The aftercare that you give your piercing will determine how quickly and how well it heals. The following information will provide general guidelines for the care of your new piercing. If you have questions or concerns, please feel free to give call, or stop by to speak with a piercer.

General Aftercare Antibacterial, Antiseptic Soap:

1. Dial (Antibacterial), Soft Soap (Antibacterial)  - AVOID fragrances, colors and moisturizers
2. Wash hands with soap and water
3. Lather the jewelry and surrounding area, making sure to remove any discharge surrounding the jewelry
4. Once the jewelry is clean, soap up the piercing itself and work the lather through the piercing 
5. Rinse well, and move the jewelry through the piercing when rinsing

Salt Water Soaks (highly recommended):

Warm salt water soaks can work wonders for healing your piercing. The salt water helps draw out discharge, flush wastes, and prevent infection. H2Ocean or NeilMed (products we carry in store) is a sterile, saltwater solution spray. This can be sprayed directly on the piercing and can be used as often as once every 3 to 4 hours. Non-iodized Sea Salt (available at health food stores) can also be used. Make sure that the type of sea salt you're using is Non-Iodized. Some clients may experience a reaction to the iodine in regular table salt. To use sea salt, make a mixture in a small cup with warm water and a small pinch of the salt. More is not always better. Excessive salt can lead to irritation. Tip the cup against the piercing creating a seal. Soak the piercing for a few minutes and RINSE THOROUGHLY. Sea Salt residue can lead to irritation is not rinsed clean. For facial or hard to reach piercing's, a piece of gauze can be soaked in the saltwater mixture then applied to the piercing, but, don’t forget to rinse!

Oral Piercing's:

1. Rinse with an Alcohol-Free mount wash such as Rembrandt or Biotene. These are usually available in the oral medication section of a pharmacy or drugstore.
*Rinse with the mouthwash for 30 seconds after meals. Do Not use more than 4 to 5 times daily.
2. Salt water soaks are beneficial for oral piercing's.
3. If possible, AVOID Listerine or other Alcohol-based mouthwashes which can irritate and delay healing.
4. Ice/cold temperature can help reduce swelling.
5. Be prepared for mild to moderate swelling. Most of the swelling lasts 3 - 5 days.
6. Keep dirty hands out of your mouth.
7. Purchase a new toothbrush to avoid any unwanted bacteria from being introduced into your mouth.
8. An over-the-counter, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory such as ibuprofen may be used to reduce swelling if your doctor approves.

Irritation:

DO NOT REMOVE YOUR JEWELRY! Infections are easier to treat if an opening exists for antiseptics to enter and discharge to exit. You do not want to trap infection inside or lose your piercing unnecessarily. Of course, in the event of serious infection, please consult your doctor.
Most of the time what you perceive as “infected” is irritation. If your piercing is red, swollen at the piercing point, excreting a small amount of fluid or appears to have a solid lump or bubble around it, it is probably irritated. This is a sign of excessive abuse.

Common causes of irritation are:
1. Clothing
2. Sleeping position
3. Getting pulled or hit
4. Holding phone against it (ears, cartilage)

If your piercing is irritated, try to eliminate the cause. Warm salt water soaks can ease irritation. Keep in mind that many cases of irritation and allergic reaction are often mistaken for infection. If you follow the aftercare that we provide you, it will greatly reduce your risk of infection.

What to avoid:

Don’t- touch or rotate the jewelry at any time other than when cleaning!
Don’t- use Alcohol, Betadine, Peroxide, or Hibiclens as they are overly strong and drying which can hinder healing.
Don’t- apply any ointments such as Neosporin to your piercing. These prevent oxygen from reaching the wound and form a sticky residue which can cause complications.
Don’t- over clean. Piercing's should be cleaned with antibacterial soap no more than two or three times daily, and the Sea Salt soaks should not be used more than three to four times daily.
Don’t- use too many different products. Stick with those that work for you.
Don’t- use band aids, they limit circulation and adhesive can irritate the area.

Avoid pools, lakes, jacuzzi’s, even the ocean. Most bodies of water contain large amounts of bacteria. If you are going to be in unquestionable water, we suggest a non-water wound sealant (Bandage) such as Tegaderm.

Avoid unprotected sex with genital piercing's until fully healed. Body fluids and friction can cause irritation. In men’s genital piercing's, large size condoms will provide extra room for jewelry.

What is Normal:
Some tenderness or discomfort around a new piercing is not unusual. Bleeding, bruising, discoloration and swelling are not uncommon either.

Secretion of a fluid which contains blood plasma, lymph and dead cells is normal. It is usually whitish to yellowish in color and forms a crust on the jewelry at the opening of the piercing.

Piercing Aftercare