According to Gallup, 17% of Americans reported smoking weed last year. And while it can be a positive experience, the smell can linger. If you have a septum or nose piercing, you might find that the smell sticks even more.
It can be frustrating, especially if you want to keep your piercings fresh and clean. Let’s take a closer look into effective methods to remove weed smell from septum and nose piercings.
Understanding the Cause of the Smell
There are three main reasons why weed smoke tends to linger in septum and nose piercings. They are:
- Residue from the smoke clings to the jewelry
- Skin around the piercing absorbs the smell
- Insufficient cleaning allows odors to build up over time
Residue from Smoke Clings to Jewelry
When you’re exposed to weed smoke, tiny particles in the smoke can easily cling to the metal of your piercing jewelry. The residue is often sticky, which makes it harder to remove with a simple rinse. Metal jewelry, especially if it has crevices or is not made of a smooth material, can trap these particles, leading to a persistent smell.
Skin Absorbs the Smell
The skin around your septum and nose piercings is highly absorbent, especially if the area is not well-maintained. Oils produced by your skin can mix with the smoke particles, making the smell more noticeable and harder to eliminate.
Insufficient Cleaning Leads to Build-Up
Regular cleaning is essential for any piercing, but it becomes even more important when dealing with strong odors like those from weed. If you don’t clean your septum and nose piercings thoroughly and regularly, the smell can build up over time. It happens because the residue isn’t fully removed, allowing the odor to persist and sometimes even worsen.
Nose Piercing Care: Immediate Steps to Take After Exposure
Remove your jewelry as soon as possible. Taking the jewelry out right away stops the smoke residue from further embedding itself into the metal.
Once the jewelry is removed, rinse your piercing with lukewarm water or a saline solution. This simple rinse helps to wash away any particles that may have settled on your skin or inside the piercing hole. Saline solution is a gentle and effective option for cleaning, as it doesn’t irritate the skin and is readily available.
After rinsing, avoid the urge to touch or rotate your piercing. Touching or moving the piercing can push the residue deeper into the skin or cause irritation, which may lead to an infection.
It’s best to let the area air dry or gently pat it dry with a clean tissue.
By following these immediate steps, you can significantly reduce the chances of the smell sticking around. Quick and proper care after exposure ensures that your septum and nose piercings remain clean and fresh, preventing any unpleasant odors from becoming a long-term issue.
Cleaning Your Septum and Nose Piercing
Now let’s go over the best practices for cleaning the area fully.
Instructions:
- The first step in cleaning your piercings is using a saline solution. Saline is a mixture of salt and water that’s safe for piercings and helps to gently cleanse the area without causing irritation. You can buy pre-made saline solution or make it yourself by mixing a quarter teaspoon of non-iodized salt in a cup of warm water.
- Soak a clean cotton ball or gauze pad in the solution, then gently press it against your piercing.
- Hold it there for a few minutes to allow the solution to work. This helps to break down and remove any trapped residue or oils that may be causing the smell.
- It’s important to clean both your piercing and the jewelry itself.
- Remove the jewelry carefully, and soak it in the saline solution. This helps to loosen any residue or debris.
- After soaking, use a clean, soft brush or cloth to gently scrub the jewelry, paying attention to any grooves or details where residue might be hiding.
- Rinse the jewelry thoroughly with warm water before putting it back into your piercing.
- Make sure your hands are clean before handling your piercing to avoid introducing new bacteria or debris.
Stick to a Regular Cleaning Schedule to Prevent Odors
To keep your piercings smelling fresh, it’s essential to maintain a regular cleaning routine. Even if you’re not dealing with a specific odor issue, regular cleaning prevents the build-up of oils, sweat, and other particles that can cause smells over time.
Aim to clean your piercings at least once a day, or more often if you’ve been exposed to smoke or other strong odors. Regular maintenance will help keep your piercings looking and smelling clean, ensuring that odors don’t become a recurring problem.
Deep Piercing Cleaning Tips for Persistent Smells
When regular cleaning isn’t enough to remove persistent weed smells from your septum and nose piercings, you’ll need to take more thorough steps.
- The first step in deep cleaning is to remove your jewelry and soak it in a mild cleaning solution. A good option is a mixture of warm water and a small amount of gentle, non-alcoholic soap. This soak helps to break down and remove any stubborn residue or buildup that regular rinsing might not address.
- Let the jewelry sit in the solution for about 10-15 minutes.
- After soaking, use a soft brush, like a toothbrush with soft bristles, to gently scrub the jewelry. Pay special attention to any grooves or details where dirt and residue can hide.
- Rinse the jewelry thoroughly with warm water and allow it to air dry on a clean surface before reinserting it into your piercing.
Using Natural Remedies for Odor Control
One popular natural remedy is tea tree oil, which is known for its antibacterial and deodorizing properties. To use tea tree oil, dilute a few drops with water to avoid irritating your skin.
Apply the diluted mixture to your piercing using a cotton swab, gently dabbing it around the area. Tea tree oil not only helps remove odors but also keeps the piercing clean and free from bacteria.
Another option is using a paste made from baking soda and water. Baking soda is a natural deodorizer that can absorb odors and neutralize them. Mix a small amount of baking soda with water to create a thick paste.
Apply this paste to the piercing, let it sit for a few minutes, and then rinse it off with warm water. This method is safe and effective for keeping your piercings fresh.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When trying to remove weed smells from your septum and nose piercings, it’s easy to make mistakes that can lead to more problems. There are three common errors to watch out for:
- Using harsh chemicals
- Over-cleaning or excessive scrubbing
- Ignoring signs of irritation
Using Harsh Chemicals
One of the biggest mistakes people make is using harsh chemicals to clean their piercings. Products like rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or strong soaps might seem effective, but they can actually do more harm than good.
The chemicals can irritate the delicate skin around your piercing, leading to dryness, redness, and even infection. Stick to gentle cleaning solutions like saline or mild soap and water. They’re just as effective at removing smells without the risk of causing damage.
Over-Cleaning or Excessive Scrubbing
Another mistake is over-cleaning or scrubbing the piercing too hard. While it’s important to keep your piercing clean, too much cleaning can irritate the skin and delay healing.
Scrubbing with too much force can also cause micro-tears in the skin, which can become entry points for bacteria. It’s best to clean your piercing gently and consistently, following the recommended steps without overdoing it.
Ignoring Signs of Irritation
Finally, it’s important not to ignore signs of irritation or infection. If your piercing becomes red, swollen, or starts to ooze, these could be signs that something is wrong.
Continuing to clean the piercing aggressively in this state can make the problem worse. Instead, it’s important to take a step back and assess the situation. If you’re unsure about what’s happening, consider consulting a professional piercer or a healthcare provider for advice.
Preventing Weed Smell in the Future
The simplest way to prevent weed smells from sticking to your piercings is to avoid direct exposure to smoke whenever possible. If you’re smoking or around others who are, try to keep your face away from the direct path of the smoke.
It reduces the chances of the smoke settling onto your jewelry or skin. If you can’t avoid exposure, consider stepping outside or finding a well-ventilated area where the smoke can disperse more quickly.
Weed Smell Removal Tips
Keeping your septum and nose piercing fresh and odor-free requires regular cleaning, attention to detail, and knowing when to seek professional help.
Sage Seed has a strong focus on customer satisfaction, education, and wellness. We’re committed to bringing the highest quality cannabis products to our community. Our knowledgeable staff is committed to helping you discover the best products for your needs.
Get in touch today to find out how we can help with your weed selection!
