Piercing Aftercare
This page dedicated to giving you all the juicy details about your upcoming appointment with us. We understand that when it comes to appointments, the more information you have, the better. That's why we've created this page to ensure that you have all the information you need to feel confident and prepared.
We will take you through what you need to know before your appointment, including any necessary preparations and what to bring with you. We know that being prepared beforehand can help alleviate any anxiety or stress you may have about your appointment.
During your appointment, we want you to feel at ease and know what to expect. We will go through the check-in process, what happens during the appointment, and what you can expect afterwards. We'll also cover any questions you may have about the appointment itself.
- Always wash hands before touching or cleaning piercing.
- Try not to touch your phone to your ear
- Clean front and back. of piercing with saline solution and cotton swab 2-3x a day
- Wash piercing with a mild soap 1x a day
- Do not sleep on piercing for at least 3 weeks
- Do not rotate or twist jewelry
- Wait at least 8 weeks before changing jewelry
For best results and healing, please follow aftercare instructions
Aftercare instructions
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.
Initially: You may experience some bleeding, localized swelling, tenderness, and/or bruising.
During Healing: You may experience some discoloration, itching, secretion of a whitish-yellow fluid (not pus) that will form some crust on the jewelry. The tissue may tighten around the jewelry as it heals.
Once Healed: 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 but smelly bodily secretions may accumulate.
Even a healed piercing can shrink or close in minutes after having been there for years. This varies from person to person; if you like your piercing, keep jewelry in - do not leave it empty
What is Normal?
- Wash your hands prior to touching the piercing; leave it alone except when cleaning. During healing, it is not necessary to rotate your jewelry.
- You can exercise during healing but listen to your body
- Make sure your bedding is washed and changed regularly. Wear clean, comfortable, breathable clothing that protects your piercing while you are sleeping.
- Showers tend to be safer than taking baths, as bathtubs can harbor bacteria. If you bathe in a tub, clean it well before each use and rinse off your piercing when you get out.
What to do
- Cleaning with alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, antibacterial soaps, iodine, or any harsh products, as these can damage cells. Also avoid ointments as they prevent necessary air circulation.
- Avoid Bactine, pierced ear care solutions, and other products containing Benzalkonium Cholride (BZK). These can be irritating and are not intended for long term wound care.
- Avoid over cleaning. This can delay your healing and irritate your piercing. Avoid undue trauma sucha s friction from clothing, excessive motion of the area, playing with the jewelry, and vigorous cleaning. These activites can cause the formation of unsightly and uncomforable scar tissue, migration, prolonged healing, and other complications.
- Avoid all oral contact, rough play, and contact with others' bodily fluids on or near your piercing during healing
- Avoid stress and recreational drug use, including excessive caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol.
- Avoid submerging kthe piercing in unhygienic bodies of water such as lakes, pools, hot tubs, etc. Or, protect your piercing using a waterproof wound sealant bandage. these are available at most drugstores.
- Avoid all beauty and personal care products on or around the piercing including cosmetics, lotions, and sprays, etc.
- Don't hang charms or any object from your jewelry until the piercing is fully healed. Sleeping directly on a healing cartilage piercing can cause irritation, even causing shifts in the piercing's angle. Placing a travel pillow, on top of your pillow, and then placing your ear in the opening can be helpful to avoid this.
What to avoid
Jewelry
- Unless there is a problem with the size, style, or material of the initial jewelry, leave it in the piercing for the entire healing period or come visit us to perform any jewelry change that becomes necessary during healing.
- Leave jewelry in at all times. Even healed piercings that you have had for years can shrink or close in minutes. If removed, reinsertion can be difficult or impossible
- With clean hands or paper products, be sure to regularly check ends on your jewelry for tightness.
- 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 mark should remain.
- In the event an infection is suspected, quality jewelry or an insert alternative may be left in place to allow for drainage of the infection, if approved by your physician. On rare occasions, when the jewelry is removed, the surface cells close up, which can seal the infection inside the piercing channel and result in an abscess. Until an infection is cleared up, discuss with your physician if you should leave in jewelry or an appropriate substitute.
Ear/Ear Cartilage and Nostril
- Use the t-shirt trick: Dress your pillow in a large, clean t-shirt and turn it nightly; one clean t-shirt provides four clean surfaces for sleeping.
- Maintain cleanliness of telephones, headphones, eyeglasses, helmets, hats, and anything that contacts the pierced area.
- Use caution when styling your hair and advise your stylist of a new or healing piercing.
Hints and Tips
Don't hesitate to message us with any concerns. We are here to help you in any way possible. We want you to have the best experience possible.
