Piercing Aftercare

Aftercare Guidelines for Body Piercings

EACH BODY IS UNIQUE AND HEALING TIMES VARY CONSIDERABLY. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE CONTACT YOUR PIERCER.

We hope you enjoy your new piercing for years to come. The time required for your piercing to heal completely varies, in most cases jewelry must be left in for at least the first 3 months. Your piercing might look healed before this time but it’s important to be patient and wait the entire healing period before changing your jewelry out or ceasing your aftercare routine. If your piercing must come out sooner for medical reasons, often we can help you with this process so that you don’t lose your piercing.

If proper cleaning is done your risk of infection is greatly reduced. The most common problems are:

Dirty hands or saliva touching it before it is healed.
Using a cleaning agent that can damage your piercing.
Wearing inferior quality jewelry or metals.
Proper cleaning not being performed daily.
“Playing” with jewelry before piercing is healed.

If you have any problem with healing we will be happy to help, however, understand we can only make suggestions, we are not physicians. A physician must be contacted as soon as possible if a problem persists.

Cleaning Solutions

USE ONE OR BOTH OF THE FOLLOWING SOLUTIONS FOR HEALING PIERCINGS:

Packaged sterile saline solution with no additives (read the label), or a non-iodized sea salt mixture: Dissolve 1/4 teaspoon of non-iodized (iodine-free) sea salt into one cup (8 oz.) of warm distilled or bottled water. A stronger mixture is not better; a saline solution that is too strong can irritate the piercing.
A mild, fragrance-free liquid soap—preferably anti-microbial or germicidal.

Use a mild liquid antimicrobial/germicidal medicated soap such as Provon or Satin, and water. Inferior alternatives include products such as Almay Clearly Natural, Hypocare, NutriBiotic; or other mild, fragrance-free and color-free liquid antibacterial soap. These should possibly be diluted with distilled or bottled water, depending on product strength. Try and avoid soaps that use Triclosan as the active ingredient, such as Dial. These soaps are much harsher on new skin cells and can damage your piercing. Also, mild non-iodized (no iodine) sea salt soaks as described below.

Sea salt soaks are strongly suggested at least once a day to accelerate healing and increase your comfort. This may also help to reduce irritation in the area. Dissolve a pinch (1/4 teaspoon) of sea salt into one cup(8 oz.) of warm or hot water in a clean cup. Distilled water is optimal. A stronger solution is not better as you can burn your piercing with too much salt. Invert it over the area to form a vacuum and soak directly for a few minutes. For certain placements it is easier to use a clean cotton ball or gauze pad soaked in the salt water and applied to the pierced area. Follow with a clear water rinse or splash then pat dry with paper products.

Salt water soaks help to stimulate air and blood circulation which facilitates healing. You can do a brief salt water soak before your daily cleaning(s) as well as several additional times a day. It is particularly advisable to soak before you do anything active, as it will prevent crust from being pulled inside the piercing as you move around. Salt water is the only additional product (other than the cleanser and water)we suggest you use to care for your piercing.

One soak per day should be for at least 10 minutes. Additional soaks can be brief (1 minute or so) and still be effective for soothing the area and removing matter.

Cleaning Instructions For Body Piercings

WASH your hands thoroughly prior to cleaning or touching your piercing for any reason.
SALINE soak for five to ten minutes once or more per day. Invert a cup of warm saline solution over the area to form a vacuum. For certain piercings it may be easier to apply using clean gauze or paper towels saturated with saline solution. A brief rinse afterward will remove any residue.
SOAP no more than once or twice a day. While showering, lather up a pearl size drop of the soap to clean the jewelry and the piercing. Leave the cleanser on the piercing no more than thirty seconds.
RINSE thoroughly to remove all traces of the soap from the piercing. It is not necessary to rotate the jewelry through the piercing.
DRY by gently patting with clean, disposable paper products. Cloth towels can harbor bacteria and snag on jewelry, causing injury.

What is normal?

Initially: some bleeding, localized swelling, tenderness, or bruising. During healing: some discoloration, itching, secretion of a whitish-yellow fluid (not pus) that will form some crust on the jewelry. The tissue may tighten around the jewelry as it heals.

Once healed: the jewelry may not move freely in the piercing; do not force it. If you fail to include cleaning your piercing as part of your daily hygiene routine, normal but smelly bodily secretions may accumulate.

A piercing may seem healed before the healing process is complete. This is because tissue heals from the outside in, and although it feels fine, the interior remains fragile. Be patient, and keep cleaning throughout the entire healing period.
Even healed piercings can shrink or close in minutes after having been there for years! This varies from person to person; if you like your piercing, keep jewelry in—do not leave it empty.

