Body Piercing - Healing Phases


Many teenagers are fascinated about getting their body pierced and they adorn them with different types of jewelry. It's better to know all the risks and awareness before you go an make your appointment. If you are considering to get body piercing done, it’s important to know the all the important information about the body piercing.

Healing Process
It is important to allow the pierced site to heal on its own as puncturing of the skin is similar to a wound and it should be given some time to heal. Many people avoid wearing of the jewelry or they try out different kinds of jewelry before the piercing heals completely and this can lead to infections and allergies. Changing of the jewelry will also interrupt the natural healing process of the pierced site. Healing process of any body piercing is divided into three phases and they are – inflammatory, proliferative and maturation phase.

Inflammatory Phase
The first few days after the piercing is called as the inflammatory phase where changing or playing with the jewelry can cause bleeding from the site. Many people also experience symptoms like pain, swelling and tenderness in and around the area.

Proliferative Phase
This period occurs during the healing period and during this phase the body tries to produce proteins and cells for the site to heal. During this phase the edges and the pierced site get healed. Proliferative phase usually takes a very long time during the healing.

Maturation Phase
This is considered as the last phase for healing where the body tries to produce cells that strengthens the lining around the piercing. During this phase the pierced site discharges a yellow or white discharge around the jewelry initially. This occurs when the sebaceous glands in the body produces this substance in order to moisturize the pierced site.

However, the healing time for any piercing depends on factors like place of the piercing and the procedure. Genitalia piercing is considered to be the fastest healing body piercing which gets healed within 4 weeks. Navel piercing takes a very long time to heal and it may take around a year for the site to heal.

The healing time for nose piercing depends completely on the place.

New Piercing and Showering
In the time shortly after you get a piercing, the area is highly susceptible to irritation and infection. It's important to take care of your piercing to prevent infection from occurring.

Shower as normal, but avoid using shower products around the area of your piercing because they can cause irritation. Thoroughly rinse all shower products from your body and hair. Apply saline wash carefully to the piercing area. Do not physically agitate the jewelry. Rinse the pierced area gently with lukewarm water and pat it dry softly with a towel.

Antibacterial soap
There were a lot of discussions about the antibacterial soaps in the past years, and we came to realize that neither Betadine nor Antibacterial Soap is good for healing a fresh piercing as you're attempting to heal the skin within the hole and the chemicals are far too harsh and actually kill off skin cells rather than help with healing. This kind of soaps are good for your personal hygiene. Wash your hands every time you change your piercing jewelers.

Do Not use alcohol-that could sting if it gets too close to the new piercing and is far too harsh for a fresh piercing. And removing the unattractive

Do not wash the area more than twice a day because excess washing could cause irritation and impede healing.
Do not expose your piercing to bodily fluids.
Avoid removing the jewelry from your piercing for long periods of time because the hole may close.
To minimize healing time, avoid touching your piercing other than when cleaning it.

Remember: The healing time for the ear piercings may range from 4 months to a year and this also depends on the the place of the piercing. Follow proper aftercare tips in order to avoid infections and other risks caused due to the body piercing procedure.


Piercing Mistakes
Piercing Risks
Piercing Pain
Piercing Rejection
Piercing Jewelry Safety