How Long After Piercing Can You Swim?

logo by Editorial Staff | Updated on June 25th, 2022

Piercing is becoming increasingly popular among beauty aficionados and influencers. It is described as a tiny hole in the body created to accommodate a ring, stud, or other jewelry. 


The most popular variation of this trend is nose and ear piercings. In addition, individuals pierce other regions of their body, such as their lips, navel, and so on. As a result, wounds must be kept as clean and sterile as possible.

silver-colored earrings

How Long Can You Swim After Piercing?

According to medical specialists, swimming should be avoided for at least 24 hours following a new piercing.

However, this is more of a guideline than a comprehensive instruction for preventing water contact with the pierced region. Swimming should be avoided until the wound has completely healed. This eliminates the possibility of contracting an illness from the water in swimming pools, lakes, rivers, and the sea.

This means that the time it takes for each piercing to dry and heal completely will necessarily vary. As a result, swimming is typically not recommended until these periods are reached.

How long will it take for the wound to heal?

A new body piercing may be red and sensitive for a few weeks. The time it takes to heal a body piercing depends on where the region of your body is pierced and how well you care for it.

Healing periods for the most popular body piercings may be approximated as follows:

  • 6 to 8 weeks for the ear lobe
  • 6 to 8 weeks for the top of the ear
  • 6 months to 1 year – belly button (navel)
  • Up to 6 months for the nose
  • 2 to 4 weeks for the tongue

Infection symptoms

If your piercing is infected in any of the following ways:

It is bloated, uncomfortable, hot, bright red, or black (depending on your skin color)

Blood or pus flows out of the piercing, which can be white, yellow, or green and smells bad.

If you detect an infection in your piercing, you should get medical assistance as soon as possible. Your doctor should be able to prescribe medicines or an ointment to destroy the germs.

Aftercare for Piercings

Keeping the piercing area clean and dry once it has been pierced is critical.

Before handling or bathing your piercing, wash your hands with warm water and antibacterial soap and dry them with a disposable towel.

You may be recommended to clean the area with a sterile saline solution gently. These are labeled as wound-washing and cleaning solutions.

Over-cleaning can irritate the skin and delay healing, so only clean the piercing as much as is required to maintain it. A piece of jewelry should not be rotated or removed unless essential.

Rinse the piercing with saline solution to clean it. Alternatively, soak a clean cloth in the solution before applying it to the affected region. You can clean any discharge with a cotton bud or gauze once it has softened.

FAQs

Can I Shower After Getting a Piercing?

While keeping the piercing dry is crucial, that doesn’t mean you can’t take a quick shower. Just make sure there is no shampoo, conditioner, or soap residue in the area surrounding your piercing. After you get out of the shower, gently dab the area with a clean paper towel to dry it thoroughly.

How long do ear piercings take to heal?

The time it takes to recover depends on how well you care for your new piercing. On average, earlobes and piercings to the top of the ear take six to eight weeks to heal.

How should I look after my ear piercing?

After washing your hands with antibacterial soap, clean the region every five to ten minutes with a warm saltwater solution. After swimming, clean your ear piercing under running water to remove any bacteria that might cause infection.

Can I swim with my ear piercing exposed?

Wearing a wound sealing waterproof bandage over the piercing is how to hide ear piercing for swimming. You must thoroughly cover the piercing region and ensure the bandage is secure.

How long does it take to cure a belly button piercing?

The healing time for a belly button or navel piercing might range from six months to a year.

Can I swim after getting my nipple pierced?

Swimming should be avoided for the first month following a new piercing. If you wish to swim during the healing time, the essential thing to remember is to clean your nipple piercing right away.

Conclusion

When one permits the pierced region to come into touch with the water while swimming, the chance of developing bacterial illnesses from polluted waterways increases.

This may be excruciatingly painful and hazardous. As a result, it is best to avoid swimming for at least 24 hours following a new piercing. It is suggested, however, that one refrain from swimming until the incision has entirely healed.

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Editorial Staff

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