If you have ever gotten a piercing, you probably already know that saline solution plays an important role in the healing process. (And if you have never had a piercing before—now you know.)
However, you may be wondering how saline solution works for piercings and why professional piercers recommend specific piercing aftercare products instead of other alternatives.
We care about your health just as much as you do, and we want you to feel confident about the products you use on your piercing. That’s why we created this quick guide to saline solutions for piercings and how they work.
How Does Saline Solution Work on Piercings?
Saline solution is a simple mixture of purified water and sodium chloride (salt).
It is widely used for many purposes, including cleaning wounds (such as piercings), treating dehydration, and rinsing nasal passages.
Massai Tip: Although saline solution has many uses, different saline products are designed for different purposes. If you have a saline solution intended for a specific medical use, you should consult a healthcare professional before using it for something else. We will discuss this in more detail later.
Saline Solution for Piercing Healing
In simple terms, the salt in saline solution dehydrates bacteria and helps eliminate them.
Saline solution is commonly used in piercing aftercare for several reasons.
First, its two basic ingredients—salt and water—are gentle on the skin and far less irritating than many chemical products. At the same time, saline acts as an effective cleansing and disinfecting agent.
Without getting too technical, salt essentially draws moisture out of bacteria, which helps neutralize them. The solution also helps flush away debris and buildup around the piercing.
Most professional piercers recommend using saline solution for aftercare two to three times per day.
Regular cleaning helps maintain proper hygiene and prevent skin irritation, allowing your piercing to heal safely and effectively.
Can I Use Contact Lens Solution on My Piercings?
The short answer is simple: no, you cannot.
As mentioned earlier, not all saline solutions are the same. Depending on their intended use, they may contain additives that could irritate your skin.
Contact lens solution is one such example. These products often include ingredients designed to remove oils and other residues from contact lenses.
While those ingredients are safe and effective for cleaning lenses, they are not suitable for a healing piercing.
Massai Tip: Contact lens saline solutions contain additives that are not safe for piercing healing.
If you have a saline solution free of additives (in other words, it only contains pharmaceutical-grade water and sodium chloride), then it may be safe to use on your piercing. However, to avoid complications, it is always best to consult with a professional piercer first.
Why Should I Use Saline Solution to Care for My Piercing?
New piercings are delicate, and keeping them clean and properly hydrated helps maintain healthy skin and supports the healing process.
As a body jewelry company, we strongly believe that saline solution should not only be used during the healing period, but also as part of your long-term piercing care routine.
Maintaining proper care for your piercings—even after they have healed—can help prevent many potential problems in the future.
Conclusion
Now that you understand a bit more about how saline solution works, it should be easier to see why keeping your piercing clean is so important.
A quick spray two to three times per day can do wonders for the health of your piercing and help ensure that you can enjoy your body jewelry for many years to come.