Gauged Ears Aftercare Tips

Body piercing is becoming mainstream. Nowadays, there are a lot of ways of self-expression, so piercing is just another one. Ear gauge piercings are unmistakably unconventional. A hollow ring is set in the ear lobe, and then increasingly larger ear gauge stretchers are inserted, until one has a hole in the earlobe large enough for a finger. Like any piercing, ear lobe gauges can become infected if not properly cared for.

Taking care for your gauged ears is not something complicated.

After you get your ears pierced, you should be extremely careful and do your best in cleaning the pierced area. This means, before you touch the piercing, you should always clean your hands with hot water. The best way to protect
yourself from infection is to use an antibacterial soap. So before touching the pierced area make sure your hands are clean.

One of the best things you can do for all healing or irritated piercings is a saline soak. A warm, mild saltwater solution irrigates, cleanses, and allows the cells to rejuvenate. A fresh pierced are should be treated properly. Saline Solution is the most recommended medicament for piercing healing. Saline soaks keep the cells well hydrated while simultaneously flushing out fluid and cellular material that accumulate in the wound. This reduces crusting and helps prevent pockets of trapped matter, which can create unsightly and difficult-to-eliminate bumps. If this debris is not removed, it can impede healing. The warm water also opens capillaries and stimulates blood flow, which transports oxygen to the region, promoting healing.


In the first few days, here is a short guide how to take care for the new piercing:

Remove any dried skin or crusted matter before cleaning your ear gauges. You can use some clean cottons swab for this.

Wash your ear gauges with antibacterial soap no more than one to two times per day. Wash your hands thoroughly. Just to moist the pierced area, you can even use some antibacterial ointment (recommended by your piercing artist) and do a little massage around the the rim of the gauge. This will prevent any types of infections.

Rinse the soap off with splashes of warm water. Don't use water that's too hot, because this can irritate your skin.

Blot your ears dry with clean paper towels, unless you are certain that the cloth towel you are using is clean and has not been used by anyone else. Don't rub your ears, just blot.

Wash the pierced area with sea salt. Dip a clean cotton ball into the salt water and squeeze out most of the moisture. Hold the wet cotton ball against your ear gauge until it cools and starts to dry. Discard the used cotton ball and wet a fresh one. Do this for five to 10 minutes, two to three times a day.

What to avoid:

Changing the jewelry
Saunas, Pools, Sea etc
Wearing hats, unclean clothes
Taking off the jewelry for at least 3 weeks
Touching the piercing with dirty hands. Touching it will cause bacteria to spread and pain.
If you believe you may have an infection, see a doctor or the person that did your piercing.
Do not use rubbing alcohol to clean jewelry while it is in your ear as it will irritate the area.

CHECK OUT:
When To Avoid Piercing
Piercing Jewelry Safety
Piercing Pain & Rejection