If you’ve just been pierced or thinking of piercing yourself, keeping your new piercing clean and happy is a necessity. Since I just got 2 piercings in my ear and am currently in the healing process, I thought I’d share how to make a saline solution for piercings that you can make in seconds. Not only is it natural, it’s insanely affordable and the best part, it’s effective.
I just got 2 new ear piercings on my 47th bday. You could say I might be in some sort of identity crisis but honestly I have always loved the look of super tiny, dainty earrings all over one’s ear. Don’t think I didn’t purchase those Amazon ear piercing guns to do it myself. After 2 misfires I decided to leave piercing to the professionals. In the process of getting these piercings the piercer strongly encouraged me to buy the $20 ear piercing solution. I quickly declined, smiled off her disapproval and went on my way. As my inner voice has said many times, “there’s a DIY for that!” Turns out the best thing you can do for a new piercing is a spray saline solution. I’m so glad I didn’t buy it because this DIY requires 2 ingredients, one being water. I made it in less than a minute and even added a couple drops of tea tree to keep infection at bay. Super easy and not $20.
You might be asking, what do you know about body piercing?? Absolutely nothing. I pierced my belly button 3x in high school and am fully committed to adding to my new ear party but other than that I’m just doing what I do which is research and then do it myself. I consulted many different sites on the internet and learned quite a bit. While I can’t speak personally to eyebrow, nose or tongue piercings making a saline solution is a pretty straightforward and a full proof DIY. From my research I don’t believe there is any piercing location that wouldn’t benefit from a salt solution.
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Why I like a sea salt spray for piercing is because you don’t have to use your hands and risk transferring bacteria into your new piercing. I also love that it is gentle. An overly harsh cleaning solution can cause more damage than good. I have also been using an ear bulb to rinse my ear over the sink. Flushing the piercing with a saline solution at the end of the day is a good idea. You could even use a neti pot to pour water over the piercing.
In this post I will show you how to get the water to salt concentration just right so that you don’t irritate your piercing. Using this super simple DIY, you will be on your way to well-healed piercings.
Why Saline Solution for Piercings?
There are many different types of cleaning solutions for piercings but sterile saline sprays are the most effective way to heal from a piercing. A saline solution is a gentle cleaning agent that gently removes dirt, bacteria and debris from face and body piercings. The salt solution can gently clean wounds while drawing out impurities and creating an environment where bacteria can’t survive.
A simple mixture of sea salt and warm water can go a long way when it comes to caring for a new piercing.
Making your own sea salt solution is so quick, simple and affordable. Plus, there are no additives that may not be as natural as we’d like found in store bought versions. Another plus for making your own saline spray is that you can easily make enough for saline soaks or a daily saline rinse which can be very helpful in wound care and healing.
The key to making a safe homemade saline solution is the salt you use and it’s proportion to water. You absolutely CANNOT use table salt. Sea salt is a must.
To make a proper saline solution for new piercings you should add 1 teaspoon of sea salt to 8 ounces of water. The salt to water ratio is extremely important. For a weaker solution you can reduce the sea salt from 1 tsp. to 1/2 teaspoon.
Tea Tree Oil for Piercings:
Tea tree essential oil is known for it’s antibacterial properties. It is a powerful anti inflammatory and antimicrobial. It also has antiseptic properties making it perfect for healing piercings. Tea tree is one of the gentler essential oils as well but because a piercing is such a vulnerable wound, I recommend diluting it before applying it to your piercing.
Tea tree oil can help reduce redness and swelling. It can even ease pain. Tea tree will help keep bacteria away from your piercing.
According to Healthline, tea tree is a suitable treatment for piercings.
Can You Use Saline for Contact Lenses?:
No. Most contact saline solutions contain extra ingredients that can irritate a piercing.
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How To Make A Saline Solution for Piercings:
- Boil water on the stove or in a tea kettle.
- With a small funnel, add 1/4 tsp. sea salt to a glass 2 oz. bottle.
- Allow boiling water to cool then pour into bottle.
- Add 5 drops of tea tree essential oil. This is optional.
- Replace the lid and shake.
I wouldn’t recommend using tap water. Bottled water, distilled water or filtered water is best. I still advise boilng the water to make sure there is no bacteria. Plus, hot water will help the salt dissolve more thoroughly.
How to Use A DIY Saline Solution for Piercings:
- Spray on the piercing 2-3 times a day.
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Proper Aftercare Piercing Tips:
- Do not use hydrogen peroxide or alcohol.
- Avoid hot water.
- Don’t over scrub or rub your piercing. This could cause microtears resulting in a longer healing time.
- Always clean hands before touching your piercing.
- Avoid bodies of water like hot tubs, oceans, lakes and pools during the entire healing period.
- Never change the piercing until the healing process is complete. This is typically 21 days to 6 months depending on the piercing site.
- Do not rotate the piercing. This could cause extra damage and scarring.
- Take great care not to snag clothing on it.
- Over cleansing can irritate and cause slow healing.
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How to Do A Sea Salt Soak:
Warm sea salt soaks can be very beneficial when it comes to new piercings. Like the DIY piercing spray, after water, the only ingredient you need is sea salt. You can make your own solution by soaking a warm compress and applying it to the entire area around the piercing for 5 minutes. A regular regimen of salt water soaks during the first month of healing can accelerate healing and keep infection at bay.
Stick to 8 oz. of water to 1 tsp. of sea salt. Use a paper towel or clean gauze every time you do a salt soak. Never reuse your gauze.
How Long Does A DIY Salt Spray Last?
Because of the addition of salt and tea tree, this DIY salt spray won’t be as prone to bacteria growth but bacteria must absolutely be avoided so to be safe I would make a fresh salt water spray weekly.
I recommend using a small, glass spray bottle that is airtight and can be used quickly. It is a good idea to boil your glass bottle before using to ensure no bacteria is lurking. I also recommend storing your saline solution in the fridge. This will help prolong the shelf life.
Since this DIY takes minutes to make and is highly cost effective, throw it out after 1 week and make a new solution.
When Can You Stop Using a Saline Solution?:
- When the piercing stops feeling sore or inflamed.
- When there is no discharge coming from the piercing.
- When there is no redness or irritation.
Once the above happens, you can scale back using the saline solution. It is recommended not to stop using it all together for at least 1-2 months after the piercing. This can vary depending on the location of the piercing. Some piercings require 6-12 months to completely heal.
If you’d prefer to skip this DIY the Association of Professional Piercers recommends a sterile saline wound wash. It can be found HERE on Amazon.
In my opinion, making your own saline solution for piercings is the way to go. I was not about to drop 20 more dollars on a 3.4 ounce bottle that was mostly water. Caring for your piercing is absolutely vital but using a commercial product doesn’t have to be involved. Enjoy your new piercing and happy healing!!
xx, Jenni
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