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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
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Best salt to clean belly piercing?
The best salt is the salt you don't use. You don't need salt to clean a piercing, never have never will. Yeah there will be some who say "my piercer said", yeah what ever, bottom line cleaning daily with diluted liquid antibacterial soap and a water rinse and leave it alone. Unless you know exactly how to use and make a saline solution, don't bother, you can mix it too strong and end up burning the tissue with the concentrated salt.
Is it ok to use table salt instead of sea salt for an infected ear piercing?
No, you shouldn't be using salt on the piercing at all if it is infected. Wash the piercing using lathered soap, work the soap into the piercing and then irrigate the piercing with running water while rotating or shuffling the jewellery to rinse the soap and infected dishcharge from the piercing.
Will it hurt to put Epsom salt on a nose piercing?
You don't want to put Epsom Salt OR table salt on ANY piercing. They contain sugar and will cause infection. The ONLY thing to put on a fresh piercing is SEA SALT. Using 1/4tsp of sea salt with 8oz. of warm water, and soak the piercing for about 10 minutes twice a day. It is the best thing to help heal your piercing. When you are in the shower, use Dial soap to clean it also. But sea salt soaks are amazing for helping heal a piercing.
Do you have to use sea salt to clean your piercing?
Yes. Natural sea salt. Table salt can have things added to it and that can be bad for the piercing. Its just the safest bet :)
How do you bring down swelling on a tongue piercing?
gurgle some salt water every two times daily for a while til the swelling goes down
When cleaning a piercing does using uniondized salt hurt?
If you were to clean your piercing with salt by itself, it would certainly hurt! What people actually clean their piercing with is saline solution- a mix of sea salt and water. (A good ratio to use is 1 table spoon of salt per cup of water.) The saline solution itself should not hurt your piercing. However, sometime cleaning a piercing will irritate it. This may hurt, but the salt is not responsible.
How do you keep a industrial piercing from getting affected?
Rinse and clean the piercing twice daily with special clearer for piercings and clean the piercing at least once a day with a salt water mixture. This won't guarantee that your industrial won't get infected, but it will definitely help.
Can you put Iodized salt on an infected piercing?
Pure salt would irritate the piercing (hence the phrase "to pour salt on a wound," meaning to make things worse); a relatively mild saline solution can be used to clean it.
Why do some cooks chop their garlic in salt?
Garlic flavor comes out as you apply pressure and otherwise break the cell walls. The salt helps add abrasion which does exactly that. The benefit is that you almost always want salt, and it helps bring out the garlic flavor.
What do i use to clean your nose piercing?
Alcohol should not be used on any piercing. Soaking your piercing in sea salt is best. you can also use non scented antibacterial soap to clean your piercing
Where do you get sea salt from for my tongue piercing?
Any grocery store.
Where is a good and trustable piercing studio for hip surface piercings near Salt Lake City Utah?
Iris Piercing.
