Piercings: tips for caring for piercings – Prensa Libre

If you are thinking of having this type of body modification, it is important that you know how to choose the material of the jewelry to be placed, as well as how to care for your skin to avoid infection.

by Astrid Morales

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The practice of piercing a part of the body to place an earring or other type of jewelry has gained popularity by leaps and bounds for decades. The ears, nose, eyebrows, navel, lips, and tongue are the most common body parts to do this. However, there are those who choose to embed pieces in their cheeks, neck, arms and more.

Thinking of doing it? According to a publication by Nemours, one of the largest non-profit organizations dedicated to health, before getting a piercing it is important to make sure your vaccination schedule is up to date (especially regarding the hepatitis vaccine B and tetanus). If you have any medical problems such as congenital heart disease, allergies, diabetes, a weakened immune system, or a bleeding problem, they suggest that you contact a health professional before piercing your skin. In the case of mouth piercings, they recommend making sure that your teeth and gums are completely healthy and also emphasize that if you have keloids (excessive growths of scar tissue) you should not undergo the procedure.

The tattooist and body modifier Adrián Méndez explains that the most used materials in piercings are surgical steel and titanium. He assures that although the most used is steel, the second option is more recommended because it is a lighter material and the healing of the perforation is faster and easier. Other alternatives are jewelry made of silver and gold. Mendez suggests considering silver as an option until the pierced skin has healed, otherwise you will be at risk of infection. Regarding gold, he mentions that he must consider that its price is much higher than any other material.

In addition to choosing your piece, you must make sure that the place where the piercing will be done meets certain standards and that the person in charge of doing it is a professional. Follow these tips:

1. Make sure the location is a licensed business and that it looks clean.
2. Talk to the drilling studio manager about it. As in any other type of business, you can review the products and clear up any doubts regarding the procedure. If something makes you uncomfortable or doubts whether or not it's a good option, don't go ahead.
3. If you feel comfortable in the place and make the decision to get pierced, there are a few things to watch out for: the person doing the work must wear new, disposable gloves, the needle used for the piercing must be sterile, as well as the part that will be placed on your body. Before doing the piercing, the area of ​​the body chosen to do it must be cleaned very well.

How to take care of a piercing?

Once the perforation is done, a stage of special attention and care begins with the aim that the healing process is carried out without problems. Follow these tips:

1. Before touching your piercing it is important that your hands are completely clean.
2. If you have some crusts around the piercing, moisten them (you can do this with a cotton swab) and gently remove them.
3. You should clean the area properly every day with non-alcoholic soap and water. Twice a day will be enough. At the end of your cleaning it is important that you dry the area with a clean gauze or a cotton swab. Do not use paper, towels, or your own hands because this could cause an infection.
4. Do not remove jewelry until healing is complete. Also, do not change the part for another, regardless of whether the other alternative is in good condition and free of contamination.
5. Avoid handling jewelry constantly.
6. Do not apply makeup, cream or any other product on the skin when it is in the healing process.
7. It is completely normal to feel a little pain and present redness and inflammation in the area where a piercing is made. However, after three days these symptoms should subside considerably. According to Méndez, in the case of a tongue piercing, it may take between four and five days for it.

How to know if something is wrong?

Piercings are at risk of becoming infected. The reasons are various, but the signs that something is wrong can be easily determined. If the skin is still very red after several days or starts to turn purple, you notice a yellowish fluid oozing from it or you feel a lot of pain when you touch the area, the wound bleeds or it is warm, it is very likely that you have an infection. In this case, it is best to visit a doctor as soon as possible.

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