As a professional piercer for over two decades, I have seen the effects that aftercare has on each client’s healing caliber. A well-executed piercing may establish healing issues if the aftercare is not properly overseen; while sterile saline and medical-grade topical products remain the gold standard, many clients ask if there are any natural remedies available that could healing without using harsh chemicals.
This article reviews a few tried-and-true recommendations regarding natural remedies that could actually be beneficial in the healing process; it will also include a few important cautions based on experience.
Piercing Healing Process
A new piercing is a controlled wound, and it is the body’s job to heal and form new tissue around the piercing jewelry. This process takes time; anywhere from slightly more than 6 weeks for an earlobe piercing, and a cartilage and navel piercings, the healing process may take up to 9 months or longer.
Natural remedies can be used to support the healing process by reducing inflammation, cleaning the area, and promoting skin regeneration, but keep in mind—”natural” does not equal “safe.” The most important factor is that the ingredient is clean, gentle, and proven to not interfere with the body’s natural healing process and not cause irritation.
1. Saline Solution: Nature’s Best Cleanser
It may seem easy, but a sterile saline solution (a mixture of non-iodized sea salt and distilled water) is one of the safest and most effective natural remedies. Saline helps to clear debris, calms swelling, and keeps bacteria from existing at the site of the piercing.
Professional Tip: Add 1/4 teaspoon of non-iodized sea salt to one cup of warm distilled water. Use a clean gauze pad, or soak the area, for 5-10 minutes twice a day. Don’t use table salt; it has added ingredients that may irritate the piercing.
2. Chamomile Compress to Soothe Inflammation
Chamomile has long been considered to have anti-inflammatory and naturally calming properties. A warm chamomile compress may help alleviate tenderness and reduce small amounts of swelling during the healing phase.
How to Apply:
Take a chamomile tea bag and steep it in hot water for a few minutes. We suggest allowing it to cool slightly so it won’t burn the sensitive skin, then you apply the tea bag directly to the area for 5-10 minutes. Remember to rinse with the saline solution to wash away any chamomile that remains once you’ve removed the tea bag.
Professional Tip: Some clients with sensitive skin can react to chamomile, particularly if they have ragweed allergies, so please try this first before applying the compress to the piercing.
3. Aloe Vera for Gentle Skin Recovery
Pure aloe vera gel (either directly from a plant or from a product that is 100% pure) is full of vitamins and anti-inflammatory enzymes. It can help calm irritation and bolster tissue healing without clogging pores or suffocating the wound.
Pro Tip: After salinizing the area, you can put a thin layer of pure aloe on the piercing once or twice a day. Use it after you are sure that your piercing jewelry and the entirety of your piercing area are sufficiently dry. You do want the aloe to soak in, so do not trap moisture underneath it.
4. Tea Tree Oil—Use with Caution
Tea tree oil is popular for its antibacterial and antifungal properties, but it is also quite concentrated. And when it is used in the right quantities, it can help with a bit of irritation or for reducing hypertrophic bumps (particularly on cartilage piercings).
Safe Application—Always dilute tea tree oil before using it on a piercing with a carrier oil like jojoba or coconut oil (1 drop of tea tree oil to 10 drops of the carrier oil). Use sparingly (every few days at most) and watch and see if there are signs of dryness or redness.
From Experience—I have had many clients use too much tea tree oil, and this led to issues of chemical burns or severe dryness. Less is more for this item.
5. Jojoba Oil for Moisture and Elasticity
As piercings begin to heal, the skin around them can become dry and flaky. Jojoba oil, which mimics naturally occurring sebum that your skin produces, helps keep your skin hydrated and elastic. Jojoba is especially helpful for stretched piercings or healed lobes that tend to be dry.
How to Use: Use a clean finger to apply a drop or two around the piercing after it is cleaned off. Avoid putting it directly into a fresh wound, but it is great for use during later phases of healing or for ongoing care.
6. Turmeric: A Natural Inflammatory Agent
Turmeric contains curcumin, which has natural anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. While eating or taking supplements of turmeric will not directly affect a piercing, turmeric is a great way to help the body with its natural inflammatory process from the inside out.
Pro Tip: Try taking turmeric with black pepper, as this will enhance absorption and effectiveness.
What to Avoid—Common Mistakes with “Natural” Care
Occasionally, even seasoned clients simply just assume that anything natural is safe, which is not always the case.
Here are a few things you do not want to use:
- Alcohol or hydrogen peroxide: While sometimes thought of as great ways to disinfect, alcohol and hydrogen peroxide both cause damage to healing tissue.
- Essential oils (neat): Essential oils are potent and can burn or irritate sensitive skin.
- Homemade herbal pastes: Homemade herbal pastes often introduce bacteria and hinder healing.
Always consult your piercer before trying new remedies, especially for fresh piercings.
Expert Advice for a Smooth Healing
- Keep your hands clean—never touch your piercing unless it’s necessary.
- No swimming in pools, lakes, or hot tubs for the first few weeks.
- You should also use titanium or implant-grade jewelry instead of cheaper metals; we know that inexpensive metals can cause a delay in healing.
- Remember to eat a nutritious diet and drink plenty of water. Healing is a process that begins on the inside.
- Finally, if you experience any ongoing pain, discharge, or swelling, see a professional piercer or healthcare provider right away.
Final Thoughts
After 20 years in the industry, I can say that with reason—natural remedies can be incredibly powerful if used thoughtfully. Natural remedies should be used in addition to sterile saline and good hygiene, not instead of them. The body is truly remarkable in its ability to heal—you just need to help it out by providing it with the right environment for healing.
Cleanliness, patience, and balance are the true secrets to a beautifully healed piercing. Use nature as a resource, but let professionals be the catalyst for that healing process.
