Why is tea tree oil bad for piercings

• Can you use tea tree oil for piercings?
• Benefits of tea tree oil

Are you rocking a new industrial piercing? Just got a nose ring? Or, have you gone wild and treated yourself to a Daith piercing? If you’re ready to show off your latest look to the world, there’s one crucial thing that you must not forget: aftercare.

When you get a new piercing, it is vital to make sure it heals well. We don’t need to warn you of the nasty side effects you could come across if you get this wrong. Let’s just put it this way—your nose piercing will look less attractive if it’s red and swollen.

Luckily, you can use tea tree oil for piercings and other solutions. There are so many uses for essential oils, and this is just one of them. Within this guide, we will look at everything you need to know about getting this right.

Can you use tea tree oil for piercings?

The simple answer is yes… but you might want to dilute it. Tea tree oil is a natural antiseptic. That means that it may help avoid infections and keep an area sterile. However, when you’ve had a piercing, it is effectively an open wound (gross, we know!).

For that reason, you need to make sure that no nasty bacteria or germs get into it. Using tea tree oil as part of your aftercare routine may help to lower the overall chance of getting an infection.

However, there is one major pitfall to using tea tree oil to clean piercings. This solution can dry out your skin. That spells bad news when it comes to the healing process. Using too much oil may mean that your skin is dry and brittle. That combination means that it’s more susceptible to scarring and cracking. It’s the last thing you want.

For that reason, many piercing experts recommend that you use a solution of sea salt and warm water to clean your piercings in the first instance (one of our favourite uses for salt!). This approach may help you avoid skin-related problems while still keeping the area sterile. However, people will often get an irritation bump directly after a piercing, so proper aftercare is essential.

Before you start lashing on tea tree oil, speak to the professional who gave you the piercing. You can be sure that these individuals will have some advice. Of course, should you find that your piercing becomes infected and is particularly painful, you need to speak to a doctor. Getting the proper medical help means you can avoid further issues.

Benefits of tea tree oil

It should come as no surprise that tea tree oil offers many natural benefits, especially when it comes to piercing aftercare. Before we delve into how you can use the essential oil as part of your piercing cleaning routine, let’s look at some of its core benefits.

1. Antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory

One of the main reasons that so many people use tea tree oil to care for their skin is its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Research suggests that the essential oil contains high levels of terpinen-4-ol, which may boast antimicrobial properties.

2. Antiseptic treatment

Using tea tree oil on minor cuts and wounds has been common for years and years. However, recent research has confirmed that this essential oil can work as a natural antiseptic. That means that it helps you ward off any infections. When cleaning your new piercings, you should find that tea tree oil helps you stay sterile.

3. Enhances healing process

When you first have a piercing, you need to ensure that the healing process is quick and easy. That’s where tea tree oil comes into the picture. Research shows that this oil has antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant properties. All of these play a significant role in reducing inflammation and supporting healthy healing. Simple.

There’s a wide array of reasons people use tea tree oil for piercings and other wounds. This natural oil offers countless benefits and could help you to heal. If that weren’t enough to have you reach for a bottle, it’s also worth knowing that it smells great. If you’re looking for a clean and fresh scent, look no further than here!

How to use tea tree oil for piercings

Ready to get started? Learning to use tea tree oil for piercings doesn’t take too long. So long as you have some of this essential oil at home, you should have no problem mixing up a solution that fits the bill. With that in mind, here are three simple methods:

Method #1: Diluted tea tree oil

You will need:

• Tea tree oil
• Warm water
• Cotton buds

First of all, you may want to try the diluted tea tree oil approach. One of the things that you should know about tea tree oil is that it is powerful. For that reason, you should avoid applying the essential oil directly to your skin. Instead, you will need to dilute it first.

