Step-by-Step Before and After Care for Your New Body Piercing

So, you’ve finally decided to get that body piercing done. Congratulations! The next step? Preparing yourself – body, mind, and soul. No kidding. For such a Big Decision and a monumental life event, you’ll want to research and read up on piercings and come to the studio all ready and prepared.

Read this step-by-step before and aftercare guide for your new body piercing.

Think of it this way: You’re getting a permanent body alteration, and a piercing is a wound! That’s why you need to be at your healthiest on Piercing Day. Keep your health up to promote healing, and practice good hygiene to avoid infections. Follow these general guidelines below.

Getting adequate rest and eating a full meal can help prevent you from feeling dizzy or lightheaded during the session. It sounds so simple but it’s super important! Your body needs to be in tip-top shape when getting a piercing.

Avoid dehydrating beverages such as alcohol, coffee, and tea. Drinking alcohol the night before your piercing sesh is a no-no – even if it’s just a little. Alcohol can thin your blood, making you more prone to bruising or bleeding. Coffee and tea can also increase your blood flow and make you bleed more.

Showering rids your skin of bacteria, dirt, or other impurities that may cause an infection on the new piercing. Pay extra attention to the area you’re having pierced. Moreover, your piercing artist will be working closely (literally) with and on you – so you don’t want him or her to feel uncomfortable.

Showering can also boost your mood, so you’re pumped up and ready to get that piercing job done. Look, feel, and smell fresh and clean from head to toe. For your locks, try TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Conditioner. This gives you shiny, moisturized, and manageable hair that won’t get in the way of your piercing.

Vaseline Gluta-Hya Serum Burst Lotion Flawless Bright cleanses and gives you that glow, by helping reduce dark spots, even out your skin tone, and exfoliate dead skin cells.

Put on Dove 0% Aluminum Deodorant Spray for good measure. It's formulated with Dove’s moisturizing cream for soft, smooth skin and promises 24-hour odor protection. Your piercing artist will appreciate it!

The goal is to make it easy for your piercing artist. Keep the piercing area clean and easily accessible.

If it’s on your ear, fix your hair so it doesn’t get in the way. Going for a nose ring? Don’t wear makeup. If it’s a piercing on your torso or below the belt, wear comfortable clothing that you can easily lift, unbutton, or take off.

How to heal piercings fast? The secret is in the aftercare. The wound should be kept clean, sanitized, dry, and protected from possible snagging or scratching so it can heal quickly without any complications. Below are a few things to keep in mind.

Do this daily. First, wash your hands thoroughly. Then, apply water and soap on the piercing, the jewelry, and the surrounding area. Use a gentle, unscented soap to avoid irritation.

When cleaning, focus on where the jewelry goes in and out. Make sure to clean all parts of the jewelry, too. Once done, rinse off all the soap and pat it dry using a paper towel or air dry the area. You might want to refrain from using your bath towel and loofah for now, as this might snag or scratch your piercing (ouch!).

You might think rubbing alcohol is the solution to disinfect everything but it’s a hard N-O for piercings. Rubbing alcohol can be too harsh for a fresh wound. It can end up drying or cracking your skin and lead to complications.

Instead, purchase a saline solution from the drugstore. This usually comes in a bottle with a nozzle that helps you target spray on the pierced area.

Soak your piercing in the saline solution twice a day or as recommended by your piercing artist. Leave on for about 5 to 10 minutes before rinsing. Again, make sure to pat the area dry.

It’s normal to be tempted or even unconsciously touch your piercing since it’s a new object that’s now part of your body 24/7 – but refrain from doing so. This limits the risk of infections and complications.

At the same time, don’t apply makeup on or near your piercing so you don’t infect the wound. Swimming isn’t a good idea for now, too, as it’s best to keep your piercing dry to promote healing.

Always check your piercing and the surrounding area as it heals. Mild itching, swelling, and redness is common. It might even bleed or scab a little, especially in the first few days after you’ve gotten it pierced. These are expected.

On the other hand, if you think your skin is reacting or the wound doesn’t look good, consult your piercing artist.

Excited to get that body piercing done? Have no fear (er, a little is okay!) as you walk into your piercing salon in confidence, knowing that you’ve done your part in preparing for this moment. You got this! *Holds your hand.*