Piercing Aftercare

What to Clean With:

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. Saline Solution should be made new every time.

How to Clean Your New Piercing:

• Handle your piercing with CLEAN hands!
• Using the Saline Solution, twice a day, soak the piercing for 3-5 minutes using a clean gauze or paper towel that is saturated with the SS. For certain piercings you may soak it by inverting a cup of the warm  Saline Solution over the area (suggested for Navels and Surface Anchors). Rinse gently after soaking with warm water.
• Dry gently with a disposable paper towel. Cloth towels can harbor bacteria and snag on jewelry.

What to Expect:

• You may have a slight bit of bleeding after, redness, and possibly some swelling.
• During healing you may have a slight discoloration of the area hear the piercing. Itching and secretion of a yellowish or whitish fluid (not pus) that can form a crust on the jewelry may occur. The tissue may become tight around the jewelry as it continues to heal.
• After the healing period, the jewelry may move freely in the piercing. Do not play with or force it to move. Keep in mind, even after a piercing is healed, it should become part of your normal daily hygiene routine to clean it. Not cleaning it can result in normal, but smelly secretions from the body.
• Although a piercing may seem healed, keep in mind the healing process takes time to complete. Tissue heals from the outside in, and even though it feels fine, the interior of the piercing is still sensitive and fragile. Patience is key, just as keeping it clean is.
• Even healed piercings can downsize or close within MINUTES no matter how long you’ve had the piercing. This will vary from person to person.

What to Avoid:

• Any other cleaning solutions (Bactine®, Betadine®, Hibiciens®), ointments, alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, Dial® or harsh soaps should be avoided.
• Do not over-clean! This can lead to a longer healing time and irritate the piercing.
• Try your best to avoid undue trauma to the piercing; things such as friction from clothing, excessive movement of the area, playing with the piercing, and vigorous cleaning. By avoiding these things the chances of complications will be lessened.
• For oral piercings: Avoid “French” kissing, oral sex, smoking, drug use, alcohol, and spicy foods.
• Avoid submerging the piercing in bodies of water such as lakes, streams, pools, ect. Protect the piercing using a waterproof bandages such as 3M™ Nexcare™ or Tegaderm™.
• Avoid all beauty and personal care products on or around the piercing including cosmetics, lotions, and sprays, etc.
• And most of all… DO NOT TRY TO REPLACE THE JEWELRY YOURSELF!!!