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Sarah Mitchell โ€” Reviewed writer, former magazine editor
Approved Guide

How to Handle Heal an Industrial Piercing Step by Step

When heal an industrial piercing leaves you confused, worried, or unsure what it means, a clear step-by-step approach can help you sort the signal from the stress. This guide explains how to understand the situation, reflect on what matters, choose a practical next step, and know when to ask for trusted support.

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1

Wash your hands before cleaning the piercing site.

Wash your hands before cleaning the piercing site.
Use soap and warm water to thoroughly clean your hands before you clean your ears to avoid introducing bacteria. Never touch the piercing site without washing your hands while the piercing is healing.
  • Avoid touching the piercing site with unwashed hands.
  • Wash your hands frequently throughout the day.
  • Use soap and warm water to thoroughly clean your hands before you clean your ears to avoid introducing bacteria.
  • Never touch the piercing site without washing your hands while the piercing is healing.
  • Use soap and warm water to thoroughly clean your hands before you clean your ears to avoid introducing bacteria.
2

Buy saline solution to clean your piercings or make your own.

Buy saline solution to clean your piercings or make your own.
There are several commercial saline solutions available โ€” your piercer might have one they recommend. It's also easy to make your own solution and you'll save some money by doing so. Simply dissolve 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon (0.75 to 1.42 grams) of non-iodized sea salt in one cup (8 ounces or 250 ml) of warm distilled or bottled water.
  • Use a clean glass jar for mixing your solution.
  • Avoid using tap water, as it may contain bacteria or other contaminants.
  • There are several commercial saline solutions available โ€” your piercer might have one they recommend.
  • It's also easy to make your own solution and you'll save some money by doing so.
  • Simply dissolve 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon (0.75 to 1.42 grams) of non-iodized sea salt in one cup (8 ounces or 250 ml) of warm distilled or bottled water.
3

Soak the piercing area at least twice a day.

Soak the piercing area at least twice a day.
The location of an industrial piercing can make it difficult to completely submerge it in the sea-salt solution, which would be ideal. If you put your solution into a large bowl, you might be able to lower the top of your ear into the solution. You can also hold a soaked cloth or cotton swab to the piercing site.
  • Soak for 5-7 minutes to keep the area clean and promote healing.
  • Avoid soaking in hot water, as it may cause irritation or delay healing.
  • The location of an industrial piercing can make it difficult to completely submerge it in the sea-salt solution, which would be ideal.
  • If you put your solution into a large bowl, you might be able to lower the top of your ear into the solution.
  • You can also hold a soaked cloth or cotton swab to the piercing site.
4

Shield the piercing site from cosmetics or hair products.

Shield the piercing site from cosmetics or hair products.
Spray products can easily get in the piercing site and cause an infection or make it take longer to heal. Covering your ear with a light cloth or even your (clean) hand should do the trick.
  • Use a clean towel to cover your ear when applying makeup or using hair products.
  • Avoid touching the piercing site after applying these products.
  • Spray products can easily get in the piercing site and cause an infection or make it take longer to heal.
  • Covering your ear with a light cloth or even your (clean) hand should do the trick.
  • Spray products can easily get in the piercing site and cause an infection or make it take longer to heal.
5

Arrange Your Hair and Pillowcase

Arrange Your Hair and Pillowcase
The hair around your ear can be a breeding ground for bacteria, so it's essential to keep it away from the piercing site. You should also put a clean T-shirt over your pillowcase each night to prevent dirt and dust from falling onto the piercing.
  • Style your hair in a way that keeps it away from your ear.
  • Wear a hat or use a hair tie when you're not styling your hair.
  • The hair around your ear can be a breeding ground for bacteria, so it's essential to keep it away from the piercing site.
  • You should also put a clean T-shirt over your pillowcase each night to prevent dirt and dust from falling onto the piercing.
  • Style your hair in a way that keeps it away from your ear.
  • Wear a hat or use a hair tie when you're not styling your hair.
6

Avoid Oceans, Lakes, Pools, and Hot Tubs

Avoid Oceans, Lakes, Pools, and Hot Tubs
It's best to avoid any body of water while your piercing is healing. This includes oceans, lakes, pools, and hot tubs. The salt in these bodies of water can irritate the piercing and cause infection.
  • Avoid swimming or participating in water activities for at least 2 months after getting pierced.
  • Be cautious when using a pool or hot tub, as chlorine and other chemicals can irritate the piercing.
  • The salt in these bodies of water can irritate the piercing and cause infection.
  • Avoid swimming or participating in water activities for at least 2 months after getting pierced.
  • Be cautious when using a pool or hot tub, as chlorine and other chemicals can irritate the piercing.
  • The salt in these bodies of water can irritate the piercing and cause infection.
7

Monitoring for Keloids

Monitoring for Keloids
Keloids are raised, thick scars that can form on the skin after a piercing. They're more common in people with darker skin tones, but anyone can get them. If you notice any signs of keloid formation, such as redness or swelling around the piercing site, take action to prevent it from becoming too large.
  • Distinguish between an infection and a keloid by looking for signs like redness, swelling, or increased pain.
  • Cover the piercing with petroleum jelly and a bandage to protect it from irritation.
  • Keloids are raised, thick scars that can form on the skin after a piercing. They're more common in people with darker skin tones, but anyone can get them.
  • If you notice any signs of keloid formation, such as redness or swelling around the piercing site, take action to prevent it from becoming too large.
  • Distinguish between an infection and a keloid by looking for signs like redness, swelling, or increased pain.
8

Removing Keloids

Removing Keloids
If you do develop a keloid, there are several treatments that can help remove it. These include silicone gel bandages, moisturizing oils, and professional removal by a doctor or dermatologist.
  • Apply silicone gel bandages to the affected area to reduce swelling and flatten the keloid.
  • Moisturize your skin regularly with oils that can help soften the scar tissue.
  • Keloids are raised, thick scars that can form on the skin after a piercing. They're more common in people with darker skin tones, but anyone can get them.
  • If you do develop a keloid, there are several treatments that can help remove it.
  • Apply silicone gel bandages to the affected area to reduce swelling and flatten the keloid.
  • Moisturize your skin regularly with oils that can help soften the scar tissue.
  • Keloids are raised, thick scars that can form on the skin after a piercing. They're more common in people with darker skin tones, but anyone can get them.
  • Apply silicone gel bandages to the affected area to reduce swelling and flatten the keloid.

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