To keep your ear piercings and earrings clean and infection-free: New piercings: Clean 2–3 times daily for the first 6–12 weeks using saline or mild soap. Healed piercings: Clean once a week or every two weeks, depending on buildup or irritation. Earrings: Clean weekly if worn regularly, and before and after occasional use. Use mild soap or alcohol wipes, and dry thoroughly. Maintain regular cleaning, especially if you notice redness, swelling, or buildup, to keep both your piercings and earrings healthy.
Ear piercings are a fun and expressive way to enhance your style, but proper aftercare is essential to prevent infections and keep them looking great. Cleaning both your piercings and earrings regularly ensures a safe healing process for new piercings and maintains hygiene for established ones. So, how often should you clean them?
New Piercings: The Critical Phase
If you've just gotten your ears pierced, the aftercare routine is crucial for the first 6–12 weeks, depending on where the piercing is located. Here’s a recommended cleaning schedule:
- Frequency: Clean 2–3 times daily, especially in the early weeks. Stick to this routine until the piercing is fully healed.
- How to Clean: Use a saline solution or a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser. Wash your hands before touching the piercing and use a cotton swab or pad to clean around the area.
- Avoid: Over-cleaning, harsh chemicals, alcohol, or hydrogen peroxide, which can dry out the skin and prolong healing.
Established Piercings: Maintenance Mode
Once your piercing has healed, you can scale back the cleaning frequency. However, neglecting regular cleaning can still lead to irritation or infection.
- Frequency: Clean piercings once a week or every two weeks. Increase the frequency if you notice any buildup of dead skin, sebum, or if you've been sweating more than usual (like after a workout or during summer).
- How to Clean: Similar to new piercings, use a saline solution or a mild soap with water. Gently rotate your earrings as you clean to ensure you're reaching all parts of the piercing hole.
Cleaning Your Earrings: An Often Overlooked Task
Your earrings can accumulate dirt, oils, and bacteria, especially if they’re worn regularly. Keeping them clean ensures that your piercings stay healthy too.
- Frequency: Clean your earrings weekly, particularly if they are worn daily. For earrings you wear occasionally, clean them before and after use.
- How to Clean: Use warm water and mild soap, or for tougher grime, an alcohol wipe can work. For precious metals or gemstones, opt for a jewelry cleaner to avoid damage. Always dry them completely before wearing them again.
Signs It’s Time to Clean More Often
- Redness, swelling, or irritation: This can indicate that bacteria is accumulating, so increase your cleaning routine.
- Buildup on the earrings: If your earrings feel sticky or look dirty, that’s a sign they need more frequent care.
- You’ve recently changed earrings: New earrings or frequent swapping can introduce dirt or irritants. Clean the earrings before wearing and clean the piercings afterward to avoid infection.
Conclusion
Maintaining a regular cleaning schedule for your ear piercings and earrings is key to avoiding infections and keeping them looking their best. New piercings require more frequent care, while established ones can settle into a once-weekly routine. And don’t forget—your earrings need attention too! By sticking to this routine, you’ll ensure your piercings stay healthy, stylish, and irritation-free.