Chemicals and cleaning agents to avoid:

Alcohol dries out tissue, kills white blood cells, and breaks down proteins.

Hydrogen Peroxide dries out tissue, kills white blood cells, inhibits new cell growth and does not kill all bacteria.

Triclosan (lever 2000) disrupts the microbial cell wall and can dry out tissue.

Hexachlorophene (Phisohex, Phisoderm) can cause hypertrophic scarring and photo allergy (sensitivity to the sun).

Iodine and Iodophors (betadine) causes skin irritation, it must be removed from skin after drying and can implode or explode tissue cells.

Benzylkonium Chloride (Bactine, Ear care Solutions) harbors and grows Pseudomonus Aeruginosa. Analgesic contained in bactine can cause allergy reactions.

Petroleum based Products (Neosporin, Bacitracin and Triple action Antibiotics) clogs pores, is not water soluble, and harbors bacteria.

Never use Betadine surgical scrub, isopropyl rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide or products such as PHisoderm on your piercing; they slow down the healing process.