Rylie Horrall  | Lifestyle Editor

Getting a new piercing can be a fun, spontaneous activity when wanting to try something new. I was someone who got their ears pierced when I was very young, but as I got older, I wanted to get more — specifically in my ears. One thing I didn’t realize was just how much work went into taking care of different types of piercings, so I thought I’d jot down a few tips for anyone who is pondering the idea of getting one.

• Always remember to clean it when necessary. Piercings can get infected very easily if careless, so it’s important to clean the spot every day for at least the first few months — unless instructed otherwise. Many businesses that offer piercings often will include a piercing care kit post-piercing, but for those that don’t have an after-care kit, use a saline solution to keep it from getting infected.
• Do not take the piercing out until enough time has passed, ensuring that it won’t close. Sometimes the piercing will get infected despite one’s best efforts — and the pain can potentially drive people nuts. Some might think the ideal thing to do is to take the jewelry out, but depending on how much time has passed since it was pierced, it could close very quickly. Others may just be sick of the stud, hoop or bar that is currently being used, however the same problem will happen; it’s important to wait until the hold is healed for a long enough period that it won’t close.
• Use hypoallergenic jewelry during the healing stage. For example, once it’s okay to switch out earrings, make sure the studs or hoops are safe to put into a new piercing. If the metal on the earring isn’t hypoallergenic, it can irritate the piercing and make it become sore or infected, potentially both. 
• Don’t let jewelry snag on anything — clothing, hair, bags, etc. — because it will definitely hurt. Become more mindful of the piercing to avoid hurting yourself; having unneeded soreness is a pain and can be easily avoided. Make sure hair isn’t looped around an earring when putting up hair, or wear clothing without mesh or lace so it doesn’t get caught.
• Finally, try not to touch the piercing too much after it’s first done. Hands can carry a lot of germs, and a newly sensitive area will sap them up easily. It’s cool to see that there’s something new on the face, ear or body, however, for the sake of the piercing, just don’t touch it.

Contact the author at rhorrall17@wou.edu

Photo by Kay Bruley