Whether a new piercing should be spun or rotated is a common question stemming from outdated aftercare advice. Modern professional piercers and dermatologists now strongly advise against this practice. Current standards focus on minimizing trauma to the site to encourage clean and efficient healing, based on a clearer understanding of how the body heals a wound.
Do Not Rotate Your New Piercing
You should never spin, twist, or slide your new piercing jewelry. This old recommendation, based on the mistaken belief that rotation prevents sticking, has been rejected by current professional standards. Moving the jewelry introduces unnecessary trauma to the delicate healing tissue and the fresh piercing channel. Reputable piercers recommend a “hands-off” approach to ensure the site heals cleanly. The jewelry should only be touched minimally with thoroughly washed hands during the recommended aftercare process.
How Movement Disrupts the Healing Process
A piercing is medically a puncture wound that heals from the inside out by forming a protective layer of scar tissue called a fistula. This internal tunnel of new skin cells is extremely fragile. Spinning the jewelry causes micro-tears in this developing tissue, ripping apart the new cells the body is trying to lay down.
This repeated tearing forces the body to restart the healing process, significantly prolonging recovery time. Movement also pushes surface bacteria or debris into the open wound channel, increasing the risk of irritation, infection, or irritation bumps.
The whitish-yellow fluid that dries around the jewelry (“crusties”) is a natural combination of lymph fluid and plasma. Rotating the jewelry scrapes off this protective discharge, which acts like a scab, exposing the raw tissue underneath. The dried crust can also act like sandpaper when forced through the piercing channel, causing internal damage. Avoiding movement allows the healing tissue to mature undisturbed, forming a stronger, healthier fistula.
The Foundation of Proper Piercing Aftercare
The most effective modern aftercare method follows the philosophy known as LITHA, which stands for “Leave It The Hell Alone.” This approach emphasizes that the body is highly capable of healing itself when kept clean and free from interference. The goal is to minimize touching, snagging, or excessive cleaning of the new piercing.
The approved cleaning method involves using a pre-packaged sterile saline solution labeled for wound wash, containing a 0.9% sodium chloride concentration. This solution should be sprayed directly onto the piercing twice a day to gently rinse away debris. Homemade sea salt solutions are no longer recommended because achieving the correct sterile ratio is difficult, often resulting in a solution that is too strong and dries out the wound.
After cleaning, the piercing should be dried gently using clean, disposable products like non-woven gauze or paper towels. Cloth towels should be avoided as they can harbor bacteria and snag the jewelry. For hands-free drying, a hairdryer set to the cool setting can be used to ensure the area is completely dry without causing movement or irritation.