Getting a new piercing is exciting! You’ve got fresh jewelry adorning your body, and now comes the important part: keeping it clean and healthy. Many people search through their bathroom cabinets looking for cleaning solutions and wonder: can i use contact solution to clean my piercing? This question pops up frequently, so let’s dive into everything you need to know about piercing aftercare and whether contact lens solution is a safe choice.
Why Proper Piercing Care Matters
Your new piercing is essentially a wound that needs time to heal properly. During the healing process, which can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months depending on the location, your piercing is vulnerable to infection and irritation.
Using the wrong cleaning products can slow down healing, cause irritation, or even lead to serious infections. That’s why understanding what you should and shouldn’t use on your piercing is absolutely crucial for your health and safety.
What’s Actually in Contact Lens Solution?
Contact lens solution isn’t just water in a bottle. These solutions contain several ingredients designed specifically for cleaning contact lenses and keeping them comfortable for your eyes. Most formulas include preservatives, cleaning agents, and chemicals like hydrogen peroxide or polyquad.
While these ingredients are safe for your eyes and contact lenses, they weren’t designed for open wounds or healing tissue. The chemical composition is very different from what professional piercers recommend for aftercare.
can i use contact solution to clean my piercing: The Clear Answer
No, you should not use contact solution to clean your piercing. Despite what you might read in online forums or hear from friends, contact lens solution is not appropriate for piercing aftercare. There are several important reasons why this seemingly convenient option isn’t the right choice.
Contact solutions contain preservatives and chemicals that can irritate healing piercing tissue. Some formulas contain hydrogen peroxide, which is far too harsh for daily piercing care. Others have ingredients that might cause allergic reactions or delay the healing process.
The Confusion: Why Do People Think It Works?
The confusion likely stems from the fact that some contact solutions contain saline, which is recommended for piercing care. However, contact lens saline isn’t the same as sterile saline wound wash. Contact solutions have additional ingredients that make them unsuitable for piercings.
Another reason for the confusion is that both contact solution and proper piercing care involve “cleaning” and “saline.” But just because two products share one ingredient doesn’t mean they’re interchangeable. If you’re looking for reliable health and wellness information, resources like bigwritehook can help guide you toward evidence-based care practices.
What Professional Piercers Actually Recommend
Professional piercers and medical experts agree on the best cleaning method for new piercings: sterile saline wound wash. This simple solution contains only two ingredients: purified water and sodium chloride (salt). That’s it!
You can find sterile saline wound wash at any pharmacy, usually in the first aid section. Popular brands include NeilMed Piercing Aftercare or any sterile saline spray labeled for wound care. These products come in convenient spray bottles that make application easy and hygienic.
The Gold Standard: Sterile Saline Solution
Sterile saline wound wash works perfectly for piercings because it’s gentle, effective, and matches your body’s natural salt concentration. It helps rinse away debris, crusties, and bacteria without irritating the healing tissue.
The 0.9% sodium chloride concentration matches your body’s natural fluids, which means it won’t cause stinging or discomfort. Unlike contact solution, it contains no preservatives, fragrances, or additional chemicals that could interfere with healing.
How to Properly Clean Your Piercing
Daily Cleaning Routine
Clean your piercing twice daily using sterile saline wound wash. Spray the solution directly onto both sides of your piercing, making sure to cover the jewelry and surrounding skin completely.
Letting It Work
Let the saline sit on your piercing for about 30 to 60 seconds. This gives it time to soften any dried discharge or crusties that have formed around the jewelry. Don’t pick at these crusties with your fingers!
Gentle Removal of Debris
After the saline has softened any buildup, use clean gauze or a cotton swab to gently wipe away loosened debris. Never use cotton balls, as the fibers can catch on your jewelry and cause irritation.
Pat Dry
After cleaning, gently pat the area dry with clean paper towels or clean gauze. Regular towels can harbor bacteria and catch on jewelry, so they’re not ideal for piercing care.
Common Piercing Care Mistakes to Avoid
Many people make the mistake of over-cleaning their piercings. Cleaning more than twice daily can actually irritate the tissue and slow healing. Your body needs time to do its natural healing work between cleanings.
