How to Take a Bath with a New Piercing

Co-authored by David Wilkins

Last Updated: March 10, 2023 References Approved

If you've got a new piercing, you know how important it is to keep it clean and healthy. Taking a bath with a new piercing is best avoided, if possible; showering is safer and easier. However, if your only option is to take a bath, some precautions can help you avoid infections.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Showering Instead

1
Take a shower instead, if you can. It is easier, safer, and overall a better idea.^{[1]
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Research source}
- You should ideally not have a soaking bath until the piercing is through the initial healing stages, and oozing, bleeding and scabbing have all stopped.
2
Shower as normal. Just be careful to avoid hitting or damaging your piercing area. Don't pull at or scrub the area.

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3
When you're done, pat the area dry very lightly with a clean, soft towel.
4
Rinse the wound out with sea salt water (one pinch in an eggcup of boiled and cooled water is about right) or tea tree oil. Ideally both.^{[2]
X
Research source} The purpose of this is to rinse out any bacteria or soap that might have snuck in there.
5
Clean your piercing thoroughly before you sleep that night using normal procedure.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Bathing (if Necessary)

1
Do it in your own, clean bath. Clean the bath thoroughly first.^{[3]
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Research source} Disinfectant and a very good rinse. Repeat this step every single time you bathe with a new piercing.
2
Be sensible with the temperature of the water. Very hot water will cause your piercing to swell and hurt.
3
If possible, cover the piercing with a waterproof dressing. If not possible, do everything you can to keep the piercing well clear of the water. Make sure a minimum amount of contact occurs between the piercing and the water.
4
Make the bath as quick as possible.
- Do not allow any soap, shampoo, conditioner or any other chemicals to get on the piercing.
- Do not touch, pull, tug, brush against, wash over, scrub around or near the piercing whilst you are in the water.
5
Once you get out, pat the area dry very lightly with a clean, soft towel. Then immediately rinse the wound out with sea salt water (one pinch in an eggcup of boiled and cooled water is about right) or tea tree oil. Ideally both.^{[4]
X
Research source} The purpose of this is to rinse out any bacteria, or soaps that might have snuck in there, and it is absolutely critically important that you do this as soon as you are out of the water.
6
Clean your piercing thoroughly before you sleep that night using normal procedure with a saline sterile solution.

Community Q&A

Question

Can I wash my hair in the tub after getting an ear piercing?

Community Answer

I wouldn't recommend it, but if you have to, try to avoid getting soap in the piercing.
Question

How many times should I clean the piercing? Should I use just the saline water and nothing else?

Community Answer

You should be soaking your piercing 2-3 times a day in warm saline water. You shouldn't need anything else to clean your piercing.
Question

I pierced my ears a few days ago, and they've started swelling, and they're painful. What do I do?

Community Answer

If the area is red, swollen, and leaking pus, it may be infected. Soak the piercing 2-3 times per day in a mixture of warm (not hot) water and non-iodized salt. Talk to your doctor to make sure you don't need antibiotics.

Warnings

Baths harbor bacteria, and warm water is a great environment for them to grow. That shouldn't be an issue with your own clean bathtub, though.

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Do not make a decision you will regret just because you want one bath or swim. Wait and be wise.

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Remember, a piercing is something for you to enjoy for years to come. You can afford to skip one bath or swimming session to protect that. Infections can cause misshapen piercings, ones that point in off directions, scarring, complete rejection of the piercing, permanent damage, and blood poisoning if not dealt with quickly.

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Remember, a new piercing is a deep, open wound, and should be treated with all of the care of a normal deep wound.

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Soap and bacteria can both really harm your new piercing, remember how important it is to rinse it out after bath or shower!

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Never go swimming after a new piercing. It can wait. Swimming lasts a couple hours, infections last weeks of pain, a misshapen piercing scar lasts a lifetime.^{[5]
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Trustworthy Source
National Health Service (UK)
Public healthcare system of the UK
Go to source}

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