But we’re here to let you know why it’s important to clean your piercings regularly.

Read on to learn more.

Meet the Experts

Why Is It Important to Clean Your Piercing?

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Stocksy

But cleaning your piercing regularly is important, especially if the piercing was made in the past two months.

Think of cleaning a piercing like how you think of brushing your teeth.

Regularly cleaning a fresh piercing may alsospeed up healing time, Frank says.

What Are Signs you gotta Clean Your Piercing?

“Piercings need to be cleaned regularly, regardless of specific signs,” King explains.

If you think your piercing isinfected, seeing a doctor for expert advice is a good idea.

How Often Should You Clean Your Piercing?

Physicians suggest cleaning your piercing two or three times a day while the piercing is in itshealingstages.

How long will that healing phase last?

And you’ll want to clean acartilage piercingtwo or three times a day for up to a year.

How Long Does it Take a Piercing to Heal?

Apiercingis a small wound that takes definitely takes time to heal.

Additionally, the piercing could potentially take longer to heal.

Keep in mind that some types of piercings are more likely to become infected than others.

“It can cause cracks in the skin, delay healing and actually introduce infection,” Frank says.

You should also steer clear of harsh cleansers or acids, King says.

It’s good practice to clean a piercing two or three times each day while the piercing heals.

For one of these cleanings, apply saline solution to the piercing with a Q-Tip or gauze.

A gentle cleanser and water should do the trick for the other cleaning.

Avoid harsh products like hydrogen peroxide, rubbing alcohol, and acids, as these can actually slow healing.

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