Tips for keeping piercings clean and getting rid of piercing bumps
Piercings are currently very popular, but keeping them clean and infection free can be a difficult task. Piercing bumps, known as keloids, are red bumps that appear when the piercing has been irritated or the jewellery has been changed too quickly. Whilst you should always ask your piercer for their advice, here are a few tips and tricks to keep your piercings clean.
Tea tree oil is an amazing and cheap way of getting rid of piercing bumps. Only use tea tree oil if you have an active piercing bump, as it can be harsh and drying on normal skin. The bump may turn red and look slightly sore, but should heal up within a few days after applying with a cotton bud twice a day. Tea tree oil is sold in most drugstores, such as Superdrug, and can also be used to help heal spots due to its anti-bacterial properties.
Weekly sea salt soaks are always recommended by professionals, although the amount will differ depending on what type of piercing you have. They’re very easy to do, mixing a few tablespoons full of sea salt with a mug full of boiled water. Leave it to cool and don’t burn yourself, but make sure the mixture is still hot. You can use a cotton bud to wipe the sea salt solution onto the piercing directly, or use a towel if it covers a wider area. Always make sure the salt you buy isn’t just regular table salt, or else the solution won’t help your piercing heal as nicely.
A similar technique is using a sterile saline solution to clean the area, either pouring a few drops on directly or using the cotton bud method. This is a great method for those who are travelling or don’t have time to mix their own solution, as carrying a small travel sized bottle is much easier than bringing sea salt everywhere. Yet again, make sure to ask your piercer if they recommend this, but using a sterile solution helped to get rid of the piercing bump I developed on my nose after getting makeup into the area.
While I’ve used every method listed above, I did
recently use one particular product that seemed like an absolute miracle. ASAP365’s Silver Gel cleared up very new piercing bump within just two days. I dabbed a small amount of the gel onto my piercing three times a day, leaving it to soak into the skin naturally. After just a few hours, the fresh bump looked noticeably smaller and soothed – 24 hours later, and it was completely gone. The gel promotes natural healing and hydrates the skin, which makes it the perfect product to heal up those pesky bumps.