Piercing Aftercare Tips: Can I Use A Tea Bag Compress?
Posted by Body Candy on
Tea Bag Compresses
Piercing aftercare can be quite tricky. Everyone's body is different and every piercer is different, meaning each and every time you head to a piercing shop, your experience will be unique. Sea salt soaks and sterile saline sprays are a very common aftercare procedure and are almost always a safe bet... But occasionally a professional piercer may recommend putting a tea bag on your piercing.
What's that all about?
Tannins
It might not be too far of a stretch to understand that a gentle tea bag compress would be soothing on a fresh piercing. After all, a nice cup of tea in the evening is a great way to wind down after a long hard day... But what's the actual, scientific reasoning behind this pleasant soothing sensation?
When you take a sip of strong, black tea, you'll probably experience a bitter, earthy taste. This flavor profile comes from tannins, which are chemical compounds that have lots of beneficial properties, especially when applied to your healing piercings. A strongly-brewed black tea will be packed full of tannins, which is what makes them such great aftercare tools.
Fun fact: tannins are what gives tea its rich, brown color.
Tannins are:
Antiseptic - a substance that stops or slows down the growth of microorganisms like bacteria
Antiviral - a substance that suppresses a virus' ability to reproduce or kills it altogether
Anti-inflammatory - a substance that reduces inflammation or swelling
Other Tea-Related Goodness:
Tannins aren't the only amazing benefit of tea bag compresses. Because the compress is warm, it can help to encourage circulation to the piercing site. More blood flow to your piercing means that much extra healing attention being provided by your body's natural reaction to being injured.
Certain types of tea are also full of potent flavonoids and other powerful anti-oxidants, which are both helpful in fighting inflammation and free-radical cells that can damage your bodily tissues.
How to Apply a Tea Bag To Your Piercing:
Sometimes sea salt soaks are inconvenient (have you ever tried to gracefully dip your nipple or nose into salt water?). It's certainly possible, but in some cases, a tea bag might actually be a lot more convenient. Here are the steps for a successful application:
1.) Brew the tea bag - unpack the tea bag and put it in a mug or cup. Add hot water so that the tea bag starts to release its brown color.
2.) Take the tea bag out - BE CAREFUL - if you used boiling water to brew the tea, wait until the bag is warm to the touch so you don't burn your skin.
3.) Wring the tea bag - head to a sink and squeeze some of the moisture out of the tea bag. Just a bit of dampness is fine - there is no need to have tea dripping down your body while you are applying the tea bag compress.
4.) Press the bag to your piercing - don't be shy, put the tea bag directly onto your piercing. Not too hard - you don't want to put any unnecessary pressure on the piercing. Putting the tea bag directly onto the piercing site (so it makes contact with the skin) will ensure the tannins can work their magic, and will also form a protective barrier between your piercing and the world.
5.) Leave it on - there's no time limit to how long you should apply these compresses. Try to do it while you are relaxing, so you're not fussing with it. Kick back and watch your favorite show or read a book.
6.) Repeat as often as possible - there's also no limit on the amount of times you can do this in a day. Just make sure you aren't putting any unnecessary pressure on the piercing site. Try to make time to do this once a day
Bonus.) Drink the tea - no use letting that freshly brewed cup go to waste! You can even drink the tea while you use the tea bag as a compress! Very meta.
For more information about sea salt soaks, another wonderful aftercare tip, check out our helpful blog here.
-
A
BodyCandy COLLECTION
Ready to find out more about our new, and upcoming products? Sign up below.
