How to Clean Piercings | Heal Right The First Time

The safest way to clean a new piercing is with sterile saline spray, rinse, and gentle drying, done once or twice daily.

For the full breakdown, see our best Antibacterial Soap For Piercings guide.

Getting a new piercing is exciting, but the aftercare decides whether it heals clean or turns into a problem. Cleaning a piercing isn’t complicated, yet most infections and irritation bumps trace back to two mistakes: using the wrong products and touching the jewelry too much. This guide covers the method that piercing professionals and medical groups actually recommend, what to avoid, and how long to keep it up.

The Best Way To Clean A New Piercing

The Association of Professional Piercers (APP) recommends spraying the piercing with sterile saline wound wash while it heals. You do not need to rotate or move the jewelry during cleaning, no matter what an older piercer may have told you. Moving the jewelry breaks up the delicate new tissue and introduces bacteria.

Here’s the step-by-step routine that works for most skin and ear piercings:

• Wash your hands thoroughly before touching the piercing area.
• Spray the piercing with sterile saline wound wash, or apply a saline-soaked compress. Let it sit for a few minutes so softened debris can lift away.
• Rinse the area with clean water to remove any remaining residue.
• Dry gently with a clean paper towel or gauze. Cloth towels can harbor bacteria and their fibers can snag the jewelry.

Mayo Clinic says skin piercings can be cleaned twice a day with saline made for wound cleaning, or with mild soap and water. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) suggests washing pierced ears with a mild, fragrance-free cleanser and water at least once daily. Pick a frequency and stick to it consistently.

What Not To Use On A Healing Piercing

The wrong product can set healing back by weeks. Avoid hydrogen peroxide and iodine, both of which can injure fragile new skin cells. The AAD explicitly advises against antibacterial soaps, which can be too harsh. Skip rubbing alcohol, Neosporin, and Bactine, which may irritate a healing piercing.

Hands-off is also part of the routine. Don’t twist, spin, or fiddle with the jewelry, and keep dirty hands away from the site.

How Long Does It Take To Heal?

Healing time depends on the piercing’s location. Mayo Clinic notes that most piercings heal in about six weeks, but some take several months longer. Earlobes heal faster than cartilage, and navel, nipple, and oral piercings generally need more time. The APP emphasizes that healing varies by placement, so there is no single fixed timeline.

Keep your starter jewelry in place for at least six weeks, or longer for cartilage and body piercings. Removing it early lets the hole close up quickly. If you see redness, swelling, soreness, or yellowish discharge that doesn’t improve, the AAD recommends seeing a board-certified dermatologist.

For oral piercings, rinse your mouth with alcohol-free, antiseptic mouthwash after each meal and before bed, per Mayo Clinic. Brush around the jewelry daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush to keep the area clean without irritating it.

While healing, avoid swimming in pools, hot tubs, lakes, and rivers because the bacteria in these waters can easily infect an open wound. Also avoid friction and pressure from clothing, and try not to sleep directly on the piercing, since both can slow healing and cause irritation.

FAQs

Can I make my own salt solution for my piercing?

Yes, though sterile saline spray is more consistent. If you make your own, Use it as a soak for 5–10 minutes, then rinse.

Should I rotate the jewelry when I clean it?

No. Rotating or twisting the jewelry breaks down the healing tissue and introduces bacteria. The APP specifically advises against moving the jewelry during cleaning. Leave it alone except for gentle cleaning of the area around it.

Does soap and water work for cleaning piercings?

Yes, for skin piercings. Mayo Clinic says soap and water or saline both work. If you use soap, pick a mild, fragrance-free cleanser and rinse thoroughly. The AAD advises against antibacterial soaps because they can be too harsh for healing skin.