Rachel-Rebecka, female, 20 years old, full-figured, proud BC resident. Currently engaged to boyfriend of almost three years, David. Metal head, pierced {24x} and inked {3x}. Addicted to Bones, Subway and Coca-Cola. Swears too much, wears too much black and listens to music way too loud. Loves being a loser.
THE GOODiES >> FACiAL PiERCiNG CARE
Earlobe and septum piercings - healing time approx. 2 months.
Ear cartilage, nostril and eyebrow piercings - healing time approx. 3 to 6 months.
Wash your hands thoroughly before touching your piercing or jewelry.
Clean your piercing twice a day using a liquid anti-bacterial soap. The shower provides the best place to adequately lather and rinse piercings.
Suggested name brands include:
- Provon (active ingredient: chloroxylenol/PCMX)
- Satin (active ingredient: chloroxylenol/PCMX)
- Softsoap (active ingredient: triclosan)
Soaps containing PCMX have been tested to be more effective against a broader ranger of bacteria and yeast than soaps containing triclosan.
Over-cleaning can irritate the piercing so do not clean more often unless the piercing has been exposed to dirt, sweat or bodily fluids. Saline solution may be used to remove dried discharge between cleanings.
Wash and rinse your hands. Remove any dried discharge from the jewelry using a cotton swab and warm water before rotating the jewelry; do not use your fingernails. Apply the soap around the piercing and work it into a lather while rotating the jewelry for at least 15 seconds. All the lather to saturate the piercing for approximately 3 minutes. Rinse your piercing, jewelry, and the surrounding area thoroughly under running water. While rinsing, rotate the jewelry several times.
Do not use a washcloth or sponge to clean your piercing. Cloths and sponged trap and collect bacteria and mildew.
Rinse your piercing and jewelry thoroughly with water after showering or bathing to remove soap residues.
Dry the piercing using tissue or cotton swabs. Bacteria thrive in warm, moist environments.
If using soap is too difficult because of the location of your piercing, you may use an antiseptic containing benzalkonium chloride or benzethonium chloride. Suggested brands include Sensitive Ears and Pleasurable Piercings Topical Care. Do not use a solution containing isopropyl alcohol. Remove dried discharge using a cotton swab and hot water, or the antiseptic solution before rotating the jewelry; do not use your fingernails. The disinfectant should be applied to both entrances while rotating the jewelry. Rinsing the piercing under running water is suggested to remove any bacteria or antiseptic residues.
Saline solution should be used to clean the inside entrance of nostril piercings.
DO NOT use Betadine (povidone-iodine), isopropyl rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or Hibiclens to clean your piercing. DO NOT use antibiotic ointments. Antibiotic ointments are contraindicated for use in puncture would and for the extended period of time required for healing a piercing. Ointments do not clean the piercing.
The most frequent causes of infection are touching the piercing or the jewelry with unwashed hands or contact with unclean items such a bedding, or hair. Do no wear hats or bandanas over ear and eyebrow piercings. In the case of ear piercings, use the opposite ear for telephones, or place a clean tissue between the ear and the receiver. Do not allow your piercing to come into contact with cosmetics, lotions, perfumes, or hairsprays.
After the healing process is complete, you should continue to clean your piercing once a day as part of your bathing or showering routine to prevent build-up of dirt and dead skin cells.
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