Categories
- 13
- 14k gold body jewelry
- 14k gold jewelry
- 14k gold nose hoops
- 14k gold nose jewelry
- 14k gold nose rings
- 14k gold rings
- 14k jewelry
- 14k nose rings
- 14KT gold jewelry
- 14kt gold nose rings
- 14kt gold toe rings
- 18k nose rings
- 2015 gift guide
- 2016 body jewelry fashion
- 2016 christmas gift guide
- 2016 gift guide
- 2016 piercings
- 316L surgical grade stainless steel
- 420
- 4th of July
- 925 sterling silver
- accessorizing
- acrylic
- acrylic nose rings
- acupuncture
- add on charm
- adjust a belly ring
- after care
- aftercare
- aftercare time
- aftercare tips
- age
- Age of Utron
- ahs
- ahs body jewelry
- allergic reactions
- allergies
- almost free body jewelry
- alternative
- Alternative and Gothic Fashion Now
- alternative fashion
- America
- american
- American comics
- american horror story
- american horror story hotel
- american horror story season 5
- anchor
- ancient chinese medicine
- angel bites
- ankle bracelet
- annealed body jewelry
- annealed d rings
- annealed jewelry
- annealed metal
- annealed seamless rings
- annealed stainless steel
- annealed surgical steel
- annealed treatment
- anodized body jewelry
- anodized titanium
- anti
- anti tragus
- anti tragus piercing
- anti-tragus
- appearance standards
- art
- autumn body jewelry
- awards
- awareness belly rings
- babies
- baby
- back to school
- back to school body jewelry
- back to school list
- back to school shopping
- backgrounds
- bad luck
- ball captive ring
- ball captive rings
- ball removal tool
- bamboo tattooing
- barbell
- barbell earrings
- base metal
- baseball
- baseball body jewelry
- baseball season
- basic
- basic black
- basketball
- batman
- batman body jewelry
- batman jewelry
- batman v superman
- batman v superman blog
- bcr
- bcr gauge
- BCRs
- beach
- beach wear
- bead captive ring
- bee
- bells
- belly button rings
- belly chains
- belly piercing jewelry
- Belly Piercings
- belly ring
- belly rings
- belt
- belt buckle
- Belts and Buckles
- best friend belly rings
- best friend jewelry
- best friends
- best friends belly rings
- best friends day
- best friends necklaces
- bff
- bff belly rings
- BFF jewelry
- bikini
- bioplast
- bioplast nose rings
- birthstone body jewelry
- birthstone jewelry
- birthstone nose rings
- birthstones
- black
- black cats
- black friday
- black friday savings
- black friday shopping
- blood red
- blue topaz
- body art
- Body Art and Extreme Modification
- body candy
- body candy body jewelry
- body candy fans
- body candy jewelry
- body candy piercing videos
- body jewelry
- body jewelry fashion
- body jewelry gift guide
- body jewelry gifts
- Body Jewelry History
- Body Jewelry Information
- body jewelry list
- Body Jewelry Materials
- body jewelry parts
- body jewelry shopping
- body jewelry style
- body jewelry styles
- body jewelry tools
- body jewelry trends
- body mod myths
- body modification
- body mods
- body mods style
- body piercing
- body piercing aftercare
- body piercing care
- body piercing culture
- body piercing day
- Body Piercing Encyclopedia
- body piercing fashion
- body piercing gift guide
- body piercing healing time
- Body Piercing Interviews
- body piercing jewelry
- body piercing myths
- body piercing shopping
- body piercing tool
- body piercing trends
- body piercing video
- body piercings
- bodycandy
- bodycandy earrings
- bodycandy gift certificates
- bodycandy gift guide
- bodycandy gifts
- bodycandyfans
- bodymods
- bohemian
- bone body jewelry
- brand new styles
- breast cancer awareness
- breast cancer awareness belly rings
- breast cancer belly rings
- breast cancer research foundation
- bridge piercing
- broken mirrors
- brooches
- buckle
- buddha plugs
- bumble bee
- butterfly
- buzz
- candy cane
- cannabis
- captive ball ring
- captive bead ring
- captive jewelry
- captive ring
- captive ring sizing
- captive rings
- care for coated body jewelry
- care for plated body jewelry
- careers
- carolina panthers jewelry
- cartilage
- cartilage ear chains
- cartilage ear piercing
