That new eyebrow ring won’t look so cool if the skin around it is red and infected. Proper cleaning is critical for newly pierced brows -- or any body part, for that matter -- and there’s a right and a wrong way to do it. Piercing professionals give specific instructions for cleaning your piercing so the only thing others notice is your righteous face jewelry.
Step 1
Wash your hands thoroughly with anti-bacterial soap and water to ensure that no bacteria could transfer to your piercing.
Step 2
Fill a glass with 1 cup of warm water and add 1 to 2 teaspoons of sea salt or table salt. Stir the water using a spoon until all of the salt granules dissolve.
Step 3
Insert a cotton ball into the salt water and hold it under until it is saturated.
Step 4
Hold the cotton ball over your eyebrow piercing for five minutes to allow the salt water to soften any dried blood or crusty material. If needed, lay a hand towel over the cotton ball to prevent it from dripping down into your eye.
Step 5
Remove the cotton ball and wipe the skin around your piercing to remove the crusted portion. If you have a barbell-type piercing, brush it gently with a clean, soft-bristled toothbrush to remove the crust.
Step 6
Rinse the piercing with cool water by splashing it over your face with your clean hands.
Step 7
Grasp the piercing and twist it or wiggle it slightly to loosen it from the skin.
Step 8
Dry the piercing by gently blotting it with a tissue. Do not rub the skin, as this can cause tearing or bleeding.
References
Tips
- Clean your eyebrow piercing two to three times a day until it is fully healed. After it heals, clean the area once a day.
- In general, it takes between six and eight weeks for an eyebrow piercing to fully heal.
Warnings
- Do not touch your eyebrow piercing unless you are cleaning it. Touching the pierced area increases the risk of infection.
- Do not dry the piercing with a hand towel, which may contain bacteria that can cause infection.
- Do not use alcohol or hydrogen peroxide to clean your piercing, as these chemicals are too strong and can cause irritation.
Writer Bio
Kimberly Johnson is a freelance writer whose articles have appeared in various online publications including eHow, Suite101 and Examiner. She has a degree in journalism from the University of Georgia and began writing professionally in 2001.
Photo Credits
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