Conflicting info about care? Confused?

[Cloud]

Have you "come across some conflicting information" about aftercare, as one poster recently said? Does this website say one thing, your piercer say another, and five of your friends all say different things? Are you dazed and confused? u:PinkLol

Don't feel bad--pretty much everyone has to mine this rushing stream for gold. u:DD Unfortunately, there's also a lot of just plain wrong info and bad advice, as well as a confusing array of choices for your aftercare.

There are several reasons why there's a huge amount of conflicting information out there:

1) We're making this up as we go along. Through trial and error, aftercare has evolved. Some of the info you are getting may be "old school"; some just flat outdated. New techniques and materials are being invented, and consensus on things is slowly being reached.

2) Piercers tend to be rather extreme individualists. You get every aftercare regime propounded from "do nothing at all" to "put organic honey on 5 times a day and chant under the full moon." Most piercers, even the most experienced and professional ones, can barely agree on even simple things about piercing; and some are of the "my way or the highway" type.

So, what should you do to make sense of all this?

--First, and most important, is to use your common sense and listen to your body. You want to keep your piercing clean and free of infection. During the healing phase, you are going to want to protect it and promote healthy healing. Listen to your instincts--if what you are being told seems too easy or too weird, or too uncomfortable to work; well then.

--Do your research. This is a great place to start. Check out the aftercare guidelines here, and elsewhere on the 'Net, for example, at the Association of Professional Piercers site.

--Listen to a good, professional piercer you trust. If you can find one. Ask questions, find out why they are recommending a particular thing, and make up your own mind. Even if that person's recommended aftercare regime is a little different from the "standard," if you trust that person, and it seems right to you, go for it.

--One place NOT to get aftercare--your friends. Sorry, but after listening to a gazillion, "but my friend said I should do XXX"--this is the source I would trust least.

Remember, there is no "one, right way." People's bodies are different; their habits, and their environments are different. What works for your best friend, your boyfriend in another state, or even most people, may not be right for you. The right way for you is the one that lets your piercing heal the fastest with a minimum of discomfort and fuss. Good luck!

Sincerely,

Cloud.

[Kat Attack is wishing she could sleep!! Updated 45 weeks ago]

I'm stickying this Cloud :)

Can I go and retrieve your old post on salt soaks as well? Copy and paste it into here, or if you can find it or something, it was one of the best threads we've had.

I missed you posts, I'm so happy to see you back.

Great post, great advice, as per usual.

[Cloud]

That's my specialty--pontificating from on high. u:Moon

Just remember to take anyone's advice, mine included, with a grain of salt.

[Kat Attack is wishing she could sleep!! Updated 45 weeks ago]

Rather literally on your opinion on salt soaks.
Speaking of which, I've read through your message and think it's all spot on, so I'm gonna copy and paste it to here.

Cloud on salt soaks:

[quote]
Like Chicken Soup for Your Piercings

Basic Recipe: 1/4 teaspoon to 1 cup (8 oz) water. The correct proportions are very important for the process to work. If the solution is too weak, it will be ineffective; if too strong, it may cause the cells to swell and burst, irritating your piercing and the skin around it.

The Salt: Use sea salt, not regular table salt (which has ingredients added to prevent it from clumping; it may also have iodine or other undesirable ingredients). Look for salt labeled, “non-iodized sea salt” in grocery or health food stores. Sea salt is not kosher salt, rock salt, or Epsom salts.

Mix it: Mix the measured amount of salt in a clean container with very warm, not hot, water, or pop it in the microwave for thirty seconds or so (don't burn yourself). Bottled or distilled water are optimal but not required.

Soak: Once or twice a day for 5-10 minutes. Soak before showering, or rinse afterwards with clear water. Use a cup or bowl. You may have to lie on the floor, or lean over a table; for navel piercings lean over and seal the cup onto the area to create a vacuum. You can saturate a sterile gauze pad or a strong paper towel and apply it (but it probably won't be as effective). Cotton balls or buds may leave fibers in the piercing—a bad idea. Don't forget to rinse with clear water to remove salt residue.

The whys and wherefores: Remember that piercings heal from the outside in, and soaking helps irrigate and drain the wound. A warm, mild salt water solution soothes and helps to clean crusties off. The difference in alkalinity between the saltwater and the surface of your skin draws out the fluid and other matter that accumulates in the wound. Hot water also opens the capillaries, bringing blood flow and therefore oxygen to the piercing site, encouraging healing.

Note: Soaking is not cleaning! Be clear on the difference between soaking and cleaning. Cleaning with mild soap (also recommended for proper piercing care) is meant to reduce surface dirt and microorganisms on the skin which can cause infection.
[/quote]

[Cloud]

Kat Attack, I appreciate it very much, but -- no one will ever read it here! Can we have a separate sticky for sea salt soaks? Or maybe rename this thread and reverse the order? The instructions on soaking are probably more important than my little lecture about aftercare.

[Kat Attack is wishing she could sleep!! Updated 45 weeks ago]

I'll reverse the order, Don't want to have too many stickies :)

[DC83252]

I tend to research everything and when it comes to healing piercings I agree with most even though they vary on some things. I have also read procedures from some piercers that make me think for them that breathing being a natural function is a good thing.
Do your homework and do not be afraid to ask why do you want me to use such and such. You are the one who will suffer from bad advice.

[El]

My nipple and clithood piercings are about 3 years old now, maybe 3 1/2, and are long since healed. I still remember mixing sea salt in little dixie cups, propping the pillows up on my bed and holding the cups over my nipples for the soak. I never had any issues with infection and they healed wonderfully. As did the clithood piercing (same method used).

Showering daily, and using just a normal soap to soap the rings and turn them, then rinse, worked as well with no drying out from anti-bacterial soap. Just keep it clean and let them 'breathe' often (no bra or underwear) periodically during the day. (And no, I don't mean outdoors *L*)

Sea-salt and warm water and daily cleansing - excellent regiment!

[Cloud]

The current thinking is that turning is harmful to the delicate healing skin inside the piercing; so--no need to turn, and especially don't force them to turn. If they turn by themselves, fine.

[El]

Hi Cloud!

I have gold rings through the nipples and the piercer told me to make sure the "crusties" (that sounds awful doesn't it?) had to be removed first and that they had to be turned so that the skin didn't stick to them. Has that changed? I never had any problem turning mine, but made sure they were wet and cleaned (did it in the shower) before they were turned.

- El