Piercing, tattoos, body scarifications and other body modifications are maybe the most popular body decoration in the past few years. People are getting tattoos and piercings every day. However, here is a list of what you should avoid during the healing time:

Lavender Oil
This essential oil lubricates the piercing and is reputed to reduce scar tissue and prevent tightening. It must be used in its dilute form, a drop applied to each side of the piercing with a cotton bud, the excess removed, and then the jewelry moved back and forth through the piercing. The correct dilution is 10 drops lavender oil in 15mls grape seed or sweet almond oil.

Smoking
Smoking slows healing by suppressing your immune system and blood circulation to the skin.
In a navel piercing it will add months to the healing time. If you cannot stop smoking then you should reconsider having any piercings.

Swimming
Swimming is not prohibited while your piercing is healing, but you should only swim for short periods in pools that are thoroughly chlorine- or ozone-treated. Do not let your skin become wrinkly and soft. If you swim in the ocean or waterways, do not swim after heavy rain. Storm water run-off often contains bacteria and parasites.

Viral Infections
Viruses such as Hepatitis A, B, and C, and HIV can penetrate a piercing that has not healed. These viruses may be present in the blood, saliva, semen, sweat and vaginal secretions of infected persons. Until your piercing has healed avoid any other person's bodily fluids contacting your piercing.

Vitamins
Studies have shown that vitamin C and zinc promote wound healing. Aim for about 2000-3000 mg vitamin C and 100 mg zinc daily. Note that these amounts are not available in multivitamin tablets. Ask at your pharmacist or health-food store for advice on suitable products. If you are taking any medications, ask your pharmacist to make sure there are no interactions between them and the vitamin C and zinc you intend to take. For example, vitamin C can delay the absorption of the contraceptive pill - they should be taken at different times.

Cleaning
You should clean your new piercing twice a day with anti-bacterial soap and warm water. Leave the antibacterial soap on the piercing for a few minutes for better cleaning. You should also clean your piercing if it gets wet or dirty during the day. Add about half a teaspoon of salt in a clean cup of recently boiled water, allow it to cool down to luke warm, then take a clean cotton bud, dip it in the salt water, and gently and carefully clean around your body jewelry. First wet the crust or the debris formed on piercing, and then clean thoroughly and carefully.

Dry your piercing after cleaning. Do not dry with a towel, which may get entangled and pull on the jewelry and may also carry bacteria. After cleaning don’t forget to apply an ointment prescribed by your piercer.

Take a sea salt soak immediately after cleaning your piercing. This aids in the healing process and enhances the body’s natural ability to heal and fight infection. It is always advisable to wear loose fitting clothes made of non-irritating material such as cotton for body piercing.

Tight fitting or rough clothing such as wool should be avoided to aid in healing and reduce local irritation. In case of navel piercing, it is advisable to wear low cut or hip hugger style jeans than high cut jeans which, causes a constant source of pressure and irritation to the piercing.

Avoid:
Avoid alcohol before and after getting pierced.
If your fingers are dirty, don’t touch it. Do not touch your piercing very often. If you are using soap, then it is necessary to use an antibacterial soap.
Avoid entanglements of your new pierced jewelry with your clothes and be very careful not to get it caught on any other things especially if you have a ring.

Avoid getting make-up into/onto facial piercing. Lip and tongue piercing have special requirements regarding what you can put in your mouth! Check with your piercer.

Don’t change your body jewelry until your piercing heals completely.

The presence of chlorine in pools and hot tubs irritate and retard the healing of a new piercing, so carefully avoid it. Pools and hot tubs are a source of bacteria which lead to infection. So it is better to avoid bath in pools and hot tubs till the healing is ok.

If it becomes necessary for you to remove the piercing, then the best thing to do is to go to a professional to have it taken out.

CHECK OUT:

Genital Piercing Risks
Body Piercing-Healing Phases
Saline Solution-What to Use & How to Soak
Antibacterial Products for Piercing