Is Your New Piercing Safe At The Beach?

While a day out in the sun might sound appealing, you may want to think twice before going to the beach with a new piercing. As a piercing is technically considered an open puncture wound, heading to the beach may not be the best idea for your healing skin. There are just so many elemental factors and lingering bacteria that could possibly infect the piercing site. For instance, we all know that sand gets everywhere when you're at the beach. This means the tiny granolas could also get into your newly pierced skin, and cause potential infections.

Learn more: 11 Cartilage Piercing Truths To Know Before You Go Under The Needle

Now, I know what you're thinking: "Isn't salt water good for newly pierced skin?" While saline solutions and salt water mixes are helpful for flushing out bacteria from a wound, the ocean may not be the best place for doing that. The ocean is an open body of water meaning that it is susceptible to tons of bacteria. From animal and human waste to acid rain and outside chemicals, there are plenty of reasons that the ocean isn't 100 percent clean. Do yourself a favor by skipping out on lakes, ponds, and even the ocean for a few weeks after procedure. This way your skin can fully heal before interacting with open bodies of water.

However, if you do have to head to the beach with your new piercing, there is a way to do it safely. Chicago Ink recommends covering the piecing site with a waterproof wound-sealant bandage such as 3M Nexcare Clean Seals to keep the piercing clean. These bandages help to keep water and bacteria out, while keeping your piercing dry.

As everyone has a different healing rate, be sure to check with your piercing professional to make sure that your skin is fully healed before heading to the beach. While areas such as your ear lobes can take a few weeks to heal, other areas, such as your face or nipples could take months.

Once your skin has fully healed, feel free to head to the beach. Just remember to apply your sunscreen!

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