Recommended Aftercare for Piercings

Oral Piercing & Dermal Anchor (Single Point Piercing) Aftercare listed below

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Body & Ear Piercing Aftercare Instructions

Cleaning: 

1. Always wash your hands thoroughly before cleaning or touching your piercing for any reason!

2. Use your Sterile Saline Spray 2 to 4 times per day. For certain piercings it may be easier to apply using clean gauze or cotton swap saturated with saline.

3. You may use a mild or non-fragrance liquid soap no more than once a day. Lather up a pearl size drop of the soap to clean the jewelry and the piercing. Rinse thoroughly to remove all traces of the soap from the piercing. NEVER use Anti-Bacterial soaps on or near a new piercing!

4. Never rotate or move the jewelry, it will irritate the piercing and slow down the healing!

5. Air dry or dry by gently patting with new clean, disposable paper products. Cloth towels can harbor bacteria and snag on jewelry, causing injury, irritation and/or possible rejection.

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What To Expect During Healing:

• Initially: some bleeding, localized swelling, tenderness, or bruising is possible over the first few days to weeks.

• During healing: some discoloration, itching, secretion of a whitish-yellow fluid may form “crust” on the jewelry this is normal, never pick at dry secretions. Moisten a cotton swab with saline mixture to remove any crust and debris!

• The tissue may tighten around the jewelry as it heals. 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 bodily secretions may accumulate.

• A piercing may seem healed before the healing process is complete. This is because tissue heals from the outside in, and although it feels fine, the interior remains fragile. Be patient, and keep cleaning throughout the entire healing period.

• Even a completely healed or older piercings can shrink or close in minutes! This varies from person to person; if you like your piercing, keep jewelry in or you may not be able to get it back in.

• Rejection can happen even with a well-cared for piercing, always contact your piercing artist if anything looks unusual!

• In the event an infection is suspected, please contact your piercing artist as quality jewelry should be left in place to allow for drainage. Should the jewelry be removed, the surface cells can close up sealing any possible infection inside the piercing channel. Until an infection is diagnosed and cleared up, keep the jewelry in, unless otherwise advised by a health care professional!

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What To Avoid:

• Avoid cleaning with harsh cleaners and soaps such as Betadine®, Hibiciens®, Bactine®, Ear Care Solution, Rubbing Alcohol, Hydrogen Peroxide, Dial®, as these can damage cells and slow down healing.

• Avoid ointments and creams as they prevent necessary air circulation and can trap dirt and germs.

• Avoid over-cleaning, this can delay your healing and irritate your piercing.

• Avoid trauma such as rough play, friction from clothing, excessive motion of the area, playing with or moving the jewelry, and vigorous cleaning. These activities can cause the formation of scar tissue, migration, rejection, or postpone healing.

• Avoid all oral contact, and contact with other peoples body fluids on or near your piercing during healing.

• Avoid submerging the piercing in un-hygienic bodies of water such as lakes, pools, hot tubs, etc. Or, protect your piercing using a waterproof wound-sealant bandage.

• Avoid all beauty and personal care products on or around the piercing, including cosmetics, lotions, etc.

• Don’t hang charms or any object from your jewelry until the piercing is fully healed.

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Helpful Tips:

• Staying well hydrated, eating well and avoiding alcohol while healing can reduce heal times.

• Wear clean, comfortable, breathable clothing to protect your piercing while you are active or sleeping.

• Make sure your bedding is washed and changed regularly.

• Showers tend to be safer than taking baths, as bathtubs can harbor bacteria.

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Please note: the suggestions made by your Piercing Artist are not to be construed as/or substituted for advice from a medical professional.

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Every body is unique and healing times can vary considerably. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your piercing artist. Your Artist will go over approximate heal times with you at the time of service.

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Please see our Quality Promise at the bottom of this page.

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Oral Piercing Aftercare Instructions
ALWAYS WASH YOUR HANDS THOROUGHLY BEFORE CLEANING OR TOUCHING YOUR PIERCING.

INSIDE THE MOUTH.
   1.    Rinse mouth with ANTIBACTERIAL ALCOHOL-FREE MOUTH RINSE, like LISTERINE-ZERO or BIOTENE for 30 Seconds after Eating, Drinking or Smoking.
   2.    Rinse with Your NON-IODIZED SEA SALT SALINE MIXTURE 2 To 4 x/day

 

OUTSIDE THE MOUTH (LIP, MONROE Etc.) *Disregard This Section for Tongue Piercings           
   1.    Use a Sterile Saline 2 To 4 times per day. For certain piercings it may be easier to apply using clean gauze or cotton swab saturated with saline . 
   2.    A Mild, Low or Non Fragranced Liquid Soap No More Than Once A Day. Lather up a pearl size drop of the soap to clean the jewelry and the piercing. Rinse thoroughly to remove all traces of the soap from the piercing. 
   3.    Do Not Rotate Or Move The Jewelry, It Will Irritate The Piercing And Slow Down The Healing!
   4.    Dry by Gently Patting with Clean, Disposable Paper Products. Cloth towels can harbor bacteria and snag on jewelry, causing injury, irritation and/or possible rejection.

