A microdermal piercing is a unique body adornment featuring a single-point entry, where a small anchor is inserted beneath the skin’s surface, leaving only a decorative top visible. Unlike traditional piercings, microdermals sit flat against the body. Proper aftercare is important for successful healing and to minimize potential complications. Diligent care helps ensure the piercing integrates well with the body’s tissues and remains a healthy, long-lasting embellishment.
Initial Healing and Daily Care
The initial healing phase for a microdermal piercing spans several weeks to months, requiring consistent attention. Cleaning the piercing twice daily promotes healing and prevents infection. Use a sterile saline solution, prepared by dissolving 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon of non-iodized sea salt in one cup of warm distilled or bottled water. Precise measurement is important to avoid irritation.
Before touching the piercing, thoroughly wash hands and dry them completely with a clean paper towel. To clean, saturate a clean disposable product with saline solution and gently apply it to the piercing for 5-10 minutes. After soaking, gently pat the area dry with a fresh paper product, as cloth towels can harbor bacteria or snag the jewelry. Avoid picking at discharge or twisting the jewelry, as this can damage healing tissue.
Protecting the new microdermal from physical trauma is important during this delicate stage. Wear loose clothing to prevent friction and snags. Avoid swimming in public pools, hot tubs, or natural bodies of water for the first few weeks due to infection risk. Refrain from applying makeup, lotions, or harsh chemicals like alcohol or hydrogen peroxide near the piercing site, as these can irritate the wound and delay healing.
Sustaining Care for Long-Term Health
After the initial healing period (one to three months), sustained care is important for the long-term health of a microdermal piercing. Continued gentle cleaning prevents buildup of dead skin cells, soap, or makeup around the jewelry, which can lead to irritation or rejection. A regular cleaning with sterile saline solution is beneficial.
Protecting the piercing from accidental impact or friction in daily activities is important. Jewelry can snag on clothing, towels, or other objects, potentially causing trauma. If the piercing might be at risk, cover it with a sterile bandage for temporary protection. Avoid sleeping directly on the piercing to prevent pressure and displacement.
Maintain the jewelry by checking that the decorative top is secure. While the initial top should remain in place until the piercing is fully healed, professional assistance is recommended for changing tops to prevent accidental dislodgement of the anchor. Environmental factors like extreme temperatures or prolonged sun exposure can impact the skin around the piercing.
Identifying and Responding to Issues
Understanding normal healing versus potential complications is important for microdermal piercings. During initial weeks, localized swelling, tenderness, and slight redness are common. A pale, odorless fluid that forms a crust around the jewelry is a normal part of healing and should not be confused with pus.
Signs of irritation, often mistaken for infection, include prolonged redness, tenderness, and minor swelling that does not subside. Hypertrophic scarring, a raised bump around the piercing, can occur due to trauma, inflammation, or tension. This scarring is often treatable with continued proper care and can shrink over time.
Signs of infection include pain, swelling, yellow, green, or foul-smelling discharge, and skin that feels hot to the touch. A fever or red streaks from the piercing are serious indicators. If these symptoms appear, seek medical attention promptly, as infections may require antibiotics.
Piercing rejection occurs when the body treats the microdermal anchor as a foreign object and pushes it out. Signs include migration of the jewelry, thinning of the skin over the anchor, or the anchor becoming visible. If infection or rejection is suspected, consult a professional piercer or medical doctor immediately. Self-treating or removing the jewelry without professional advice can worsen the situation and lead to significant scarring.