Aftercare for a helix piercing is as simple as washing it twice a day with saline solution (or antibacterial soap, says Earnest). The hardest part of the process isn’t the washing, though; it’s making sure to do everything in your power to avoid irritating your piercing.
When should I clean my cartilage piercing?
2. Make sure you clean your piercing. It’s extremely important to clean your piercing two to three times daily during the entire healing process. Even if your piercing appears healed, you should still clean it every day for at least three to six months.
Should I soak my cartilage piercing?
One way to help your new piercing stay healthy is to soak it in a sea salt or saline mixture. Doing this can keep your wound clean and promote healing.
How can I make my cartilage piercing heal faster?
How to Heal a Helix
- GO TO A PROFESSIONAL.
- SAY NO TO THE GUN.
- CHOOSE YOUR JEWELLERY WISELY, AND DON’T CHANGE IT.
- GET ONE DONE AT A TIME.
- KEEP IT CLEAN.
- TREAT YOUR PIERCING TO REGULAR SALT BATHS.
- CONSIDER EMU OIL.
- AVOID.
Should I twist my cartilage piercing when cleaning?
No, you should not twist your cartilage piercing as this can prevent healing. Just wiping the cleaning solution over the front and back of the piercing should be enough.
Should I pop the bump on my cartilage piercing?
Remember: This is not a pimple, so please don’t pop it like one. Since it’s not actually acne, there’s nothing to squeeze out of the bump. In fact, doing so could potentially cause an infection, which is much worse than some overgrown scar tissue.
What color should piercing crust be?
yellow
Crusties—the nickname for the clear or yellow caking that forms around a healing body piercing. Crusties are the result of your body trying to heal itself. This is simply a mix of lymphatic fluid, epithelial debris and dead blood cells which seeps out clear and dries to a yellowish color when exposed to air.
How long will my cartilage piercing be crusty?
After cleaning the site for a few weeks, you will see less and less crusting until, eventually, it all disappears. This is not a process of one-size-fits-all. For some people the crusting goes away in two or three weeks–for others, it can take four or five weeks.
Should I twist my new cartilage piercing?
Method 2 of 3: While it is healing, avoid handling your cartilage piercing for any reason other than cleaning it. Turning or twisting the jewelry could cause an infection. The piercing should only be touched with freshly washed hands. It might also help to sleep on your back instead of your side.
Why is there a big bump on my cartilage piercing?
A cartilage piercing creates an open wound. As it heals, it may look swollen, lumpy, or like a bump. In the days immediately following a cartilage piercing, the body’s immune system triggers inflammation and swelling to heal the wound, sometimes leading to a cartilage bump.
How long do you have to clean your cartilage piercing?
In general, a cartilage piercing can take about 3 months to 1 year to heal completely. During the entire healing period, it is important to not touch the piercing site with unclean or unwashed hands. Always wash your hands with an antibacterial soap before touching or cleaning the piercing site.
What should I use to clean my cartilage piercing?
To clean a cartilage piercing, use a sterile saline wound-wash solution. You can also make your own saline solution by adding 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon of non-iodized sea salt to 8 ounces of distilled water.
How do I remove my cartilage piercing?
Grab the ball or bead with your free hand. Apply outward pressure on the pliers to expand the ring. Once the ball or bead is free, rotate the jewlery out of the piercing. If there is an issue of having enough clearance to remove the jewelry, expand the ring until there is enough.
What is the healing time for a cartilage piercing?
Complete cartilage piercing healing may take up to 12 months, so it is important to take proper care of the pierced area. If you have developed a cartilage-piercing bump, use the following ways to treat it.