3 Things to Know Before You Go In For a Piercing

Many people worry about causing an infection with their new piercing, and while Brian suggests not getting too worried about it, you do need to be careful about how you’re cleaning it. Many of us run to the hydrogen peroxide bottle when we get a cut to help kill bacteria and prevent infection, but Brian suggests using soap and water or Dr. Bronner’s all-natural soap.

PS: Why do you use soap and water and not alcohol or hydrogen peroxide?

BKT: If you read the bottle of hydrogen peroxide or alcohol, it says “warning: not for prolonged use.” Alcohol is for use if you skin up your elbow skateboarding and need to disinfect it one time. If you are using alcohol and or peroxide every day trying to heal your new piercing, you’re probably going to have an adverse reaction; some people will have an allergic reaction. After it stops killing the bad guys, peroxide starts killing healthy skin cells. Also, science has proven that it can actually do more harm than good. Your body has an immune system. Let it do its job. It doesn’t need our help. So the basic thing is soap and water, once, no more than twice a day — and leave it alone.