- cartilage earring
- cartilage earring piercing
- cartilage earring sets
- cartilage earring size
- cartilage earrings
- cartilage gauge
- cartilage jewelry
- cartilage piercing
- cartilage piercing jewelry
- cartilage piercings
- cats
- cbr
- celebrate body piercing
- celebrating women
- Celebrity Piercing
- ceramic coated body jewelry
- charm nose rings
- charms
- cheap gifts
- cheater plugs
- cheater taper
- chest dermals
- Chirstmas savings
- Christmas and Hannukah Jewelry
- christmas gift guide
- christmas tree
- circular barbell
- circular barbells
- circular ring
- circular rings
- citrine
- citrine body jewelry
- clip on
- clip on body jewelry
- clip on jewelry
- clip on nose ring
- clip on septum clicker
- clip on septum jewelry
- clip on septum ring
- closure ring
- closure rings
- clothes hanger cartilage earring
- clotheshanger earring
- coachella
- coated body jewelry
- cocktail rings
- college
- collegiate
- comics
- comics history
- concealing piercings
- concert
- conch
- conch cartilage piercing
- conch ear piercing
- conch piercing
- conch piercing experience
- conch piercing video
- conch video
- concha ear piercing
- concha piercing
- Coolest Piercings You May Have Never Heard Of
- cosmic
- counterculture
- covering piercings
- Crash Course
- creepy body jewelry
- crop tops
- cubic zirconia
- cubic zirconia body jewelry
- curved barbell
- Custom Jewelry
- custom tongue rings
- customized tongue rings
- cyber monday
- cyber monday savings
- CZ
- cz body jewelry
- d-ring
- d-ring body jewelry
- daisy
- daith
- daith body jewelry
- daith cartilage jewelry
- daith earring
- daith earrings
- daith headache cure
- daith jewelry
- daith migraine cure
- daith migraine piercing
- daith piercing
- dangle belly rings
- dangle body jewelry
- dangle earrings
- dangle industrials
- dangle plug set
- dangle plugs
- dangles
- darkness
- dawn of justice
- dawn of justice jewelry
- DC comics
- denver broncos jewelry
- deodorant
- dermal anchor
- dermal piercing
- dermal piercing video
- dermal piercings
- dermal project
- dermal tops
- dermal video
- dermals
- diagonal nipple piercing
- diamond nose rings
- digital downloads
- dimple piercings
- DIY
- diy gifts
- diy halloween costume
- dogs
- double
- double finger ring
- double helix piercing
- double nose piercing
- double nostril piercing
- double tongue piercing
- dream catcher belly ring
- druzy
- druzy belly ring
- druzy body jewelry
- Dyngus Day
- ear chains
- ear flat
- ear flat piercing
- ear hangers
- ear head piercing
- ear lobe
- ear lobe piercing
- ear piercing
- ear piercing information
- Ear Piercings
- ear stretching
- ear weights
- earlobe stretching
- earring
- earring gauge
- earring packs
- earring sets
- earrings
- earth
- Easter
- Elayne Angel
- electroplated
- electroplating
- elephant belly ring
- enamel coated body jewelry
- end of summer
- end of summer blues
- end of the summer fashion
- externally threaded
- extreme body mod
- eyebrow piercing
- Eyebrow Piercings
- eyebrow ring
- eyebrow rings
- face septum piercing
- facial piercings
- fact vs. fiction
- fake body jewelry
- fake nose ring
- fake piercings
- fake septum clicker
- fake septum jewelry
- fake septum piercing
- fake septum ring
- fall body jewelry
- fall fashion
- fall look
- fall style
- faq
- fashion
- fashion jewelry
- fashion jewelry trends
- fashion nose ring
- fashion sense
- fat tuesday
- fate
- faux
- faux body jewelry
- faux hoop nose ring
- faux nose hoop
- faux nose ring
- faux opal
- faux septum clicker
- faux septum clickers
- faux septum jewelry
- faux septum ring
- faux turquoise
- FCBD
- feather jewelry
- feather nose ring
- feminism
- feminist
- festival
- festival fashion
- festival season
- festival trends
- first time
- fishtail
- fishtail nose ring
- fishtail nose rings
- flags
- flat cartilage piercing
- fleur de lis
- flexible belly button ring
- flexible belly ring
- flexible cartilage earrings
- flexible navel ring
- floral trends
- flower
- flower belly rings
- flower child body jewelry
- flower nose ring
