Piercing aftercare
What You Need to Know
Things to know and to keep in mind for all your piercings.
A piercing is like any other wound.
It will start its healing process as soon as the jewelry is installed.
KEEP!! your hands off. This is the #1 source of most problems... do not touch your piercing unless you have to, and before you do wash your hand properly.
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Make sure to change pillow cases and sheets after you get a piercing.
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eat well and have a good night's sleep
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I can't make this more clear, if you have problems doubts about your piercing please contact your piercer or go talk to a reputable shop and piercer. Don't google or make your own assumption
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AVOID moving, turning, twisting your
jewelry.
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Clear and yellow fluid will build a small a scab around your piercing this is normal and is not an infection nor pus build up, this is very normal for all piercings, think of it as a seal to keep other germs and bacteria out. If you remove it completely your body will work harder and redo it all over again.
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​Keep your piercing dry, if it gets wet from a shower or washing your face make sure to dry with a sterile gauze or a CLEAN q-tip to avoid moisture problems. Avoid soap, make up, tap water.
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Piercing aftercare.
(as always This is a general guideline so always follow your piercers recommendations.)
1. The body will heal by
sealing the new opening and defending itself
with white blood cells and your natural healing
factors. New skin can grow very quickly when a
piercing gets protection from irritation and infection.
The body heals quickest when protected and
left alone, usually in 30-90 days. The better your
nutrition and care during this time, the quicker
your piercing will heal.
2. Protect your piercing from biological and chemical
contamination. Don't use any antibacterial or antibiotic
products, peroxide, or alcohol on your piercing. Twisting
and turning your jewelry have not proven useful in
healing piercings and are not required. It is irritating
like picking a scab. Check the jewelry regularly and keep
the ends tight at their connections. Wash your hands t
horoughly and then use medical gloves, sterile gauze, paper
towel or folded tissue to grip without direct contact. If you
are wearing an occlusive bandage such as TEGADERM for
your nipple or navel piercing ensure that the seal is watertight
and replace the dressing when the edges start to peel up.
3.Your piercing should look good and feel healthy every day.
You should never feel extremes of pain, swelling, redness,
heat, discolored discharge, or weeping from any piercing.
These are signs of a problem.
Healing stages
stage 1.
This occurs in the first few weeks
Dry, small scab forms around the jewelry; skin begins to grow.
Keep the piercing isolated, dry, and clean. Don't touch, move or r
otate the jewelry. Avoid pressure from tight clothing, or sleeping
on your piercing, etc., which can cut off the circulation and
slow healing. Don't contaminate your piercing with dirty hands,
soap, tap water, make up, or skin care products, etc. While bathing
or swimming, keep the piercing dry. Keep your back to the shower
and cover it up with a plastic cup, or wear a waterproof seal such as
TEGADERM (latex free). Prior to applying any bandage over the piercing,
clean off the area surrounding the piercing using a gauze pad and
distilled water (take care to avoid the jewelry and the wound).
AVOID GETTING THE PIERCING WET OR DIRTY FOR FASTER, EASIER
HEALING. AVOID SEXUAL AND ORAL CONTACT WITH UNHEALED PIERCINGS.
Use barriers such as condoms, gloves, and dental dams even with a
monogamous partner. Healthy nutrition and avoiding alcohol, smoking,
and drugs will benefit your piercings. GET YOUR VITAMINS AND MINERALS!
If it gets wet, rinse with distilled water and blot dry with sterile gauze or
tissue. Make sure it gets completely dry again. If it gets dirty wash it with a
mild liquid soap (such as castile, olive oil or glycerin without dye, fragrance,
moisturizer, deodorant, or antibacterial ingredients), then rinse and blot dry
as described above.
Stage2
Usually occurs after the first week Healthy people
will notice the inside sheds dried scab and cellular
waist material; the growing of new skin is delicate.
Continue to protect it until skin is sturdy and has
completely healed and no more of the waste material
is secreted on the jewelry. Jewelry should not be moved
or changed at home until solid healthy skin has sealed
the area. We can do it for your safety.
Stage3
Usually occurs within 30-90 days
For a healthy individual, by now a tunnel of skin should be
sturdy and sealed. Keep cleansers, shampoo, and soaps out
of the opening and off the jewelry. Rinse well if you do get
anything on or in the piercings. Blot dry with sterile gauze or
tissue after bathing to prevent irritation from moisture retained
inside. Rinse and dry after bathing when healed. When the skin
has become sturdy, you can carefully ease back in to you
regular activities. Changing jewelry on your own should be easy
when the piercing is healed. We have many options waiting for
you: shapes, colors and gems! Should you take out your jewelry
for an extended period of time, reinsertion could become
difficult. The longer the jewelry is left out, the tighter and more
difficult reinsertion can be. The elastic nature of skin can make
a healed piercing shrink, but not sealed shut. We can usually
put the jewelry back in for you pretty easily with a guide taper,
as soon as possible after you remove it.
oral piercing care
Use a new toothbrush and bottled water to
brush teeth and tongue each day after eating or drinking during
healing. Keep it cold. Wash out food particles and residues with bottled
water after meals and snacks. This will help avoid bad breath and
infection. Don't use toothpaste, mouthwash, peroxides or other oral
care products during healing. Such products do not aid in the healing
and may irritate the piercing. Use bottled water and mechanical toothbrush
instead. Drink plenty of cold liquids (ice water, fruit juice, and electrolyte drinks).
Continue until the area has relaxed back to normal. Ice should be
soothing if applied consistently for the first few days until any
swelling is completely gone.
AVOID ORAL CONTACT WITH ANYTHING IRRITATING, KISSING OR ORAL SEX
WITHOUT PROTECTIVE BARRIER, SMOKING, ALCOHOL, SPICY, SALTY, SUGARY,
OR HIGHLY ACIDIC FOOD AND DRINK, ETC. UNTIL HEALED.
Within two weeks have your piercer change the jewelry to a shorter post to prevent
potential damage to teeth and gums. A closer fit will reduce wear and increase
comfort.