piercing Aftercare
Ensure Your Art Lasts a Lifetime
Proper aftercare is crucial for ensuring your body piercings heal well and look great. Follow these expert guidelines to maintain your new piercing's health and beauty.
Cleaning Solutions:
Use Sterile Saline: Avoid mixing your own sea salt solution, as it can over-dry the piercing. Use a sterile saline wound wash with 0.9% sodium chloride as the only ingredient.
Cleaning Instructions for Body Piercings:
Wash Your Hands: Thoroughly clean your hands before touching your piercing.
Spray with Sterile Saline: Clean the piercing with saline wound wash while it heals. Do not move the jewelry during cleaning.
Dry Carefully: Use clean, disposable products like gauze or cotton swabs to gently remove debris. Avoid cloth towels.
What Is Normal?
Initially: Bleeding, localized swelling, tenderness, or bruising.
During Healing: Discoloration, itching, whitish-yellow fluid secretion forming crusts on the jewelry. Tissue tightening around jewelry.
Once Healed: Jewelry may not move freely. Incorporate regular cleaning into your hygiene routine.
Tips:
Piercings Can Shrink or Close Quickly: Keep jewelry in place at all times to prevent closure.
Leave the Piercing Alone: Only touch when cleaning. Do not twist or rotate jewelry during healing.
Exercise and Hygiene: Protect your piercing from bacteria on gym equipment. Keep bedding clean and wear breathable clothing.
Showers vs. Baths: Showers are safer. If taking a bath, clean the tub thoroughly and rinse the piercing afterward.
What to Avoid:
Harsh Cleaning Products: Avoid alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, antibacterial soaps, iodine, and ointments.
Over-Cleaning: Can delay healing and irritate the piercing.
Trauma: Avoid friction, pressure, excessive movement, playing with jewelry, and vigorous cleaning.
Oral Contact and Bodily Fluids: Avoid during healing.
Submerging in Water: Avoid lakes, pools, oceans, hot tubs. Use waterproof dressings if necessary.
Beauty Products: Avoid cosmetics, lotions, and sprays near the piercing.
Hanging Objects: Do not hang charms or objects until fully healed.
Hints and Tips:
Jewelry Maintenance: Leave initial jewelry in place during healing. Visit a qualified piercer for downsizing or changes.
Keep Jewelry In: Even well-healed piercings can shrink or close quickly. Contact your piercer for non-metallic jewelry alternatives if needed.
Check Tightness: Regularly check threaded and threadless ends on your jewelry.
Removing Piercings: Continue cleaning the area until the hole closes if you decide to remove your piercing. Piercings will leave scars.
Infection: Consult with your physician if an infection is suspected and discuss keeping quality jewelry in place.
For Particular Areas:
Navel: Protect with a hard, vented eye patch or elastic bandages.
Ear/Ear Cartilage and Facial: Clean bedding and pillowcases regularly. Clean phones, headphones, and eyeglasses.
Nipples: Use a tight cotton shirt or sports bra for support and protection.
Genital: Maintain hygiene, avoid trauma, use barriers like condoms, and clean sex toys.
Surface Anchors: Require ongoing maintenance. Avoid makeup and monitor for buildup.
Alternative Aftercare:
Evolving Practices: Consult with your local piercer for specific advice based on your region or climate.
Gentle Soap: If using soap, choose a gentle, fragrance-free option and avoid antibacterial soaps.
Sterile Saline Alternatives: If unavailable, keep the piercing clean with regular showering and consult your piercer for additional suggestions.
By following these aftercare instructions, you can ensure your body piercing heals properly and remains beautiful for years to come.
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Most days, we can accommodate walk-ins based on our appointment schedule. Feel free to give us a call to check on availability before you visit. Remember, we operate on a first-come, first-served basis, so come by early to secure your spot!