, but it's important to allow the solution to get into those areas without pushing the jewelry around excessively. What about the things you hear people use that you *shouldn't*? This is a big one! I've seen people ask about rubbing alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, and hydrogen peroxide for cleaning piercings. From my experience and what I've learned, these are generally a big no-no, especially for healing piercings. Alcohol can be very drying and irritating, which can delay healing and even damage the delicate new skin cells trying to form. Hydrogen peroxide is also too harsh and can cause irritation. Both can actually kill the good cells your body needs to heal properly. So, while they might seem like strong cleaners, they're not friendly to a healing piercing. I also try to avoid harsh soaps, especially those with fragrances or dyes. If I ever use soap, it's a very mild, unscented antibacterial one, and I make sure to rinse it off thoroughly with saline or clean water. Ointments like Neosporin are also generally not recommended because they can trap moisture and bacteria, which is the opposite of what you want for a happy piercing. For new piercings, I clean them twice a day, every day, without fail. Once they're older and more healed, I might reduce it to once a day or even every other day, depending on how they feel. Always make sure your hands are super clean before you touch your piercing! Also, make sure your bedding is clean, especially pillowcases, as they can harbor bacteria that can irritate fresh piercings. If you ever notice excessive redness, swelling, pus, or a fever, that could be a sign of infection, and it's always best to consult a professional piercer or doctor right away rather than trying to treat it yourself with harsh chemicals. Happy piercing!