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Body piercings have been in fashion for centuries, and people of all genders get them to look good or make a style statement. Although rare, things can get risky if you catch an infection because of a piercing, which is why piercing aftercare is a must.
When you get a piercing, the body is healing itself in a way. It's like when you cut your finger and start to bleed; the blood flow is what's healing your finger. Your body is doing the same thing with the piercing — it’s attempting to heal the hole and ensure the blood has stopped entirely.
So, aftercare products are simply things that help your body treat that hole while protecting your piercing from infection and other issues that could arise after it has healed. To ensure a safe, quick recovery from your new piercing, we’ve reviewed some of the premium piercing aftercare of 2024.
Our Picks of the Leading Piercing Aftercare
Dr. Piercing Aftercare — Best Overall
Getting yourself a piercing is fun and exciting as long as it doesn't become impossible for you to bear any longer. Piercing may seem small, but it can become a medium for breeding life-threatening infections. With Dr. Piercing Aftercare's help, you can end this type of danger altogether. With thirty-six medicated swabs, this aftercare kit can help treat bleeding piercings within seconds.
As soon as you get the chance, just put the swabs on the pierced area, and you won't have to worry about it any longer. It works well on every body part where you can get a piercing, including your nose, eyebrows, ears, belly, and more. We've chosen this product for the number one spot on our list because of its incredible healing capabilities.
Pros
- Provides an immediate soothing sensation
- Easy to use
- Contains both a cleanser and a skin protectant
Cons
- Relatively expensive
H2Ocean Piercing Aftercare — Safest to Use
When it comes to piercings, you don't just need studs and rings to style your body. You also need something quick enough to stop any sort of infection from spreading. Thankfully, H2Ocean’s Piercing Aftercare Spray is fast enough to soothe your pain. Its high effectiveness comes from the brilliant combination of trace minerals and enzymes with strong healing powers.
Best of all, you don't have to worry about any skin rashes or bruises from piercing aftercare. In a way, this spray is a knight in shining armor that's always there to protect you against the harmful aftereffects of piercing. Even if you accidentally spray it in your eyes, there won't be any burning sensation or allergies.
Pros
- Extremely fast acting
- Spray design is simple to use
- The formula contains sea salt and lysozyme
Cons
- The process is a bit slow
NeilMed Piercing Aftercare — Cruelty-Free Pick
The NeilMed Piercing Aftercare is known for its extraordinary quality, and this spray is a great example of that. This isotonic spray works in the best possible way, no matter the size or place of piercing. And don't worry, you won't experience any unwanted stinging sensations or rashes because this product is free of harmful drugs or preservatives.
Even better, this piercing aftercare is a treat for all the vegan piercing lovers out here because it is entirely cruelty-free. Also, it doesn't matter whether your piercing is in some deep corner of your body or some open area, you can use this spray in any direction.
Pros
- Completely vegan
- The nozzle doesn't leak
- Compact design
Cons
- Doesn’t hold much
BRIOTECH Piercing Aftercare — Simplest Formula
When it comes to topical products that can help heal bruised skin or rashes, it's best to go for those that contain the simplest but most effective ingredients, and BRIOTECH’s Piercing Aftercare fits these criteria perfectly. With only two ingredients, electrolyzed saline salt water, and pure HOCl, this product helps wash wounds and heal them both quickly and safely.
You can use this piercing aftercare spray in multiple ways; for example, if you've gotten a piercing or opted for a new tattoo and your skin is burning because of the pain, this is the solution. Its soothing, cleansing properties can help relieve those painful sensations as soon as possible.
Pros
- Soothing and hydrating
- Possesses anti-aging properties
- Doesn't contain alcohol
Cons
- Has a bleach-like odor
Urban ReLeaf Piercing Aftercare — Most Natural Ingredients
As the name suggests, Urban ReLeaf’s Piercing Aftercare relieves you of your post-piercing pain with its natural, eco-friendly ingredients. This solution can effectively clean, disinfect, and even heal your wound.
Not everybody recovers quickly after getting a piercing — in fact, some people are super sensitive and instantly start getting rashes after the procedure. But, with this formula, you no longer have to endure that hardship; the natural ingredients ensure it’ll work fine, even for those who are extra sensitive.
Pros
- Natural, 100% vegan formula
- Contains tea tree oil and aloe vera
- Helps heal damaged skin
Cons
- Short shelf life
Buying Guide to Finding Piercing Aftercare
Important Considerations When Buying Piercing Aftercare
Piercing aftercare is essential to keep your piercing clean and free from dirt and bacteria, which can lead to infection. Here are some features you should look for in an aftercare product.
Antibacterial
Good ingredients guarantee impressive outcomes, and when it comes to piercing aftercare, there’s not much better than something antibacterial. This is why any piercing aftercare you buy must contain antibacterial agents that fight germs and bacteria that may cause infection.
Salicylic acid
Piercing aftercare should also contain salicylic acid, which helps exfoliate dead skin cells from the surface of your skin where the piercing sits. Removing old, dead skin from the piercing site can reduce the risk of infection.
Soothing
The primary purpose of piercing aftercare is to calm the irritated tissue that has been struck by the needle. To ensure this, any good piercing aftercare should have soothing ingredients that help ease any pain or discomfort you might experience while healing.
Moisturization
Make sure to look for piercing aftercare that contains moisturizers that prevent dryness or cracks around the area where your piercing was placed. This is so the piercing heals properly and doesn't become infected or irritated by too much friction against other parts of your body.
Types of Piercing Aftercare
The two most widely used forms of piercing aftercare include sprays and healing solutions. They're different in their application, but each has its benefits. The piercing aftercare solution is a treatment, while the piercing aftercare spray is more like an aftershave.
Solution
Piercing aftercare solution is a more traditional aftercare product that's meant to soothe and heal your piercing. It doesn't come in a spray and usually takes longer than a minute to dry up. To use this type, you can simply dip a cotton swab in the solution and apply it directly to your piercing. The solution must be reapplied every couple of days for about two weeks until the wound heals up nicely.
Spray
Aftercare sprays usually come in small bottles with a spray top so you can apply them easily without having to dip anything into them. They are meant to help with post-piercing discomfort and should be used immediately after getting your new piercing.
Piercing aftercare spray is a quick-drying liquid that can clean your piercing and prevent any infections from setting in. It's also great for removing blood or other fluids from your piercings.
Perks of Using Piercing Aftercare
- Supports the healing process by preventing infection, which means you can get back to your life sooner.
- Helps keep your jewelry in place while you're healing and ensures that it stays on when you go swimming or start putting on makeup.
- It helps improve your healing time. Aftercare products can help reduce swelling and redness in your piercing, which means you will heal faster.
- Aftercare products can help protect your jewelry from tarnishing and wearing out over time.
