Body piercing

Body piercing usually refers to the piercing of a part of the human body for the purpose of wearing jewelry in the opening created. Body piercing is a form of body modification. The word "piercing" can refer to the act or practice of body piercing, or to a specific pierced opening in the body.

The healing process and body piercing aftercare

A new piercing will be sore, tender or red for several days up to three weeks. Complete healing normally takes several weeks or more. The below table has more specific healing time estimates. During this period, care must be taken to avoid infection. Touching--or, for genital and oral piercings, sexual activity--is usually discouraged.

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Over time, after the piercing, the resulting wound is allowed to heal, forming a tunnel of scar tissue called a fistula. When the piercing has fully healed, the initial jewelry may be changed or removed for short periods.

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Behaviors which tend to support successful healing

• Revisiting the piercer for an evaluation at any time, if needed
• Practicing good hygiene
• Following the recommended aftercare guidelines

Behaviors which tend to contribute to unsuccessful healing

• Contact between the new piercing and another person's skin
• Touching the piercing, unless cleaning it, in which case only with washed hands
• Smoking and drinking alcohol(in the case of oral piercings)
• Contact between the piercing and bodily fluids, perfume or cosmetics
• Oral sex and genital intimacy, where this could cause one of the above
• Swimming in public swimming pools, lakes, rivers, streams, and oceans as they may be too harsh to promote skin cell healing. Chlorine in swimming pool water may be an irritant. Bacteria, protozoa, and parasites found in non-chlorinated water can lead to infections.

Cleaning

Oral piercings

For tongue, lip, cheek and labret piercings, it is recommended to rinse the mouth after eating and drinking (except water). One should also not smoke while having an open wound in their mouth. Some piercers recommend using Listerine, while others, claiming that Listerine is too harsh on the piercing thereby hindering the healing process, recommend a non-alcoholic mouthwash such as Oral-B Non-Alcoholic or Biotene, or a diluted saline solution. Kissing and oral sex are advised against for 4-6 weeks after the piercing, as are excessively cold, hot, or spicy foods.

Related Topics:
Mouthwash - Saline

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Genital piercings

It is recommended that both male and female piercings are cleaned with saline solution, as with other piercings. Tight clothing and genital intimacy are recommended against for a period of 4-6 weeks. The urine of the pierced person is sterile (to them), so will not infect their piercings.

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Most other piercings

For piercings other than oral and genital, soaking in saline solution, either pre-packaged or home-mixed (1/8 to 1 tsp sea salt to 8 oz. water) is a technique often recommended and used. Antiseptic rinses are generally not recommended, as they can be too harsh on the exposed flesh. Rotation of the body piercing jewelry is not recommended by many piercers as it can pull in dirt and bacteria into the piercing, and irritate the fistula which is trying to form.

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Changing of initial jewelry to allow for swelling

For some piercings (in particular tongue piercings) changing the initial jewelry is an essential step. In the case of tongue piercing this is because the initial jewelry is significantly longer than the jewelry for a healed piercing, to allow for swelling.

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Approximate healing times

The length of time required for healing a given piercing will vary according to many factors, including but not limited to the type of piercing and jewelry, the aftercare, and the overall health of the person. The following table provides typical estimates (with superficial healing accomplished at the lower time range and more complete healing occurring at the higher time range) and should be used as a general guide only. A professional piercer should be consulted for specific information. Most Medical doctors cannot be relied on for information, as the average doctor would be more inclined to treat an open wound to close it, as opposed to healing a wound open. Also, many are biased, so your best bet is to contact your piercer directly.

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