- forward helix
- forward helix cartilage piercing
- forward helix piercing information
- forward pinna piercing
- four twenty
- fourth of july belly rings
- fourth of july jewelry
- Free Comic Book Day
- free spirit body jewelry
- freedom
- frenulum linguae
- frenulum linguae piercing
- Friday the 13th
- friendship belly rings
- friendship bracelets
- funk off
- gabriel-kane day-lewis
- ganga
- ganja
- gauged ears
- gauged lobes
- gauges
- gauging earlobes
- gemstones
- genuine diamonds
- Get Social
- getting pierced
- getting piercings
- getting tongue pierced
- gift certificates
- Gift Guide
- Gifts
- girl power
- girly fashion
- give jewelry
- global jewelry
- gold
- gold jewelry
- gold plated
- gold toe rings
- goth
- gothic
- gothic fashion
- Gothic home decor
- gothic lifestyle
- gothic style
- grade 23 titanium
- Grammy Awards
- Grammys
- grinder plugs
- groovy body jewelry
- guide
- h2ocean
- Halloween
- halloween belly rings
- halloween body jewelry
- halloween bodycandy
- halloween costume ideas
- halloween costumes
- halloween costumes women
- halloween fashion
- Halloween Jewelry
- halloween looks
- halloween plugs
- halloween style
- halloween tongue rings
- handcrafted body jewelry
- handcrafted industrial barbells
- handcrafted jewelry
- handcrafted nose rings
- handmade nose ring
- hangers
- headache remedy
- headaches
- healing piercings
- healing time
- helix
- helix cartilage ear piercing
- helix cartilage piercing
- helix ear piercing
- helix earring
- helix piercing
- helix root piercing
- hello kitty
- hemp
- hemp leaf
- hide body piercings
- hiding nose piercings
- hiding piercings
- hiding piercings for school
- hiding piercings for work
- high ear lobe
- high lobe ear piercing
- high lobe piercing
- high nostril piercing
- higher perspective
- hinged segment rings
- hippie
- hippie body jewelry
- history of spring break
- hockey body jewelry
- hockey jewelry
- hoilday 2016
- holiday body jewelry
- holiday earrings
- holiday gift guide
- holiday gifts
- Holiday Jewelry
- holiday savings
- home decor
- honey
- honey bee
- hoop earrings
- hoop tunnel plug earrings
- hoops
- horizontal nipple piercing
- horizontal nipple piercings
- horn body jewelry
- horseshoe barbell
- horseshoe circular barbell
- horseshoe ring
- horseshoe rings
- how old do you have to be to get a piercing without parental consent
- how to
- how to guide
- how to heal piercings
- how to hide a nose ring
- how to hide body piercings
- how to hide piercings
- how to hide septum piercing
- how to measure
- how to stretch
- how to stretch your lobes
- hypoallergenic
- imitation septum clicker
- implants
- increasing gauge size
- independence day
- individual plugs
- industrial
- industrial bar length
- industrial barbell
- industrial barbells
- industrial fit
- industrial piercing
- industrial piercings
- Industrials
- inexpensive gifts
- ink
- inner cartilage piercing
- inner conch piercing
- inner helix piercing
- internally threaded
- international body piercing day
- international piercing day
- international women's day
- international women's history month
- ion plated jewelry
- ion plating
- ip body jewelry
- ip jewelry
- Japanese comics
- japanese fashion
- jewelry
- jewelry as gifts
- jewelry cleaning
- Jewelry Fashion
- jewelry making classes
- jewelry sensitivity
- Jewelry Sizing
- jewelry storage
- jewelry tools
- jewlery
- jim ward
- July 4th
- july birthstone
- justice
- kawaii
- know your materials
- know your metals
- Kristen Horner Warren
- l-shaped
- l-shaped faux hoop
- l-shaped hoop
- l-shaped nose ring
- l-shaped nose rings
- labret
- Labret and Monroe Piercings
- labrets
- lapel pins
- laws
- legal age for piercings
- leprechaun
- licensed body jewelry
- licensed jewelry
- licensed mlb jewelry
- licensed nfl belly rings
- licensed nfl jewelry
- Life in ink
- lip
- lip piercing
- lip rings
- live piercings
- logo nose rings
- love
- lower back
- lunar astrology
- lunar belly rings
- lunar eclipse
- make jewelry
- manga
- mardi gras
- marijuana
