Why do piercings get infected even once the skin is closed?

Question

I have a 6 month old helix piercing, and I’ve received enormously conflicting advice about whether it’s safe to swim or whether I should wait another 6 months. I know it takes a long time for the cartilage inside my ear to heal fully, but the skin is completely closed- there hasn’t been any bleeding in months. So how is it that it could still get infected? Doesn’t the skin protect against that?

Thanks!!

In: 2

Answer 1

I’ve had many piercings always swam in the ocean after. It’s better to clean them with alcohol wipes 2x a day and just wash them as you would in the shower. Keeping them clean is the key. Never had an issue.