Emily just got her nose pierced. She asked, “When can I put on makeup after a piercing?” It was because she was worried about wearing foundation and concealer.
I told her it would be at least a couple of months until after her nostril heals. It’s a good thing it wasn’t a septum piercing, or it would take up to four months.
Emily was determined to wear makeup anyway. We had a discussion about how to apply makeup to a new nose piercing.
How to wear makeup after getting a facial piercing
In short: don’t. Makeup can cause infection and slow down the healing of the piercing.
As hard as you’ll try to keep the makeup out of the piercing, you may get sweaty or oily, and the makeup may migrate into the hole.
But if you’re going to take the risk, let’s talk about how to make it safer to wear makeup after a piercing.
Wait as many days as you can to allow the skin to heal as much as possible. That’s why it’s smart to get pierced at the beginning of a holiday break or long weekend.
If you must use foundation or concealer, keep things as clean as possible. Wash your hands first and use clean fingers or a new applicator.
Leave approximately half an inch of border around the piercing. Keep that zone makeup-free. Use a tapered makeup brush or damp sponge to blend the makeup and make the transition less noticeable.
If you use powder or setting spray, shield the piercing with a piece of paper.
If you accidentally get makeup on the piercing or the jewelry, use a clean cotton swab and micellar water to remove it carefully.
When it’s time to take off the makeup, use a gentle cleanser and rinse thoroughly. Pat dry with a clean towel. (If you use a paper towel, you won’t snag the jewelry). Follow up with a saline rinse (1).
Can you wear makeup after getting a lip piercing?
It’s a bad idea to wear makeup after getting a lip piercing. The exception is eye makeup, as that’s nowhere close to your mouth.
Foundation and concealer are problematic, as is lipstick. See the explanation above for details.
Avoid lipstick, gloss, and balm while healing a lip piercing. It’ll take at least two weeks. However, vertical labrets and similar may take up to four weeks.
How to make a piercing heal faster
People heal at different speeds. Some recover from wounds more quickly than others.
We understand that you’re anxious to have the piercing heal as rapidly as possible. Part of the trick is to avoid infection and having to get re-pierced.
Follow these simple steps:
- Always wash your hands before touching your piercing for any reason.
- Rinse the piercing at least twice a day with saline solution.
- Rinse again after showering or sweating.
- When you dry the skin around the piercing, use disposable paper products.
If you start off with hypoallergenic jewelry, like implant-grade titanium, you’ll better your chances.
Leave it in for the recommended time before you change it for anything else.
Urban ReLeaf Piercing Solution
Do you have a piercing that looks swollen and irritated?
Saturate a cotton swab or ball with this solution and hold it on the piercing for five minutes twice a day.
It contains sea salt with natural vitamins and minerals, plus tea tree oil and aloe. It eliminates bacteria and calms the skin.
Reviewers say that it works very well, soothing their piercings and helping reduce bumps, too.
NeilMed NeilCleanse Piercing Aftercare, Fine Mist
Users love this fine mist spray because it lasts forever. You’ll be shaking the empty bottle of other saline solution brands long before this one runs out.
Moreover, it doesn’t sting, burn, or put pressure on the piercing. It’s so gentle that mothers use it on their infants’ earlobes.
It’s merely sterile pharmaceutical grade sodium chloride and water, perfect for keeping a piercing clean.
What kind of jewelry is best for a new piercing?
As tempting as that sterling silver stud is, it’s not ideal for a new piercing. Even if you don’t have metal allergies, it’s smart to start with hypoallergenic jewelry.
The best is made of niobium, which isn’t even metal but rather a mineral.
But implant-grade titanium (the same stuff in grandma’s hip) is also ideal. It doesn’t react with the skin at all.
In third place is surgical stainless steel. Last of all is 14-karat gold.
Love and Rain Nose Hoop Hypoallergenic Niobium
Like titanium, niobium is an excellent choice if you have sensitive skin. Both materials are perfect for jewelry that helps new piercings heal quickly.
Take a look at these hoops that come in various sizes. They are discreet and comfortable to wear 24/7 while your skin recovers.
Niobium is entirely nickel-free and safe for anyone with metal allergies.
What kind of makeup is safe to use after piercing?
If you’ve made it this far, you already know that makeup is not safe to use on a facial piercing. But we also understand that there might be circumstances where you would feel more comfortable wearing makeup.
If so, we recommend choosing a hypoallergenic foundation with gentle ingredients.
BaeBlu Organic Aloe-Based LUX Liquid Foundation
This American-made foundation comes in a wide range of shades for light to dark skin tones.
It’s formulated with certified organic ingredients and no artificial colors, fragrances, or preservatives.
Furthermore, it’s gluten-free and vegan.
Never greasy, it won’t clog pores. But it will nourish the skin with anti-aging benefits.
BS-MALL Premium Makeup Brush Set
Please don’t use dirty makeup brushes when you have a new piercing. Upgrade to this inexpensive set of sixteen brushes in a variety of sizes. There’s everything from kabuki style to tiny tapered brushes.
The bristles are synthetic yet soft. Wash them with baby shampoo to prevent contamination.
Forbidden Body Jewelry Clear Bioflex Retainer
But don’t worry if you have to take out your piercing for sports, your job, or a medical procedure. You don’t have to let the hole close-up if you wear a retainer like this one.
These transparent studs are barely noticeable. What’s more, they are skin-safe even if you wear them overnight or for days at a time.
We hope you enjoy your new piercing. Come back soon to get more answers about piercing and aftercare.
Source:
1. https://www.safepiercing.org/aftercare.php by The Association of Professional Piercers, accessed January 23, 2021