- marley piercing
- marsala
- Marvel comics
- Masters of Modification
- materials
- materials and metals
- maternity piercings
- measure cartilage earring
- measuring barbells
- medusa
- Men's Jewelry and Fashion
- metallic tattoo trend
- metallic tattoos
- metals
- micro nose rings
- microdermals
- migraines
- mismatched
- mix and match
- mlb
- Modification Around the World
- Modification Culture
- modified culture
- modified fashion
- modified lobes
- modified professionals
- monroe
- monroe piercing
- moon belly rings
- Mothers Day and Fathers Day Jewelry
- movies
- Multi Functional Body Jewelry
- music
- music festival
- music festival fashion
- music festival trends
- music history
- nape
- national hockey league
- National Jewel Day
- national piercing day
- national pink day
- native american
- native inspired
- native inspired body jewelry
- native jewelry
- natural body jewelry
- natural stone
- natural stones
- natural wood
- nautical outfits
- navel
- navel jewelry
- navel rings
- Necklaces and Pendants
- nerdy style
- new arrivals
- new belly rings
- New Body Jewelry
- new body jewelry styles
- new england patriots jewelry
- new fashion
- new jewelry
- new nipple rings
- new piercings
- new plugs
- new septum clickers
- new septum rings
- new styles
- nfl belly rings
- nfl body jewelry
- nfl navel rings
- nfl team jewelry
- nhl
- nhl body jewelry
- nhl jewelry
- nighttime
- nipple barbell
- nipple chain
- nipple jewelry
- nipple piercing
- nipple piercing experience
- nipple piercing reaction
- nipple piercing video
- nipple piercings
- nipple ring
- nipple ring sets
- Nipple Rings
- Non-Pierced Body Jewelry
- nose bone
- nose hook
- nose hoop
- nose hoops
- nose jewelry
- nose piercing
- nose piercing jewelry
- nose piercing materials
- nose piercing process
- nose piercing size
- nose piercing video
- Nose Piercings
- nose retainers
- nose ring
- nose ring decorations
- nose ring gems
- nose ring jewelry
- nose ring labret
- nose ring materials
- nose ring piercing
- nose ring sizing
- nose ring studs
- nose ring style
- nose ring styles
- nose ring types
- nose rings
- nose screws
- nose stud
- nose studs
- nose twister
- nostril piercing
- nostril piercing video
- nostril ring
- november birthstone
- o-rings
- ocean
- officially licensed mlb jewelry
- officially licensed nfl jewelry
- officially licensed nhl jewelry
- online shopping
- opal
- opal belly ring
- opal body jewelry
- opal jewelry
- opal nose rings
- opal rings
- opals
- Oral Piercings
- organic body jewelry
- organic wood
- organic wood plugs
- outer conch jewelry
- outer conch piercing
- oxidizing
- pain management
- paraskevidekatriaphobia
- parental consent for piercings
- part three
- pastel goth
- patriot
- patriotic body jewelry
- peace
- personality types
- personalized tongue rings
- philtrum
- physical vapor deposition
- Pick of the Day
- pier
- pierced and proud
- pierced ear
- pierced ears
- pierced fashion
- pierced gifts
- pierced pride
- piercing
- piercing aftercare
- piercing age
- Piercing and Aftercare Information
- piercing day
- piercing experience
- piercing experiences
- piercing guidelines
- piercing gun
- piercing healing
- piercing healing time
- piercing history
- piercing information
- piercing law
- piercing laws
- piercing minors
- piercing myths
- piercing pain
- piercing reaction
- piercing requirements
- piercing rules
- piercing shops
- piercing size
- piercing studio
- piercing style
- piercing styles
- piercing tongue
- piercing trends
- piercing video
- piercing videos
- piercing with parental consent
- piercings
- piercings 2016
- piercings named after people
- Piercisms
- pink belly rings
- pink body jewelry
- pink fashion
- pipe taper
- pittsburgh penguins
- plated body jewelry
- platinum
- platinum nose rings
- playing cards
- plug fashion
- plug life
- plug sizes
- plug style
- pluglife
- plugs
- Plugs and Gauging
- plugs and tunnels
- polytetrafluoroethylene
- polyvore
- pop of color
- popular body piercing
- popular piercings
- precious gems
- pregnancy
