Healing Your Piercing

Piercing Aftercare

  • Don’t touch your new piercing unless you’re cleaning it.

  • No picking, twisting, turning, or playing with it - this can slow healing or cause problems.

  • Infection only happens when germs are introduced, so proper care is your responsibility. Your piercing is a puncture would and needs special care. Healing takes months, even with perfect aftercare.

  • If you don’t follow aftercare, the piercing can become infected or your body may reject it (like a splinter)

Cleaning Instructions

  • Clean your piercing twice a day, every day with warm soapy water during the initial healing period.

  • Over cleaning can irritate the piercing and slow healing.

What is the crusty stuff?

  • The yellowish crust is dried fluid and dead skin from healing.

  • It’s normal and helps protect the piercing at first.

  • Once it dries on the jewelry it should be gently cleaned away.

In The Shower

  • Let warm water run over the piercing to soften and rinse away the crusties.

  • Wash your piercing last during your shower.

  • Gently lather the soap and clean with fingers.

  • It’s okay if the jewelry moves slightly - do not twist or turn it on purpose.

  • Rinse well and gently pat dry with a clean towel.

  • Q-tips or a hair dryer (cool/low) can help dry hard-to-reach areas.

In The Bath

  • Baths are okay if the tub in very clean.

  • Add a handful of sea salt to clean, hot water and relax.

  • Rinse and dry thoroughly afterward.

Q-Tip Checks

  • Check your piercing 2+ times daily between cleanings.

  • If crusty matter is present, gently remove them with a Q-tip dipped in fresh saline solution

  • To make a saline solution, dissolve a pinch (1/8tsp) of sea salt into ½ cup distilled or pre-boiled water. Make fresh every 2-3 days.Use a glass jar not plastic.

    *a stronger solution can burn the tender tissue around a new piercing.

  • Always rinse and dry after.

Whats Normal

  • Bleeding, bruising, redness, dryness, and swelling are common with new piercings and don’t always mean there’s a problem. If you’re worried, contact the studio

Things To Do

  • Keep your starter jewelry in for the entire healing period (unless a professional tells you otherwise).

  • After cleaning check that all jewelry ends are screwed on securely.

  • Leave jewelry in at all times. Even healed piercings can shrink quickly. If jewelry must be removed (medical reasons), contact your piercer - a retainer can be used temporarily.

  • Keep bedding clean. Change pillowcases often, especially for ear piercings.

Helpful Tips

  • Wear clean, loose, breathable clothing around the piercing.

  • Get enough sleep, eat well, and manage stress - healing depends on it.

This To Avoid

  • Do not use rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide - they damage healing skin.

  • Don’t use ointment or antibiotic creams. They block airflow and can trap bacteria.

  • Avoid Band-Aids; they limit airflow and can irritate skin. Waterproof Band-Aids are okay only for swimming.

For in-depth info, click the link below. This will bring you to the Association of professional piercers page :)

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