How to Clean Your Piercings and Jewelry for Better Healing

Getting a new piercing is exciting, but the real magic happens afterward — when you care for it properly and help it heal beautifully. At Identity Body Piercing, we want every client to have the best possible healing experience. That’s why we’re sharing this simple guide on how to clean your piercings and jewelry to keep them healthy, happy, and looking their best.

🌿 Why Cleaning Matters

Proper cleaning is essential for:

– Preventing irritation, swelling, and infection

– Removing buildup from the skin or jewelry

– Supporting your body’s natural healing process

– Keeping your jewelry looking beautiful

Neglecting aftercare can delay healing, cause complications, or even lead to jewelry removal — but with the right routine, you’ll set yourself up for piercing success.

How to Clean Fresh Piercings

– Clean daily. Use a sterile saline spray or a piercing-specific aftercare solution. Spray directly onto the piercing or apply it gently with clean, nonwoven gauze. We carry saline spray in our Roscoe Village and Wicker Park studios. You can also find it on our webstore!

– Hands off! Avoid twisting, turning, or touching your jewelry unless you’re cleaning — and always wash your hands first.

– Avoid harsh products. Stay away from alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, ointments, or soaps with fragrance, as they can irritate the skin and slow healing.

– Rinse after showers. Use clean water to gently rinse off soap or shampoo residue and pat dry with a disposable paper towel.

💎 How to Clean Jewelry (For Healed Piercings) Even once your piercing has healed, clean jewelry matters:

– Remove jewelry safely. Only remove jewelry if the piercing is fully healed and you’re confident in doing so.

– Wash with warm water + mild soap. Use a gentle, fragrance-free soap and a soft toothbrush to clean jewelry thoroughly.

– Dry carefully. Pat jewelry dry with a soft, clean cloth before reinserting.

✨ Extra Tips for Happy Piercings

– Stick to implant-grade jewelry materials like titanium or solid gold to minimize irritation.

– Check your jewelry regularly to make sure it’s secure and in good shape.

– If you notice redness, swelling, or discharge beyond the typical healing window, visit a professional for advice. At Identity, our team of professional piercers are always happy to assist with troubleshooting piercing and jewelry issues.

When in doubt, come see us at Identity Body Piercing — we’re always happy to help with cleaning tips, jewelry changes, or troubleshooting.

Good aftercare is the best investment you can make in your new piercing. With just a few minutes a day, you’ll protect your health, preserve your jewelry, and enjoy a beautiful, long-lasting piercing.

Book online or visit us as a walk-in everyday from 12pm -8pm at our two Chicago Locations:​​

– Roscoe Village: 2256 W Belmont Ave, Chicago, IL 60618​​

– Wicker Park: 1514 N Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL 60622