What to Do

Wash your hands prior to touching the piercing; leave it alone except when cleaning. During healing, it is not necessary to rotate your jewelry.
Stay healthy; the healthier your lifestyle, the easier it will be for your piercing to heal. Get enough sleep and eat a nutritious diet. Exercise during healing is fine; listen to your body.
Make sure your bedding is washed and changed regularly. Wear clean, comfortable, breathable clothing that protects your piercing while you are sleeping.
Showers tend to be safer than taking baths, as bathtubs can harbor bacteria. If you bathe in a tub, clean it well before each use and rinse off your piercing when you get out.

What to Avoid

Avoid cleaning with Betadine®, Hibiciens®, alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, Dial® or other harsh soaps, as these can damage cells. Also avoid ointments as they prevent necessary air circulation.

Avoid Bactine®, pierced ear care solutions and other products containing Benzalkonium Chloride (BZK). These can be irritating and are not intended for long term wound care.

Avoid over-cleaning. This can delay your healing and irritate your piercing.

Avoid undue trauma such as friction from clothing, excessive motion of the area, playing with the jewelry, and vigorous cleaning. These activities can cause the formation of unsightly and uncomfortable scar tissue, migration, prolonged healing, and other complications.

Avoid all oral contact, rough play, and contact with others’ bodily fluids on or near your piercing during healing.

Avoid stress and recreational drug use, including excessive caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol.

Avoid submerging the piercing in un-hygenic bodies of water such as lakes, pools, hot tubs, etc. Or, protect your piercing using a waterproof wound-sealant bandage (such as 3M™ Nexcare™ Clean Seals). These are available at most drugstores.

Avoid all beauty and personal care products on or around the piercing including cosmetics, lotions, and sprays, etc Don’t hang charms or any object from your jewelry until the piercing is fully healed.

Hints and Tips

JEWELRY:

Unless there is a problem with the size, style, or material of the initial jewelry, leave it in the place for the entire healing period.

See a qualified piercer to perform any jewelry change that becomes necessary during healing.

Contact your piercer if your jewelry must be removed (such as for a medical procedure). There are non-metallic jewelry alternatives available.
Leave jewelry in at all times. Even old or well-healed piercing can shrink or close in minutes even after having been there for years. If removed, re-insertion can be difficult or impossible.
With clean hands or paper product, be sure to regularly check threaded ends on your jewelry for tightness. (“Righty-tighty, lefty-loosey.”)
Carry a clean spare ball in case of loss or breakage.
Should you decide you no longer want the piercing, simply remove the jewelry (or have a professional piercer remove it) and continue cleaning the piercing until the hole closes. In most cases only a small mark will remain.
In the event an infection is suspected, quality jewelry or an inert alternative should be left in place to allow for drainage or the infection. If the jewelry is removed, the surface cells can close up, which can seal the infection inside the piercing channel and result in an abscess.
Do not remove jewelry unless instructed to by a medical professional.

For Particular Areas

NAVEL (BELLY-BUTTON)

A hard, vented eye patch (sold at pharmacies) can be applied under tight clothing (such as nylon stockings) or secured using a length of Ace® bandage around the body (to avoid irritation from adhesive). This can protect the area from restrictive clothing, excess irritation, and impact during physical activities such as contact sports.

EAR/EAR CARTILAGE AND FACIAL

Use the t-shirt trick: Dress your pillow in a large, clean t-shirt and turn it nightly; one clean t-shirt provides four clean surfaces for sleeping. • Maintain cleanliness of telephones, headphones, eyeglasses, helmets, hats, and anything that contacts the pierced area

Use caution when styling your hair and advise your stylist of a new or healing piercing.

NIPPLES

The support of a tight cotton shirt or sports bra may provide protection and feel comfortable, especially for sleeping.

GENITAL

Genital Piercings—especially Prince Alberts, Ampallangs, and Apadravyas—can bleed freely for the first few days. Be prepared.

Urinate after using soap to clean any piercing that is near the urethra

Wash your hands before touching on (or near) a healing piercing.

In most cases you can engage in sexual activity as soon as you feel ready, but maintaining hygiene and avoiding trauma are vital; all sexual activities should be gentle during the healing period.

Use barriers such as condoms, dental dams, and waterproof bandages, etc. to avoid contact with your partners’ body fluids, even in monogamous relationships.

Use clean, disposable barriers on sex toys. Use a new container of water-based lubricant; do not use saliva.

After sex, an additional saline soak or clean water rinse is suggested

Disclaimer

These guidelines are based on a combination of vast professional experience, common sense, research and extensive clinical practice. This is not to be considered a substitute for medical advice from a doctor. If you suspect an infection, seek medical attention.

Be aware that many doctors have not received specific training regarding piercing. Your local piercer may be able to refer you to a piercing-friendly medical professional.