Although all people & piercings are different, the general mode of healing is the same in most piercings.
On the entry & exit points of a new piercing, basal skin cells detach & swell, they then move across the inside walls of the piercing & form a very thin film of new skin. This layer then thickens over time until a whole new skin structure is formed inside the now healed piercing.
This process is called epithelization & can be affected in many ways, both positively & negatively.
Infections are usually caused by bad bacteria entering the new piercing & then multiplying. These bacteria can come from your own body or from outside agents such as clothing, seating, in fact anything your body touches.
The area around the piercing should be washed gently with antibacterial soap (not mouth piercings) & then dried with a fresh paper towel daily.
It is not uncommon for a small amount of matter (plasma & dead skin cells) to weep from a new piercing. A small amount of swelling is also usual. Neither of these are any cause for concern in a new piercing as long as these symptoms don't continue for a prolonged period.
The chartered institute for environmental health recommends to clean new piercings with a 70% isopropyl alcohol solution. This will clean new piercings & allow the new piercing to stay dry.
We have found that many clients have problems with strong alcohol based cleansing solutions, so we developed a gentle, natural serum that encourages healing while keeping the piercing clean (See Healing Serum section). Using this serum as directed drastically reduced previously expected healing times.
'I developed our aftercare regimes after first consulting extensively with naturopaths, homeopaths & acupuncturists. We also discussed piercings & their healing modes with medical practitioners & developed our aftercare recommendations using the best from all areas of medicine.
Many people with sensitive skin have serious problems with strong alcohol solutions, causing cracking, soreness, inflammation & dryness.
We find antiseptic creams may also cause problems. Once the antiseptic chemicals have been absorbed by the skin, the cream base materials left on the surface can harbour & encourage bacterial growth. Creams also keep piercings moist, encouraging bacterial growth & stopping air reaching the new piercing.'
0.9% saline solution has its uses but fails in many areas. Pure sea salt should be used when mixing a solution not table salt. If the salt solution is too strong which is often the case (0.9% saline is the same as your body's salinity) small salt crystals form in the new piercing damaging delicate new skin & the growth of a new dermal strata.
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