Piercing Care

A body piercing is essentially a wound and needs to be treated with care. Proper aftercare and attention needs to be followed to insure proper and timely healing. 

When the piercing procedure was done, it was done in a sterile environment; using high grade disinfectants, autoclave sterilized utensils, needle(s), and jewelry, in a regulated and licensed studio.

Infection, delayed healing, and prolonged irritation most often occur as a result of poor aftercare.  (This includes poor hygiene and/or exposure of the healing piercing to a dirty environment.)   Adherence of the following instructions will greatly reduce any complications during the healing process.

What to expect during the healing process?

Even with excellent piercing aftercare, some swelling and redness at the site of a piercing for a few days and up to 2-4 weeks. 

The piercing itself and the surrounding tissue WILL be sore for a few days. This is 100% normal.  Some light bleeding may occur for the first few days, especially if the piercing is bumped, pulled or irritated.  Finally, you may notice a slight clear or white discharge from the wound for the first few months.  This is simply drainage of the wound, a normal part of the healing process.   If you donate blood you may resume doing so one month after the procedure is complete.  You will need this sheet to donate blood.

How to spot trouble with your piercing (and what to do about it):

If you notice:

  • Discharge that becomes noticeably thicker and is yellow or green in color.  This is a possible sign of infection and should be checked by a doctor if it lasts longer than 24 hours.

  • Inflammation that lasts longer than 5 days, with redness and irritation.  See our studio or doctor. 

  • Red streaks from the piercing site and a fever, along with body aches.  See your doctor within 24 hours

  • Hives, redness, itching and irritation around the piercing, which may signal an allergic reaction to the piercing jewelry. 
    See studio ASAP:   316LVM Surgical Stainless Steel jewelry has a very low rejection rate (Less than 0.5%)

  • If you experience: Difficulty breathing, wheezing, or a feeling that your mouth or throat is swelling closed
    (this is extremely rare) Call 9-1-1 or go to the nearest emergency room immediately!

Most important: Do not clean or touch the new piercing with dirty hands. 
Always wash your hands with antibacterial soap prior to touching or cleaning your piercing.  This is essential to preventing irritation, infection, and complications.

Supplies You Will Need:  Liquid Hand Soap & NeilCleanse Spray (or sea salt soak)

You can mix your own sea salt soak quickly and easily.   Simply dissolve ¼ tablespoon (1cc) of sea salt (not table salt) into 1 cup of warm water.  Do not mix a stronger sea salt mixture, as it will dry the piercing out. – Replace mix each day if you are making it yourself.

 
Basic Piercing Care Instructions:  2 x 2 Cleaning –
Spaced evenly throughout the day.

·      WASH your hands thoroughly prior to cleaning or touching your piercing for any reason.

·       2 x PER DAY:  SALINE rinse as needed during healing. For certain placements it may be easier to apply using clean gauze or a fresh cotton ball saturated with saline solution. A brief rinse afterward will remove any residue.

·       2 x PER DAY:  SOAP Gently lather around the piercing and rinse as needed. Avoid using harsh soaps, or soaps with dyes, moisture beads, or fragrances.

·       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 because cloth towels can harbor bacteria and snag on jewelry, causing injury.

Piercing Specific Information:

 Navel:

Avoid vigorous exercise and tanning for the first two weeks following the piercing.  Dangly navel jewelry is designed to be worn for a short time only and should be changed to a regular barbell at night, this helps avoid stretching or migration.

Ear / Industrial / Eyebrow:

Avoid using hair products as much as possible during the healing process.  If you use hair products cover the fresh piercing with a cup when applying product until it is dry, this will prevent it from entering the piercing.  Make sure to clean phones, glasses, headphones, or anything that comes in contact with the healing piercing.

Nipple Piercing:

Be careful if wearing a lace bra or using a washcloth / loofah it may become snagged with the jewelry.  

 Nostril / Septum Piercing:

The inside of the nose is a natural ecosystem and is normally self-cleaning.  Cleaning inside the nose isn’t normally needed. Be careful when cleaning using a washcloth or loofah as it may snag the jewelry.  Nose piercings may become snagged in face masks, please be extra careful.

When can I swim? And other important reminders for all body piercings:

  • DO NOT remove jewelry until piercing is fully healed, unless directed to do so by the studio or a doctor.

  • DO NOT use anti-biotic creams, any ointment, rubbing alcohol, or hydrogen peroxide.  This harms the healing process!

  • DO NOT immerse in water until fully healed (Pool, Lake, or Bath) [Shower is OK]

  • Typical Base Heal Time for Most Piercings 10-12 weeks. Some people heal slower then others — this is totally Normal. Sometimes healing can be severely delayed if the piercing is traumatized
    Although healing times are estimated and can vary greatly from person to person.

  • Continue the daily cleaning process for at least 4 weeks.  Do not remove jewelry except to change for the first 8-12 months, body piercings can begin to close very quickly, sometimes in a matter of hours.

  • A little pain, discomfort, and mild bleeding for few days are normal for most people and should not be a cause for alarm or to remove the piercing. 

    If you have any questions or concerns please contact us.