 

WHAT TO DO
To Help Reduce Swelling: Allow small pieces of ICE to dissolve in your mouth.

 

If you have no allergies to any medications an over the counter, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory such as ibuprofen may reduce swelling.

 

During healing Maintain Good Oral Hygiene, floss daily, and gently brush your teeth, tongue and jewelry. Once healed, brush the jewelry more thoroughly to avoid plaque buildup.
           

Once the swelling has subsided, it is vital to replace the original, longer jewelry with shorter jewelry to avoid intra-oral damage. Consult your piercer for their down size policy. Because this necessary jewelry change often occurs during healing, it should be done by a qualified piercer only!

 

WHAT TO EXPECT DURING HEALING                      

Initially some bleeding, localized swelling, tenderness, or bruising can be expected over the first few days to weeks.

 

During healing: some discoloration, itching, secretion of a whitish-yellow fluid may form “crust” on the jewelry this is normal, never pick at dry secretions. Moisten a cotton swab with saline to remove any crust and debris! 

 

The tissue may tighten around the jewelry as it heals. 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 bodily secretions may accumulate.

A piercing may seem healed before the healing process is complete. This is because tissue heals from the outside in, and although it feels fine, the interior remains fragile. Be patient, and keep cleaning throughout the entire healing period.
         

Even a completely healed or older piercings can shrink or close in minutes! This varies from person to person; if you like your piercing, keep jewelry in or you may not be able to get it back in!
Rejection can happen even with a well-cared for piercing, always contact your piercing artist if anything looks unusual!

 

My New Piercing will take approximately 

6 - 8 WEEKS to heal.

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I should come back to change to shorter jewelry in 

2 - 3 WEEKS. 

*as long as the swelling has subsided.

ORAL PIERCING HINTS AND TIPS
EATING:                                                                           

• Slowly eat small bites of food.

• Avoid eating spicy, salty, acidic, or hot temperature foods or beverages for a few days.

• Cold foods and beverages are soothing and help reduce swelling.

• Foods like mashed potatoes and oatmeal are hard to eat because they stick to your mouth and jewelry.

• For tongue piercing, try to keep your tongue level in your mouth as you eat because the jewelry can get between your teeth when your tongue turns.

• For LABRET, LIP, MONROE, PHILTRUM Etc. Be cautious about opening your mouth too wide as this can result in the jewelry catching on your teeth.

WHAT TO AVOID:

• Avoid Cleaning with Harsh Cleaners and Soaps such as Betadine®, Hibiciens®, Bactine®, Ear Care Solution®, Rubbing Alcohol, Hydrogen Peroxide, or Dial Soap®, as these can slow down healing.

• Avoid ointments and creams as they prevent necessary air circulation and can trap dirt and germs. 

• Avoid over-cleaning, this can delay your healing and irritate your piercing.

• Avoid trauma such as rough play, friction from clothing, excessive motion of the area, playing with or moving the jewelry, and vigorous cleaning. These activities can cause the formation of scar tissue, migration, rejection, or post pone healing.

• Avoid all oral contact, and contact with other peoples body fluids on or near your piercing during healing. Including french (wet) kissing or oral sex during healing (even with a long-term partner).

• Avoid submerging the piercing in un-hygienic bodies of water such as lakes, ponds, hot tubs, etc. Or, protect your piercing using a waterproof wound-sealant bandage. 

• Avoid all beauty and personal care products on or around the piercing, including cosmetics, lotions, etc.

• Avoid chewing on foreign objects such as tobacco, gum, fingernails, pencils, sunglasses that could harbor bacteria. 

• Avoid aspirin, alcohol, and large amounts of caffeine as long as you are experiencing bleeding or swelling

 

JEWELRY:                                                                              

• With clean hands or paper product, be sure to Regularly Check Threaded Ends on Your Jewelry for Tightness (“Righty-Tightly, Lefty-Loosey.”)

• Carry a clean spare ball in case of loss or breakage.

• Contact your piercer for a non-metallic jewelry alternative if your metal jewelry must be temporarily removes (such as for a medical procedure).

• 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 scar will remain.

• In the event an infection is suspected, Please Contact Your Piercing Artist as quality jewelry should be left in place to allow for drainage. Should the jewelry be removed, the surface cells can close up sealing any possible infection inside the piercing channel, resulting in an abscess. Until an infection is diagnosed and cleared up, Keep The Jewelry In, Unless Otherwise Advised By A Health Care Professional!

