How exactly does a daily sea salt soak benefit a piercing?

Answer 1

Well there is a lot of misunderstanding surrounding the sea salt soaks and it's benefits and it's complications. This all stems from a twisted understanding about *saline solution (*this is the salt solution used in the hospital for IV's and wound irrigation). Proper saline solution (.9% ~ 5% sodium chloride) is almost undetectable in distilled water, which is to say you could barely taste the salt in the solution. Sea salt is a natural derived salt and if mixed correctly with distilled water would be almost the same as hospital grade saline solution.

However this is generally not the case, almost every person I have asked who is using sea salt for soaking their piercings are actually burning the piercing and it's new tissue. The burning is from over concentrated salt in the solution. Too much salt in solution actual becomes "caustic" and with that it burns the new tissue you are trying to build ( slightly counter productive to say the least ). 5% sea salt in 8 oz of warm water is equal to a pinch of salt not a teaspoon or tablespoon but an actual pinch between thumb and index finger.

Here's what's supposed to happen with the sea salt soak when done correctly.

( 1/4 teaspoon extra fine sea salt to 8 oz of boiled or distilled water )

The proper .9% solution of sea salt in 8 oz of boiled water when applied to the piercing in a warm state will increase the circulation to the piercing sight. Soften the crusties that are around the entry and exit points allowing this matter to be removed from the piercing without damaging the new tissue. The warmth allows the circulation to bring more white cells to the site and increase the healing rate, the salt in solution will help to toughen the skin and new tissue and thus speed the healing. This procedure should be done at least once a day during the first two weeks post piercing and then once every couple of days from there for the next 4 weeks.

Now that's what is supposed to happen but more often than not it's not done correctly and the piercing is damaged and a *hypertrophic reaction occurs ( *that's a nice little purple pimple like bump that forms next to the piercing because the salt concentration is so high that the tissue is now reacting to the salt as apposed to actually healing as intended ).

Now I am not saying using saline soaks is wrong, I am mearly pointing out that anyone given too many instructions is going to screw things up, it's human nature.

Over the past 16 plus years I have researched every form of piercing aftercare recommended by other professionals and have found one glaring point. Keeping the aftercare simple and easy results in good healed piercings without the expense and fuss of buying potions, lotions, salves, balms and other needless materials. Treat the piercing like a deep cut, wash it daily with liquid antibacterial soap and rinse it thoroughly under warm running water in the shower and leave it alone and it will heal.

If you are doing the sea salt soaks and you have no issues with the piercing carry on doing so. But remember ultimately the piercing will heal just by cleaning it daily while bathing or showering and it's simply one step as apposed to trying to soak a body part in over concentrated salt water. Common sense aftercare. If it makes sense to you, then do it, but if it doesn't make sense question it. there is much more to the whole sea salt soaks and use of saline solution for piercings, I have condensed it down to the basics in the interest of space. Happy Piercings