When you choose to get a piercing, you will undoubtedly have delved into the aftercare. A frequently used aftercare method is the use of a warm saline solution. In this blog post, we will tell you more about salt, making a saline solution and how to best use the saline solution.

Salt is salt, right?
If only it were that simple... Often, when talking about salt, it mainly concerns table salt. However, there are different types of salt available, including table salt (sodium chloride), sea salt or mineral salt (also called rock salt or crystal salt). Table salt is often found in, yes, kitchen cupboards. This salt is white, finely ground and super suitable for adding to dishes. Often, extra iodine and anti-caking agent are added to table salt. Ideal for keeping the salt sprinkleable, less ideal for making a saline solution for your piercings. Sea salt can then be an excellent successor to standard table salt. Sea salt is extracted by evaporating seawater. Natural, unprocessed sea salt is free of additives and can be used perfectly well for making a saline solution. In addition to sea salt, there is also mineral salt. This salt is extracted from salt mines in various places around the world and is rich in natural minerals. Mineral salt can be found in our shop, in a 100 gram package.

Origin and composition
At All Over Piercings we have chosen to include mineral salt in our range. The mineral salt in our webshop comes from the area around the Himalayas and is naturally rich in more than 60 different minerals and trace elements. That sounds like a whole tub full, but these minerals and trace elements all contribute to the beneficial effect of our Salt. Enough advantages to choose this mineral salt, we thought! In addition, our salt is unprocessed and free of artificial additives. Well, okay, the salt is ground a little finer to make it easier to dissolve in hot water, but that's all.

Benefits
Although it may seem like a lot of hassle to hang your piercing in a glass of saline solution, it actually offers a lot of benefits. A warm saline solution made with the right proportions stimulates blood flow and helps remove waste and crusts in a mild, non-irritating way. In addition, a saline solution does not dry out the skin when used correctly and you can use it for a longer, continuous period without any problems. Whether you want to relieve the irritation of a piercing that has been there for a while, or want to give a new acquisition some mild care, saline solution can do it all.

How do you make a saline solution?

You need:

a glass, cup or mug. Sparkling clean!

250 ml (tap) water
1/4 (a quarter) teaspoon Salt
extra water to rinse your mug or glass with
possibly sterile gauze
Bring a large amount of water to the boil. When the water has boiled, rinse your glass or mug with water that has just come off the boil. Pour 250 ml of boiled water into your glass or mug, add 1/4 teaspoon of salt and stir until all the crystals have dissolved. Your saline solution is now ready to use.

How do you use a saline solution?
Once you have made your saline solution, first check the temperature before you use it. Your saline solution should of course not be too hot, otherwise you could burn yourself. When your solution has reached the desired temperature, you can use the solution by holding a glass or cup with the saline solution against your piercing. This works very well for nipple piercings, navel piercings or certain genital piercings. If you want to clean a piercing in a difficult to reach place, use sterile gauze with saline solution and leave it on the piercing for a while. You can then repeat this a few times to prevent any cooling. Done with the saline solution? Then rinse your piercing in the shower and you are done!

And lastly:
Whichever aftercare method you choose, they are not miracle cures. A warm saline solution is an ideal, mild method to clean your piercings and piercing jewelry, but if you continue to suffer from irritation or have any questions about the care or healing of your piercing, it is always best to consult your doctor or piercer. If you do not always have the time or space to use a warm saline solution, you can also opt for a saline solution in a spray bottle. Although it does not offer the benefits of a warm saline solution, in some cases it can be a solution to give your piercings a quick clean. Sometimes other aftercare products such as antibacterial soap or an antibacterial spray can also provide a solution to relieve irritation to your piercings. In any case, treat your piercing with care, use soap and spray sparingly and always read the instructions carefully before use. And again, if in doubt, visit your piercer or doctor!
Happy soaking ;)