Aftercare for
Body Piercings
Aftercare for
Body Piercings
Getting a new piercing is just the start of your journey.
What to clean your new piercing with
A mild, fragrance-free liquid soap, preferably antimicrobial or germicidal. Dial for sensitive skin is recommended.
Use one or both of the following products on your new healing piercing: Packaged sterile saline solution made for wound care (read the label) or a non-iodized sea salt mixture you make yourself. You can dissolve 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon of non-iodized sea salt into one cup (8oz.) of warm distilled or bottled water. A stronger solution can irritate your piercing, so be mindful and don't put in too much salt.
how to clean your new piercing
Wash your hands thoroughly before you clean or touch your new piercing for any reason. Gently wash your piercing with an anti-microbial soap, preferably non-scented and then use a sea salt or saline soak at least twice per day. For some piercings, it will be easier to use a clean gauze, q-tips or paper towels. Rinse the area after your sea salt soak because dried salt crystals could hurt you and harm your piercing. While showering, you may lather up a dime sized drop of the soap to clean the jewelry and the piercing. Leave the soap on the piercing no more than thirty seconds. Rinse to remove all of the soap from the piercing. Let the area air dry or use a clean, disposable paper product as cloth towels can snag on the jewelry and may have unknown bacteria on them. Please, do not rotate your jewelry through the piercing. It can cause trauma and irritation to the healing skin around the wound. Be attentive of the new pierced area and do your best not to touch or irritate the area unless cleaning.
What is normal
At first, some bleeding, bruising, swelling, redness and soreness or mild pain may occur. During healing, some discoloration, itching, possible oozing of plasma and formed crust from this may appear on the jewelry. Your skin may tighten around the jewelry as your body adapts to the foreign metal and heals. After healing, the jewelry may not move easily in the piercing. Please, do not force it to. If you don’t clean your piercing as a part of your daily showering, normal secretions may build up. A piercing may seem just fine before the entire healing process is complete due to the area healing form the outside in. Even if it feels fine, the new skin is weak, so please be patient and keep cleaning until the end of your healing period.
Average Healing Duration
4-8 Weeks | EAR, EYEBROW, SURFACE PIERCINGS
6-12 Months | CARTLIAGE, NOSE, NAVEL, NIPPLE PIERCINGS
What to avoid
Avoid cleaning with Betadine, Hibiclens, rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide or strong soaps, because these can damage the healing site. Also, please, do not use ointments because they don’t let your new piercing get the air circulation if needs and may contain ingredients that are not safe for long-term use. Ointments, especially used in excess, can also cause a build up of moisture, added secretion of plasma and trap germs and bacteria inside the wound. Avoid Bactine and other products containing Benzalkonium Chloride (BZK). This can be irritating and should not be used for long-term care. Avoid cleaning too much as it can potentially irritate your new piercing and make the healing process longer. Avoid irritation such as friction from clothing, too much motion of the area, playing with the jewelry and rough cleaning. Doing so can make ugly, uncomfortable scar tissue to form, known as keloid scarring. It may also cause other issues like migration of your new piercing. If a keloid scar does develop, we recommend using tea-tree oil to assist with the healing of the excess scarring. Unhealthy nutrition, stress, recreational drug use, too much caffeine, nicotine and alcohol will delay the healing process. Avoid any bodies of water except a shower during the healing process. Lakes, pools, oceans, hot tubs, rivers, ponds, baths and even saunas contain bacteria that can infect your new piercing., Please, do not submerge any piercing in open water for a minimum of six weeks. Avoid any make-up, facial products, hair dye or hair products on or around the piercing. It is not recommended to wear any helmets, earbuds, headphones, headgear or participate in sporting activities as they can put pressure on the new piercing or cause them to get snagged or bumped. Unless there is a problem with the size or material of your initial jewelry, please do not change the jewelry during the healing period. This may cause the piercing to heal slower or close altogether.
If you do not like your new piercing, simply take it out and it will heal.
Body Piercing tips
If you have had a piercing for years, it can still shrink or close in minutes if you take out your jewelry. This is different from person to person, but if you like your body piercing, keep the jewelry in and don't leave the hole empty. Stay healthy as the healthier your lifestyle, the easier it will be for your piercing to heal. Get enough sleep and eat a nutritious diet. Light exercise during healing is fine, but please listen to your body. Make sure your sheets and towels are washed and changed regularly. Wear clean, comfortable, breathable clothing that protects your piercing while you are sleeping and do your best to avoid sleeping on a new piercing. Keep everything incredibly clean that comes near or in contact with the pierced area; telephones,, eyeglasses,, hats, etc. Damp hair should be dried immediately as the excess moisture can promote bacterial growth. Be cautious when styling or towel drying your hair, using loofahs and any cloth towels.
If you think you have an infection, please contact your healthcare professional and your artist immediately.
Each body is different and your healing times will vary. You know your body best, however, it may take longer or it may be shorter than anticipated.
If you have any concerns or questions, please, always feel free to contact us at any time! We will always do our best to assist or offer professional guidance.
Thank you all so much!