Piercing Aftercare

Piercing Aftercare Cleaning Solutions

Use one of the following solutions for healing piercings:

• Packaged sterile saline solution with no additives (read the label)

• A non-iodized sea salt mixture: Dissolve 1/4 teaspoon of non-iodized (iodine-free) sea salt into one cup (8oz.) of warm distilled water. A stronger mixture is not better; a saline solution that is too strong can irritate the piercing.

How to clean

• A mild, fragrance-free liquid soap— preferably anti-microbial or germicidal 

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 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 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.

• 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 held from the

outside in, and although it feels fine, the interior remains fragile. Be patient, and keep cleaning throughout the entire healing period.

• Even heeled 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 or encouraged to rotate your jewelry.

• For small children make sure they are not touching their piercing and that their hands are clean at all times in case they do touch them. We encourage children to notify their parents if they piercing is itchy or hurting them. 

• 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 piercings at the end of your bath or shower.

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 unhygienic 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).

• Avoid sleeping directly on your new piercing.

• Do not hang charms or any objects 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. If the length is bothering you please contact us as we do use longer jewelry to allow for swelling, but can shorten if the swelling is down. 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 piercings 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 jewelry 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.

• Ibuprofen may be used to reduce swelling and discomfort, follow instructions on bottle. For Particular Areas

Oral:

• Using a salt water solution, rinse after eating or smoking throughout your healing process.

• Ice or ice water can help with swelling. Avoid sucking on the ice.

• Avoid spicy and crunchy foods for the first few days as this might irritate your piercing.

Navel:

• 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

piercing are.

• 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 haling 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, deal 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.

Each body is unique and healing times vary considerably. If yo have any questions, please contact your piercer.

*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.

For the first hour after your gem or charm is placed do not eat or drink anything but water. Do not chew gum.

for the first 12 hours do not touch or play with it with your tongue or fingers. Do not brush your teeth. Only eat soft foods. Do not chew gem. 

Tips:

• Soft bristled tooth brush's are best.

•  Whiting your teeth make cause your gem to fall off sooner than you want. 

•  It is the same adhesive as dentist use for braces so everyone's gems and charms will last different lengths of time.

It is very unlikely that your gem or charm will come of within the first month however, all our gems have a guarantee of 1 month. Please notify us if your gem falls off and we will replace it for free. Charms that fall off before the first month can be reapplied if all adhesive is off the surface of your tooth and the charm. If the charm is lost it can be repurchased at a discounted rate.