The Ultimate Guide on How To Clean Ear Piercing

Before getting your ears pierced, it's essential to know how to care for your piercings afterward. One element of taking care of your piercings is knowing how to clean them properly so that they look good, stay sanitary, and don't get infected.

We'll also discuss a few more earring maintenance tips, so you'll have all the information you need to get a new piercing and show off your killer new earrings. Then, we'll show you a few of our favorite earrings you can wear once your piercing has healed. 

What To Expect When You Get Your Ears Pierced

Before we jump into cleaning tips, let's talk about what you can expect to happen when getting a piercing. Typically, you'll either visit a shop that uses a piercing gun or one that uses a piercing needle. Many prefer shops that use hollow needles because the method can lead to a cleaner piercing. It can be tricky to fully disinfect a piercing gun.

You'll also find that many shops that pierce ears are primarily tattoo shops. Plus, after you get a new lobe piercing, you might decide to get that tattoo sleeve you've dreamed about getting. 

Your piercing may sting, but the pain shouldn't be extreme. Your piercer will use special jewelry and can give you instructions for cleaning your piercing, when you can change it, and what to do if it becomes infected.

Tips for Cleaning an Ear Piercing

Once you've finally committed to a new earring, you'll want to set aside daily time to clean it. Cleaning your piercing isn't complicated, but keeping it free from bacteria is essential. Let's go over a couple of ways to clean your ear piercings.

Use a Saline Solution

There's a reason many experts suggest using a saline solution to clean your ears after getting a piercing. Saline may help prevent infections while encouraging your piercing to heal more quickly. This solution also helps flush out any impurities and stimulates circulation. You can use a pre-made solution, or you can make your own. 

Try a Gentle Soap

You can use a mild antibacterial soap if you prefer not to use saline. Although saline may be preferable, a gentle soap makes a good substitute when you're in a pinch. It's a great option if you're on vacation or away from your typical ear-cleaning solution.

What To Avoid When Cleaning Your Piercing

While cleaning your ear piercings is something you should do every day, you shouldn't use improper cleaning solutions.

Here is a brief list of cleansing agents that you shouldn't use to clean your piercings:

• Harsh soaps
• Rubbing alcohol
• Hydrogen peroxide

Each of these can irritate your ears and cause swelling or improper healing. 

Steps for Cleaning an Ear Piercing

1. Before you clean any piercing, wash your hands. 
2. Then, you can apply a saline solution or gentle soap with water to a Q-tip, cotton ball, or soft cloth. 
3. Gently massage it around your earring and piercing. You'll want to keep your ear jewelry fastened during cleaning for the first several weeks. After your piercing has healed, you can remove it when cleaning it.
4. Rinse any remaining soap from the piercing.
5. Use a clean, soft, dry cloth to dry your ear.

Let's say you already have your earlobes pierced, and you're looking to branch out. Perhaps you're considering a cartilage piercing, a nose piercing, or a septum piercing. Luckily, you can use the same cleaning steps for almost any piercing you get. Make sure to ask your piercing artist for specific instructions. 

Taking Care of a Fresh Piercing

There are a few more ways to take care of your ear piercing besides cleaning it. By following a few guidelines, you can ensure your piercings continue to look their best and don't cause you any unnecessary discomfort.

Here are four tips to follow:

Choose a Comfortable Sleep Position

After getting an ear piercing, your earlobe could feel sensitive for a few days or weeks. Sleeping on your side may lead to discomfort, so finding a comfortable sleeping position can allow you to avoid pain and get more rest.

Use a Pillowcase Cover

During the first few weeks, your piercing is more vulnerable to infection than it is after it's healed. One way to avoid infection is to use a soft t-shirt to cover your pillowcase. You can switch out a new one each night to maintain a clean surface and prevent bacterial infection.

Avoid Contact With Water

After getting a piercing, you'll want to avoid swimming in pools, lakes, or other open water bodies. These can contain harsh chemicals or bacteria that can damage your piercing as it heals. Showers are exceptions to this rule.

On the whole, try to keep your ear piercings dry and clean.