To get this right, get a cup of warm water. Add a few drops of tea tree oil to the water and then mix well. Next up, you need to do a patch test. That means applying the solution to your skin and checking whether you see any reaction. Finally, you should use a cotton bud to put a little of the solution onto an area of unbroken skin (i.e. not your piercing!).

Wait for 24 hours. You’re looking for any signs of irritation. These could include: dryness, redness, itchiness, rashes, and raised skin. If you don’t see any of the above, you can use the tea tree oil solution on your piercing. Dab a little of the solution onto the area. You may notice it stings a little at first, but that sensation will quickly disappear.

Note: If your skin starts to sting or become red, use warm water for bathing the area. You want to get rid of the essential oil should you react. Of course, if the reaction gets worse, you need to go and see a medical professional as soon as possible.

Method #2: Sea salt solution

You will need:

• Sea salt
• Lukewarm water
• Tea tree oil
• Clean cloth

Next up, let’s talk about how to make a sea salt solution. Whether you’ve got a rook piercing or a nose ring, the chances are that the piercer will recommend this tried and tested method. Sea salt is famous for killing certain bacteria and germs, making it a popular cleansing option for new piercings. Simply mix some lukewarm water with a pinch of salt to make your solution. Be sure to stir the liquid well to ensure it’s evenly dispersed.

When you’ve done that, the next step is to add a couple of drops of tea tree oil into the mix. Again, you will need to stir well. Use the solution immediately before it goes too cold. You should use a clean cloth for this. Dip it in the solution and then bathe your piercing. Again, be gentle but firm, and ensure that you cover the entirety of the wound while cleaning.

Method #3: Quick swab

You will need:

• Tea tree oil
• Water
• Cotton wool

Are you in a rush? If you’re always on the go, don’t forget to cleanse your piercings well. First, mix a highly-diluted tea tree oil and water mixture. Ideally, for every cup of water, you only want to be using one drop of the essential oil treatment. When you have done that, bottle the solution up so you can use the ‘quick swab’ approach whenever you need to.

The next time you’re ready to cleanse your piercing, tip a small amount of the solution onto some cotton wool. You can then apply the cotton wool directly to your piercing area. Of course, should you experience any irritation or pain, stop and rinse the area.

You can use tea tree oil for piercings easily. However, you don’t want to overdo it. Keep in mind that this essential oil has the power to dry out your skin, which could be a problem for your piercings. However, you may start using the oil as part of your aftercare regime. This is not intended as medical advice. Speak to an expert before using home remedies.

Q&A

Can you use tea tree oil for keloid scars?

Keloid scars are raised wounds that continue to grow after they have healed. There is anecdotal evidence that you can use tea tree oil to treat either a keloid or hypertrophic scar. You can see plenty of dazzling before and after pictures online. However, you should speak to a doctor before using this type of home treatment.

Can tea tree oil make keloid worse?

There’s no reason that tea tree oil should make your keloid scars worse. But, of course, if you notice that these scars start to get larger or more defined, it’s worth seeking out expert help. You may find that a dermatologist can help you decide what treatment to use here.

What oils can you use to clean new piercings?

Tea tree oil may not be the only type of oil you can use when you have a piercing! Some experts recommend using coconut oil or almond oil as part of your aftercare routine. You may need to experiment with different solutions to see what works.

How do you heal a piercing bump?

Has a bump formed where you got your piercing? Healing this is a top priority. In the first instance, make sure that you cleanse the area and keep it sterile. However, if the bump continues to grow or is sore, you may need to take the jewellery out entirely. Speak to a doctor for more information should you find that the bump is irritated.

How do you know if a piercing is infected?

Infections are always a risk when you get a new piercing. Some of the signs of infection include redness, itchiness, pain, swelling, discomfort, and even puss. When you notice these red flags, don’t ignore them. Instead, enhance your cleansing routine and—if the infection seems to get worse—go and see your doctor pronto.

Will you be giving tea tree oil a try on your piercings? Let us know in the comments below!

Top 9 why is tea tree oil bad for piercings