With all of the jewelry options, it’s no surprise that this is the first thing on most people’s minds after a fresh piercing. Before touching it, you need to know the normal piercing healing process and why it’s so important.
Infection and sepsis are real risks if you don’t take care of your piercing the correct way. Continue reading below to know what normal healing looks like and when it’s a cause for concern.
Normal Piercing Healing Process
Piercings are puncture wounds with a healing process that need care and attention. You need to allow your piercing time to heal to prevent infection and rejection. Here is what a normal healing process looks like:
- Hemostasis: Defined as the process of stopping the flow of blood, this is the first step in wound healing. Immediately after piercing, the pressure is applied with sterile cotton swabs to stop any bleeding and to allow the blood to start clotting inside the wound.
- Inflammatory: White blood cells are sent to the wound to clear out foreign bodies that irritate or cause infection. The body begins to close the wound and you will notice redness, soreness, clear/white-ish drainage, and swelling.
- Proliferative: This stage of the healing process is when granulation tissue starts forming. The outside edge of your piercing heals first and slowly starts to heal towards the center.
- Maturation: This final phase is when the wound fully closes and lasts from six months to a year.
Once the piercing is fully healed, you can change your jewelry. Learn more @ bodypiercejewelry.com if you’re not sure where to start.
Tongue Piercing Healing Process
A tongue piercing is one of the most bacteria-filled places on your body. You need to be diligent about keeping this piercing clean.
The piercing will feel sore and irritated immediately after and there may be difficulty in speaking. Rinse with a saline solution several times a day and use a new toothbrush after your tongue piercing. This reduces the risk of adding bacteria to the wound site.
Navel Piercing Healing Process
After the piercing, swelling goes down in a couple of days. Due to a higher risk of rejection or migration, navel piercings need to be properly placed and to receive the right care.
Belly button piercings take longer to heal due to being in an area where there’s twisting, turning, and possible irritation from clothing. Healing can take up to a year.
Nose Piercing Healing Process
Depending on the location and how well you take care of your nose piercing, healing time is four to six months.
Rinse the area twice a day with warm water and a saline solution. Resist touching your piercing without first washing your hands.
Nipple Piercing Healing Process
Nipple piercings take nine to twelve months due to the delicate tissue and constant rubbing from clothing.
Wear loose-fitted, cotton clothing for the first few months. Loose clothing allows your piercings to breathe and avoids irritation. Clean twice a day with a sea salt soak.
Let it Heal
New piercings are exciting but to avoid infection, it needs to heal. If you notice anything unusual outside of the normal piercing healing process mentioned above, seek care and advice from a medical professional.
Interested in learning more about health and wellness? Check out other articles on my blog!