Try Not To Touch Your Piercing

It can feel tempting to examine your new earrings, check the stud to see how it's fastened, or fidget with your piercing in general. Although you're probably fascinated by your new piercings, keeping your hands away is the best way to care for them. If you need to touch your piercings for any reason, make sure to wash your hands before doing so.

New Piercings: What To Watch Out For

Perhaps you're still on the fence about getting an ear piercing. There are so many reasons to go for it, but it's also a good idea to know what you're getting into first. 

Infection

As we've mentioned, it's possible to develop an infection after getting a piercing of any kind. Essentially, a piercing is a tiny wound that requires diligent care to ensure it heals properly. Before you commit to your piercing, you might want to make a game plan that helps you avoid infections.

Keloids

Sometimes, your piercings may heal improperly and develop thick scar tissue known as a keloid. If you notice one forming, you can consult your dermatologist or piercer to discuss whether you should have it removed. 

Pain

Before getting a piercing, consider how you'll manage the pain. In the best-case scenario, getting your ear pierced is a brief, pinching sensation. However, if you're getting a cartilage piercing, you may want to use ice to numb the area or take a pain reliever beforehand. 

Earring Style

Let's say your dream earring is a statement hoop earring, and you can't wait to get your ear pierced to begin showing off that kind of jewelry. Before you go in for your appointment, you'll want to talk to your piercer about your expectations.

In most cases, they'll suggest keeping a stud in for six weeks while your piercing heals. Then, you can switch to hoops and other styles.

The Best Earrings From CRAFTD

Whether your ears are already pierced or about to get your first ear piercing, it's never too early or late to stock up on your earring collection. Let's explore four CRAFTD earring styles you can wear to express your style and coordinate eye-catching looks.

The CRAFTD Rose Earring

There are no rules. When picking out the jewelry that fits you best, you can choose pieces with rugged themes or delicate imagery. Our CRAFTD Rose Earring features a classic rose, which can stand for so many things –– romance, eternity, and desire, to name a few. 

Select this earring in your preference of silver or gold for a piece that exudes confidence. Pair it with your favorite chains, or wear this piece solo.

The CRAFTD Dagger Earring

Sometimes, going for a bolder appearance can help you step into a room with self-assurance. When you're ready to step up your jewelry game, try our CRAFTD Dagger Earring. In silver or gold, this piece is sure to make any fit stand out. 

If you're feeling it, try pairing this piece with coordinated silver rings and a bracelet. It can bring up any going-out fit.

The CRAFTD Compass Stud

If you're more of a stud person, that's cool too. Adding a stud to your look is one way to elevate your appearance subtly. Our Compass Stud is a terrific option if you like a more minimalist style. You can wear it in one ear as an asymmetrical accent or wear a pair if you'd like.

The CRAFTD Crucifix Earring

The crucifix is an iconic symbol in many communities. For some, it represents religion. For others, it's a symbol communicating leadership and morality. Whatever it means to you, the CRAFTD Crucifix earring makes a solid addition to your jewelry collection. Wear it in your preference of silver or gold. 

Why CRAFTD Stands Out

Having exceptional jewelry is always best, but it's essential in the case of earrings. When searching for jewelry to wear after getting an ear piercing, you'll want to go with high-quality materials that won't cause irritation or infection. 

At CRAFTD, we use 18k plated gold and premium 316L stainless steel to make all of our jewelry. A bonus? Every piece is waterproof, heatproof, and sweatproof. You can wear CRAFTD earrings and jewelry with full assurance that it will stand up to the test. 

Clean Piercings Complement Epic Jewelry

Cleaning your ear piercing is something you'll thank yourself for down the line. It might seem tedious, but it doesn't take long to do each day. Cleaning your piercings well can help ensure you're able to wear the jewelry that makes you stand out with self-expression.

Sources:

Caring for pierced ears | American Academy of Dermatology Association

How to Clean an Ear Piercing: Top 10 Tips for Proper Care | Healthline

CLEANING AND HEALING OF PIERCED BODY PARTS | Berkeley University of California