Piercing Aftercare Instructions
In order to take the best care of your new piercing(s) we ask that you take the following instructions with you to aid you in the healing period.
The following instructions apply to all piercings in the ears, on the face, in the nose, or on the surface of the body, excluding the navel and certain genital piercings.
You will need: One package of non-iodized sea salt (available at most any store), a standard coffee mug, hot water, liquid antibacterial soap, Q-tips, and paper towels.
1. Fill coffee mug almost to the top with water that is as hot as you can possibly stand. Add 1/4 of a teaspoon of the non-iodized sea salt to the water and stir to make your own saline solution.
2. Grab a fresh clean paper towel and drop it down in the mug to let the solution saturate the towel. Squeeze the excess liquid out of the paper towel and apply it directly to your new piercing, making sure you get as much contact between the moist towel and the piercing as possible. Apply light pressure for 10 minutes and then remove and allow the area to air dry. Dump the mug out as you will need to make a fresh solution everytime you soak your piercing.
3. You will need to follow this procedure 2 times a day for the next 2 months, making sure to soak at least 10 minutes everytime.
4. Two times a week, and only 2 times a week, you will need to wash the pierced area. First you will do one of the soaks in the afore mentioned directions, as it will soften any blood and lymph matter (the little crusty things that will begin forming at the piercing). This is a sign of a fresh healthy piercing and it in no way means it is infected. It is exactly the same as a scab on a cut, and should never be picked. The soaking will soften the lymph and allow you to easily clean the jewelry and the pierced area, removing the lymph as you go. Move the jewelry back and forth through the piercing to clean the inside, and rinse thoroughly. Do not wash the piercing more than 2 times a week. If you do, it is just as bad as not washing the piercing at all. (The antibacterial agents in the liquid soap are so strong, they actually kill the fresh new skin cells we are trying to produce.)
5. Just as with anything else, wash your hands thoroughly before you do anything regarding the care of your piercing. Remember that touching with dirty hands is the easiest way to get an infection.
Navel Piercings, Nipples and Genitals
1. First you will prepare the same saline solution mentioned in the previous instructions. In the case of the navel and nipple(s), hold the coffee mug in front of the pierced area and bend down till the mug encircles the freshly pierced area. Push gently from the bottom of the mug so that the lip of it forms a vacuum seal to your body. Allow the area(s) to soak for 10 minutes. There will be no need for the paper towel in these instances.
2. This process will be followed out 2 times a day, 10 minutes each time, for at least the next 2 months. More soaking can be added if any soreness persists.
3. Two times a week, and only 2 times a week, you will need to wash the pierced area. First you will do one of the soaks in the afore mentioned directions, as it will soften any blood and lymph matter (the little crusty things that will begin forming at the piercing). These are a sign of a fresh healthy piercing and it in no way means it is infected. It is exactly the same as a scab on a cut, and should never be picked. the soaking will soften the lymph and allow you to easily clean the jewelry and the pierced area, removing the lymph as you go. Move the jewelry back and forth through the piercing to clean the inside and rinse thoroughly. Do not wash the piercing more than 2 times a week. If you do, it is just as bad as not washing the piercing at all. (The antibacterial agents in the liquid sap are so strong, they can actually kill the fresh new skin cells we are trying to produce.)
4. With genital piercings, bear in mind that the process is the same in theory, the piercing, whatever it may be, must be soaked 2 times a day 10 minutes each time for at least the next 2 months.
Oral Piercings
1. As soon as you leave the shop, you should get some ice. Sucking on or holding ice in your mouth will help prevent swelling in the oral tissue. You may also take motrin or ibuprophen as they are anti-inflamatory medicines. (Follow the directions on the bottle and make sure that there are no medical reasons with any prescriptions you may already be taking.)
2. You will want to get a bottle water and whichever antiseptic mouthwash you prefer. Remove half of the water from the bottled water and replace it with the antiseptic mouthwash. You will want to rinse everytime after you eat, drink, or smoke, holding the solution in your mouth for about 30 seconds before spitting. You may rinse as many times as you would like, remember the cleaner it is, the better is is for your piercing and you.
3. For the first week you will want to eat foods that are relatively soft and served at room temperature. Bear in mind that heat brings swelling, and swelling brings pain and we are trying at all costs to avoid the pain caused by inflamation.
4. You are advised to brush and floss as normal, again the cleaner you keep your mouth, the better is is for you and your piercing.
5. The jewelry you received with your piercing is called started jewelry and is slightly oversized to compensate for any possible swelling that may occur. In 3 weeks time you may switch out to a standard size piece of jewelry.
Tips and Suggestions
With All Piercings
Do no go swimming in any pools, lakes, or rivers. The only soaking your piercing should be doing sbould be in the saline solution. With most any piercing you will want to be mindful of contact with hard surfaces, and how your clothes rub against your new piercings, as friction and rubbing will irritate the area.
Do your best to not touch your new piercings with dirty hands, this is most often the cause of an infection.
Navel
Do not attempt to change out the jewelry before it is healed, you could end up losing the piercing entirely and harming yourself in the process. A healthy piercing is better than a pretty piercing.
Ears, Nose, and Facial Piercings
Be mindful that many soaps and body washes have alcohol that may seep into and aggrevate your piercing, make sure you thoroughly rinse them from your piercing when you wash. Hairbrushes can sometimes snag on ear piercings, so be careful. With any fresh piercing, remember that towels are often times terry cloth, that is composed of many small loops that are all about the right size to snag your jewelry, so be careful.
Oral Piercings
No mouth kissing or oral sex for at least 3 weeks, due to the fact that there is an open wound in your mouth and this is the easiest way for viruses and bacteria to be passed on, which may lead to serious problems such as STDs.
Genital Piercings
Consult with you piercer for details.
