How to properly care for new piercings
I asked board-certified dermatologists how to care for a new piercing to prevent infection and scarring. Here’s what to use and what to avoid.
Q-tips Cotton Swabs
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The golden rule of piercing aftercare is to keep the piercing clean using sterile, nonirritating products. Unlike products formulated for other skin care concerns, there’s no need to get fancy to get good results — in fact, the simpler your piercing aftercare products, the better. Here’s how the dermatologists I spoke with approached this highly curated list.
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For piercing aftercare, Dr. Kiran Mian, D.O, a board-certified dermatologist at Hudson Dermatology and Laser Surgery in New York City has a clear favorite product in the NeilMed Piercing Aftercare Fine Mist. As any piercing aftercare should be, it’s a pure saline solution free of preservatives and additives. What makes it stand out as Mian’s top pick is the applicator. “It comes in a mist and it has a little bit of pressure to it that helps to get the saline underneath the piercing,” she says. Getting a spray with the right pressure level is important; the fine mist gets the job done without causing irritation, which is something you won’t always find in generic saline sprays from drugstore brands. Plus, it doesn’t require you to use your fingers or a cotton swab, which has the potential to introduce bacteria.
Another solid saline spray recommended by Mian, this piercing aftercare spray is alcohol-free, free of parabens and fragrances, and also cruelty-free. A bonus for body piercings in hard to reach areas: you can spray it from any angle.
If you are going to opt for a non-spray saline solution (or a generic drugstore wound spray with a more forceful spray) Mian recommends using a regular cotton swab, rather than a cotton ball. “If you use something that’s too fluffy like a cotton ball, you run the risk of getting the fibers caught behind the stopper or the stick and that can sometimes lead to infection,” says Mian. Cotton swabs like Q-tips are also useful for gently removing any built-up crust from a piercing and are more sanitary than using your fingers, she says.
To help soothe dryness or itchiness around you piercing, you can use small amounts of non-irritating ointments for hydration and protection. The tube packaging on this ointment keeps the application smooth and sanitary, and the gentle formula makes it ideal for use around piercings. It also includes avocado and shea butter to promote a faster healing process, according to the brand.
NBC Select reporter Zoe Malin uses this piercing pillow so that she can comfortably sleep and lie down without disrupting any new piercings since it has a donut shape that has a hole in the middle to keep her ear free of pressure and friction. “It’s seriously a godsend for side-sleepers with piercings,” she says. “I use it every night and place it on top of a standard pillow since it’s pretty small.”
Unlike so many skin care issues, shopping for piercing aftercare products doesn’t have to be complicated. The simpler the solution and the fewer products you use, the better, according to our experts. Here’s what to consider:
“It’s important to use gentle, nonirritating cleaning products on new piercings to avoid irritation and potential complications,” says Dr. Carmen Castilla, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist at the New York Dermatology Group in Manhattan. Simple saline solution is best and any piercing aftercare product you use should be free of fragrance and alcohol.
It may seem smart to reach for antibacterial solutions like hydrogen peroxide or rubbing alcohol to clean a new piercing, but both can actually cause irritation and slow healing, according to our experts. “Both can irritate the skin and dry it out,” says Mian. “Hydrogen peroxide in particular dissolves away healing skin. If you have a scab, for example, it will kind of dissolve that scab away, but when a wound is healing, you want that scab so the new skin is able to heal.”
There are two main commandments for piercing aftercare: clean it daily and otherwise leave it alone.
“You want to avoid any tugging or pulling — that’s key when it comes to new piercings,” says Mian. If you can, try not to sleep on a new piercing, according to Castilla (i.e. if you have a new ear piercing, try to sleep on your back). “And be mindful of your new piercing while getting dressed — snagging it on clothing can be painful,” she says.
Our experts recommend using a saline spray once a day to adequately clean a piercing without the need to touch it. Non-sprays can work too if paired with a cotton swab with gentle pressure, says Mian. (If you absolutely must touch your piercing with your fingers, make sure to wash your hands first, says Castilla.)
Using a cotton swab can also be helpful if you have drainage or crusting. “If that happens, that’s when you can use a little hydrogen peroxide to kind of dissolve away that crust without having to use too much force,” Mian says.
Technically, you can use good old-fashioned water and soap (though it should be fragrance-free) to clean your piercing. Just make sure to be extremely gentle and, if you’re using your fingers, that you’ve washed them first.
You should clean a new piercing at least once a day for at least eight weeks, according to our experts. “Healing time varies depending on the piercing site,” says Castilla. “In general, ear piercings take six to -eight weeks to heal; other sites such as the nose can take longer.”
Cartilage piercings can take months to heal, says Mian. “Cartilage takes much longer because it's not as vascular. They'll tell you eight weeks, but I find if you can leave that piercing in for at least three to six months before you change it, that's when it'll be fully healed and it won't give you a problem,” she says. “If you change a piercing too soon, you'll end up with extra granulation tissue which can cause bumps at the site.”
“Avoid hydrogen peroxide; it can lead to irritation and lengthen healing time,” says Castilla. “Alcohol can be drying and lead to irritation at the piercing site.”
You should also avoid over-the-counter antibiotic ointments, says Mian. If you think you may have an infection, consult your dermatologist for a prescription ointment.
For most people, the type of metal in your new piercing won’t matter, but if you have sensitive skin, you may want to choose an inert metal like platinum or gold, says Mian. “Anything that has mixed metals like bronze, nickel or brass, can cause issues [like irritation and reactivity],” she says.
Titanium is also safe for sensitive skin, according to Castilla. Be wary of surgical steel if you think you might be allergic to certain metals as it often contains nickel.
Call your doctor if you notice any of the following signs:
“Sometimes new piercings can drain clear liquid — that's just the normal serous fluid,” says Mian. “If it's yellow, thick, or resembles white pus, that's probably an infection.”
Certain types of piercings — namely the nose, nipples, and belly button — are particularly prone to infection, Castilla says. “Should a piercing become infected, consult your primary care physician or board-certified dermatologist about next steps. Oftentimes the piercing needs to be removed until the infection is resolved,” she says.
The earlier you treat an infected piercing the better — and the less likely that the piercing will close.
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
I am a journalist and former Glamour editor who has covered beauty and wellness treatments for over a decade. For this article, I spoke to dermatologists about the best approach to piercing aftercare, including their top recommended products, what to avoid, and when to consult a doctor about signs of infection.
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