- pregnancy belly button care
- pregnancy belly button ring
- pregnancy belly ring
- pregnancy body jewelry
- pregnancy jewelry
- pregnancy navel ring
- pregnancy piercing
- prenancy belly ring
- pressure point
- professional piercing video
- project bar
- PTFE
- punk
- purple
- pvd body jewelry
- pvd jewelry
- quality 14kt gold
- quality body jewelry
- quality nose rings
- reactions to metals
- recycle
- red
- replacement balls
- replacement parts
- research
- retro
- right for you
- Rings
- Rising Stars of Modern Piercing
- rock n roll outfit
- rocker outfits
- romantic
- rook
- rook cartilage piercing
- rook ear piercing
- rook earrings
- rook jewelry
- rook piercing
- rook piercing jewelry
- rose gold
- rose gold body jewelry
- rose gold jewelry
- rose gold nose hoop
- rose gold nose ring
- rose gold nose rings
- ruby birthstone
- ruby red gemstones
- rustic jewelry
- Saint Patrick's Day Jewelry
- sales
- san jose sharks
- save the hooters
- scamp
- scapha artilage piercing
- scapha piercing
- scapha piercingsizing
- school shopping
- school supplies
- scrumper
- scrumper piercing
- seamless rings
- seasonal body jewelry
- seattle seahawks jewelry
- second nose piercing
- second tongue piercing
- segment ring
- segment rings
- semi precious stone
- septum
- septum clicker
- septum clickers
- septum hoop
- septum jewelry
- septum pierced
- septum piercing
- septum piercing jewelry
- septum ring
- septum rings
- sexy halloween costumes
- shop and save
- shop online and save
- shopping guide
- sideburn piercing
- sideburn tragus
- silver plated
- similar-posts--back-to-school-essentials-are-waiting-for-you-at-bodycandy-com
- similar-posts--ear-stretching-guide-part-1
- similar-posts--ear-stretching-guide-part-2
- similar-posts--ear-stretching-guide-part-3
- similar-posts--encyclopedia-of-body-piercings-conch-cartilage-piercing
- similar-posts--encyclopedia-of-body-piercings-daith-cartilage-piercing
- similar-posts--encyclopedia-of-body-piercings-forward-helix-cartilage-piercing
- similar-posts--encyclopedia-of-body-piercings-rook-cartilage-piercing
- similar-posts--encyclopedia-of-body-piercings-scapha-outer-conch-cartilage-piercing
- similar-posts--encyclopedia-of-body-piercings-standard-helix-cartilage-piercing
- similar-posts--feminine-macabre-how-piercing-culture-is-playing-a-role-in-fashion
- similar-posts--get-your-style-in-shape-with-summer-beach-body-jewelry
- similar-posts--get-your-summer-glow-on-while-you-still-can
- similar-posts--gone-goth-back-never-a-few-quick-tricks-for-dorm-room-gothification-that-year-round-halloween-feeling
- similar-posts--halloween-body-jewelry-part-2-zombies
- similar-posts--hitting-the-mark-arrow-native-american-inspired-style
- similar-posts--internally-threaded-vs-externally-threaded-body-jewelry
- similar-posts--jewelry-fashion-fix-the-world-through-halloween-colored-glasses
- similar-posts--jewelry-fashion-trending-the-native-american-mystique
- similar-posts--keeping-up-with-the-threads
- similar-posts--nightmares-before-christmas-fashion-s-black-swan
- similar-posts--piercing-experiences-ashleigh-s-nose-piercing-video
- similar-posts--piercing-experiences-jacqui-s-tragus-piercing-video
- similar-posts--piercing-experiences-liz-s-second-nose-piercing-video
- similar-posts--piercing-experiences-skella-s-conch-piercing-video
- similar-posts--piercing-experiences-troys-septum-piercing-video
- similar-posts--piercing-fashion-flash-wicked-cool-witch-house-style
- similar-posts--quick-take-keeping-up-with-the-threads
- similar-posts--the-modern-modification-lifestyle-trending-for-halloween-2013
- similar-posts--the-nose-knows-a-style-guide-for-nose-piercing-fashion
- similar-posts--trending-for-summer-sweet-on-the-southwest
- similar-posts--witch-crafts-and-fashion-guide-tips-and-tricks-for-a-witchy-aesthetic
- sizing
- sizing up
- sizing up gauges
- skeleton belly ring
- skeleton body jewelry
- skin diver
- skull
- skull belly rings
- skull body jewelry
Intesting. Dont think I’ve ever used tea bags before. Nice tip for future reference