Piercing Aftercare Instructions
Tenants of Healing
I: GENERAL HEALTH
Your immune system and wound healing capabilities operate at peak capacity with a healthy, hydrated, rested body.
Your body will do the work of healing for you but you can help it along by reducing trauma and regularly cleaning your piercing.
II: REDUCING TRAUMA
This could be bacterial, physical or chemical. Avoid touching or contaminating your new piercing with hair/hygiene products, unlaundered clothing or bedding, harsh first aid products, others bodily fluids, headphones, telephones etc. Don’t sleep on or catch your piercing on woven textiles like towels.
III: CLEANING
Following the gentle cleaning instructions during the initial and intermediate healing periods is important. Piercing crusties (dried discharge) are a thing! After the first few months there is no set time frame of how long you should clean your piercing but if it crusty it needs cleaning :)
General Cleaning Routine
Clean your piercing(s) 1-2 times per day for 1-3 mo, and then as needed for the life of your piercing.
I: HOT WATER RINSE
At the end of shower allow hot water to run over your piercing for 2-3 minutes (front & back) to soften and remove dried discharge accumulated on your piercing.
II: STERILE SALINE
Irrigate with saline solution after your rinse and as needed throughout the day. Spraying the solution directly on the front and back of your piercing flushes softened discharge. You may also saturate gauze with saline and gently wipe.
III: DRYING
Since the aftercare routine is a wet one drying is essential.
Patting with sterile gauze is best.
Never go to bed with wet hair on your piercing.
Oral Piercing Care
I: MOUTHWASH
Space out ~3-5 rinses/day with dilute alcohol free mouthwash (1/2 water, 1/2 mouthwash). Foucus rinses after eating, drinking or smoking. Use plain bottled water inbetween (overcleaing can irritate your piercing).
II: OVERSIZED JEWELRY
Starter jewelry is longer to accomodate initial swelling. Once swelling goes down the extra length is more harmful than helpful and should be down-sized to avoid catching/biting,
III: EATING
Chew carefully and slowly eating mild soft foods. Avoid salty, spicy or acidic foods and liquids for the first 1-2 weeks.
Be Cautious with forks
(the slots like to catch).
IV: ORAL HYGIENE
Treat yourself to a new soft-bristled toothbrush :) Maintain normal flossing and brushing schedule just take it slow and gentle at first. Once healed brush your jewelry just like your teeth to avoid plaque build-up.
Tips n’ Tricks
DO:
CONTROL SWELLING
Drinking cold water and elevating your piercing will reduce inflammation. The sooner the swelling goes down, the sooner your piercing will heal.
REGULARLY WASH
Bedding and anything your piercing comes into direct contact with.
Like your piercing?
LEAVE THE JEWELRY IN
Piercings can close up or shrink fast.
CHECK THREADED ENDS
For tightness (lefty-loosey righty-tighty)
DON’T
TWIST/TURN/ROTATE
Moving your jewelry can introduce bacteria and build scar tissue.
SOAK/SWIM
Showers are cool but refrain from submerging your new piercing in bath/ pool/lake/ocean water for 1-3 months.
USE OINTMENTS
Chemicals or cosmestics.
These clog pores & can damage/inhibit healing. No “ear care” solutions, alcohol, peroxide, neosporine or bactine.
These are way harsh and not intended for use on a puncture wound, which is what your new piercing is.
Infection: Signs and Symptoms
If you suspect you have an infection,
(Fever, thick dark foul smelling discharge, redness beyond piercing site, heat, abnormal/increasing pain)
DO NOT REMOVE THE JEWELRY!
It should be left in to allow the piercing to drain until you can see your physician. We are not medical professionals and can not diagnose you with an infection, only your doctor can do this.
Listen to your Body
If something doesn’t feel/seem right, it’s probably not right.
We are here for you through the entire healing process so if you have concerns or questions please reach out.