What is the LITHA Method of Aftercare?
What is it?
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It stands for "Leave It The Heck Alone." LITHA is remarkably self-explanatory. After you've been pierced, instead of fussing around with the piercing, you simply leave it alone. Don't touch it. Don't poke it. Don't adjust it. Hands off!
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While some individuals are hardcore proponents of the LITHA method, others simply use it as a soft guideline. This doesn't mean you can't let water run over your piercing in the shower or use a bit of salt soak saline to loosen up "crusties."
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Disclaimer: ALWAYS follow the aftercare methods that are prescribed by your professional piercer. They are the most qualified individuals to tell you how to handle your piercing aftercare. If you think the LITHA method sounds right for you, discuss it with them during your in-person session at the piercing studio.
Why?
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Cleaning with saline spray is generally considered the #1 safest method for aftercare, but too much cleaning can actually have an adverse effect on your healing piercings.
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Perhaps more importantly, even though intentions can be good when it comes to aftercare, it is more often an excuse to touch, poke, or prod your healing piercings. This is essentially detrimental to healing up your piercing. While it may be tempting to wash away "crusties" or build-up, doing so with any sort of force or friction can certainly affect your piercing adversely.
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Moving your jewelry inside your piercing can damage the fragile cells that your body has been building. This trauma will extend the length of your recovery, which is especially tough with long, difficult-to-heal piercings like nipple piercings or ear cartilage.
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Remember that "crusties" are actually lymph fluid or blood being expelled by your body to naturally clean out your piercing site. While it may seem "dirty," these are actually natural barriers to the outside world - they have a secondary function as a way to keep bacterial invaders and other debris out.
Other tips
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NEVER put any harsh chemicals or essential oils on your healing piercings. This includes alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, Bactine, anything with the chemical triclosan, and essential oils
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When it comes to "topicals," stick solely to saline soaks and warm showers, but definitely avoid spraying your piercing directly with a jet of water! Simply let the water glide over your piercing. No rubbing or scrubbing!
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Try not to sleep (or put any pressure or stress) on your piercings at all. For example, if you are considering getting a tragus piercing, get it on the opposite side of your head that you sleep on (or invest in a travel donut pillow).