Another common error is twisting or rotating jewelry during cleaning. Despite old advice you might have heard, rotating jewelry isn’t necessary and can actually introduce bacteria into the piercing channel. For more answers to common care questions, Just ask genie offers helpful guidance on various health topics.
Using harsh products like rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or antibacterial soap is another mistake. These products are too strong for healing piercings and can damage new tissue cells that are trying to form.
Table: Piercing Care Products Comparison
| Product | Safe for Piercings? | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Sterile Saline Wound Wash | Yes | Gentle, matches body’s salt concentration |
| Contact Lens Solution | No | Contains preservatives and chemicals |
| Rubbing Alcohol | No | Too harsh, damages healing tissue |
| Hydrogen Peroxide | No | Kills healing cells along with bacteria |
| Antibacterial Soap | No | Too harsh for regular use |
| Sea Salt Soaks (DIY) | Maybe | Only if mixed correctly (¼ tsp per cup) |
| Plain Water | Limited | Okay for rinsing in shower, not for cleaning |
Signs Your Piercing Might Be Infected
Even with proper care, sometimes infections happen. Watch for these warning signs: excessive redness that spreads beyond the immediate piercing area, thick yellow or green discharge, severe pain that gets worse instead of better, and fever.
If you notice any of these symptoms, contact your piercer or healthcare provider immediately. Don’t try to treat a serious infection on your own, and definitely don’t remove your jewelry without professional guidance, as this can trap infection inside.
The DIY Sea Salt Soak Debate
You might have heard about making your own sea salt soaks at home. While this used to be common advice, most professional piercers now recommend against it. Why? Because it’s too easy to get the concentration wrong.
Too much salt creates a solution that’s too strong and can irritate or even burn your piercing. Too little salt won’t be effective. Plus, homemade solutions aren’t sterile, which defeats the purpose of keeping your piercing clean.
If you do choose to make sea salt soaks, use exactly ¼ teaspoon of non-iodized sea salt per 8 ounces of distilled water. However, sterile saline spray is much more convenient and reliable.
How Long Does Piercing Healing Take?
Healing times vary dramatically depending on piercing location. Earlobe piercings typically heal in six to eight weeks, while cartilage piercings can take three to twelve months. Navel piercings need six to nine months, and some piercings like nipples might take a full year.
During the entire healing period, maintain your cleaning routine with sterile saline. Don’t switch to contact solution or other products just because your piercing looks healed. Complete healing happens inside the piercing channel, which takes longer than surface healing.
What About Other Piercing Areas?
Different body parts have different care needs. Oral piercings, like tongue or lip piercings, require rinsing with alcohol-free mouthwash in addition to external cleaning. Genital piercings need extra attention to hygiene and may have specific aftercare instructions.
Regardless of location, the basic principle remains the same: use sterile saline wound wash for external cleaning. Never use contact lens solution on any type of piercing, no matter where it’s located.
When to Seek Professional Help
If you’re unsure about your piercing’s healing progress or if something doesn’t look right, don’t hesitate to contact your piercer. Reputable piercers offer free aftercare consultations and can help you determine if you need medical attention.
Your piercer can also check if your jewelry is appropriate for your anatomy and healing stage. Sometimes, irritation isn’t caused by infection but by jewelry that’s too small, too large, or made from materials your body doesn’t tolerate well.
Conclusion
So, can i use contact solution to clean my piercing? The answer is a definite no. While it might seem like a convenient alternative, contact lens solution contains chemicals and preservatives that aren’t suitable for healing piercing tissue.
Stick with what professional piercers and medical experts recommend: sterile saline wound wash. It’s affordable, easy to find, and specifically designed for wound care. Your piercing will thank you with faster healing, less irritation, and a lower risk of complications.
Remember, your piercing is an investment in your body and personal style. Taking a few minutes twice daily to care for it properly with the right products will ensure you enjoy your new piercing for years to come. Skip the shortcuts, avoid the contact solution, and give your piercing the proper care it deserves!
