So you’ve just a got a shiny new piercing! Yay! But in between admiring it in the mirror, you’ll need to make sure it heals properly, so here’s a handy guide to looking after it.

Keeping it clean

First of all, you need to keep it clean. Try not to touch it with dirty hands, wash your hands with antibacterial soap before touching it whenever possible. Most piercers will tell you to clean it twice a day. Use cotton buds and saline solution to clean all around the piercing. Many salons sell antibacterial wash which you can use in place of saline solution. Remember to keep the area around it clean – shower regularly!

Wiggle it!

Once you’ve cleaned your new piercing, twist it around gently. This will eventually coax the flesh around your piercing to heal into a little tube and will prevent it from healing directly onto your jewellery.

Leave it alone

Other than cleaning it, you should try not to touch your new piercing. It will heal well enough on its own.

Know your piercing

When you are cleaning your piercing, use this as a chance to examine the flesh around the piercing. Keep an eye on any changes and tell your piercer or your doctor about any changes straight away, as these may be signs of infection.

Listen to your piercer

If your piercer tells you to do anything not on this list, or indeed contrary to this list, listen to them!