​

The suggestions made by your Piercing Artist are not to be construed as/or substituted for advice from a medical professional.

​

Each body is unique and healing times can vary considerably. If you have any concerns, please contact your Piercing Artist.

​

Please see our Quality Promise at the bottom of this page.

​

Dermal Anchor (Single Point Piercings) Suggested Aftercare

CLEANING:

1. Always wash your hands thoroughly before cleaning or touching your piercing for any reason.

2. Use your non-iodized sea salt saline mixture 2 to 4 times per day. Soak for 5 minutes, invert a cup of warm 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 mixture. Rinse to remove residue.

3. You may use a mild, low or non-fragrance liquid soap no more than once a day. Lather up a pearl size drop of the soap to clean the jewelry and the piercing. Rinse thoroughly to remove all traces of the soap from the piercing.

4. Do not try to rotate or move the jewelry, it will dislodge the jewelry, slow down the healing and/or possibly cause rejection!

5. Dry by gently patting with clean, disposable paper products. Cloth towels can harbor bacteria and snag on jewelry, causing injury, irritation and/or possible rejection.

6. Each night before bed place a bandage directly over the bead, pressing it firmly down into place. Do this for the next 2 weeks. Also do this if you are in any situation that the bead could easily get caught and pulled. This will help the jewelry to anchor under the skin, it will also help prevent any accidental pulls and help to release any built up fluids under the jewelry.

 

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What to expect during healing:

• Initially: some bleeding, localized swelling, tenderness, or bruising can be expected over the first few days to weeks.

• During healing: some discoloration, itching, secretion of a whitish-yellow fluid may form “crust” on jewelry this is normal, never pick at dry secretions. Moisten a cotton swab with saline mixture to remove any crust and debris.

• A piercing may seem healed before the healing process is complete. This is because tissue heals from the outside in, and although it feels fine, the interior remains fragile. Be patient, and keep cleaning throughout the entire healing period.

• Rejection can happen even with a well-cared for piercing, if you notice your anchor leaning in any unusual direction come down and see your body piercing artist as soon as possible.

• In the event an infection is suspected, please contact your piercing artist as quality jewelry should be left in place to allow for drainage. Should the jewelry be removed, the surface cells can close up sealing any possible infection inside the piercing channel. Until an infection is diagnosed and cleared up, keep the jewelry in, unless otherwise advised by a health care professional!

 

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What to avoid:

• Do not tug, pull, twist, pick at or in any way play with your anchor! You could dislodge the anchor and cause it to reject!

• Do not try to change the bead yourself! Without the proper tools and training you could “lose the jewelry” inside your body! Your body piercing artist can change the bead for you in about 1-2 months.

• Do not wear tight or constrictive clothing over your anchor!

• Anchors are not easily removable! Anchors have to be removed by your body piercing artist, it may be necessary to pierce the skin to remove the anchor.

• Avoid over-cleaning or cleaning with harsh cleaners and antibacterial soaps such as betadine®, hibiciens®, bactine®, dial®, ear care solution®, rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide as these can damage cells and slow down healing.

• Avoid ointments and creams as they prevent necessary air circulation and can trap dirt and germs.

• Avoid trauma such as rough play, friction from clothing, excessive motion of the area, playing with or moving the jewelry, and vigorous cleaning. These activities can cause the formation of scar tissue, migration, rejection, or post pone healing.

• Avoid all oral contact, and contact with other peoples body fluids on or near your piercing during healing.

• Avoid submerging the piercing in un-hygienic bodies of water such as lakes, pools, hot tubs, etc. Or, protect your piercing using a waterproof wound-sealant bandage. Showers tend to be safer baths, as bathtubs can harbor bacteria.

• Avoid all beauty and personal care products on or around the piercing, including cosmetics, lotions, etc.

• Do not hang charms or any object from your jewelry until the piercing is fully healed.

 

Helpful tips

• Wear clean, comfortable, breathable clothing to protect your piercing while you are active or sleeping.

• Make sure your bedding is washed and changed regularly.

• Showers tend to be safer than taking baths, as bathtubs can harbor bacteria.

 

The suggestions made by your piercing artist are not to be construed as/or substituted for advice from a medical professional.

 

My new piercing will take approximately 2 – 4 months to heal.

 

Each body is unique and healing times can vary considerably. If you have any concerns, please contact your piercing artist.

​

Please see our Quality Promise at the bottom of this page.

 

 Our Quality Promise

We are always happy to work with our clients to try and make sure that they leave happy with not only their new piercing but also with their piercing experience. Please note that this quality promise is for clients who do their best to follow our recommendations. If the original jewelry has been changed, removed or tampered with before consulting your piercing artist or if abuse or neglect to the piercing is evident this promise is null and void.

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