HEALING TIME:
Earlobe and septum piercings -- approximately 2 months
Ear cartilage, nostril, and eyebrow piercings - approximately 3 to 6 months

Healing can be divided into two stages:
During the first stage your body produces a tunnel of tissue around the piercing and the jewelry.  It is during this stage that the piercing is in fact an open wound and more prone to infection and growing shut.  This information will cover the steps that need to be followed to reduce this.  Due to the fact that everyone heals at different paces, the healing time could be shorter or longer then the minimum healing times listed.  So if the piercing seems healed but you are unsure, stop by the shop and we’ll take a look at it.

The second stage is called the seasoning or toughening period.  During this stage your body adds layer upon layer of tissue to the tunnel to make the piercing permanent.  This stage can take from 1 year to 3 years to complete. Removing the jewelry for long periods of time can result in the loss or closing of the piercing.  A good rule of thumb is if you like the piercing, leave something in it.

NORMAL REACTIONS:
Everyone’s body reacts differently, but common reactions are:

1.) Slight bleeding off and on for the first few days.

2.) Tenderness, itchiness, slight bruising/redness for the first week or two on or around the piercing.

3.) A secretion of a yellowish/whitish fluid that hardens on the ring throughout the healing time.

4.) A tightening around the jewelry throughout the healing time.

BASIC CLEANING:
1.) Wash your hands thoroughly with antibacterial soap before touching your piercing or the jewelry.

2.) Remove the Lymph discharge by spraying water onto the piercing and the jewelry.  Remove any discharge from the jewelry using a cotton swab and warm water before rotating the jewelry; do not use your fingernails.  This is best done under running water in the shower. Lymph discharge is your body’s way of removing waste from the piercing.  The discharge/ crust is hard and sharp and will form around the piercing holes and onto the jewelry. If you notice discomfort when trying to move the jewelry, repeat removal until the jewelry moves freely.  Never force the jewelry to move because this may draw waste back into the piercing or dislodge the piercing tunnel.

3.) Once the jewelry and piercing holes are free of discharge/crust on both sides, gently apply a small amount of liquid antibacterial soap to the piercing area.  Then gently work the soap into a lather on and around the piercing and jewelry.  The antibacterial soap needs to have an active ingredient of Triclosan such as Dial Liquid Antibacterial, Lever 2000 Antibacterial, Soft Soap Antibacterial, or Almay Hypocare Antibacterial.

DO NOT USE A WASHCLOTH OR SPONGE TO CLEAN YOUR PIERCING.
CLOTHS AND SPONGES TRAP AND COLLECT BACTERIA AND MILDEW.

4.) Rotate the jewelry through the piercing 6-10 times to work the antiseptic cleaner into the piercing.  Always handle the jewelry by the bead or ball. Allow the soap to stay in contact with the piercing for 2 to 3 minutes.

5.) Dry the piercing using a tissue or cotton swabs.  Bacteria thrive in warm, moist environments.

6.) If using soap is too difficult because of the location of your piercing,  you may use an antiseptic containing benzalkonium chloride or benzethonium chloride.  Suggested brands are Sensitive Ear, Ear Care or Medi-ear.

7.) The antiseptic should be applied to both entrances while rotating the jewelry through the piercing 6-10 times to work the antiseptic cleaner into the piercing.  Always handle the jewelry by the bead or ball.

8.) Rinsing the piercing under running water is suggested to remove bacteria and antiseptic residue.

SALINE SOLUTION should be used to clean the inside entrance of nostril piercings.

Make sure to clean the piercing at the same time, twice daily until the minimum healing time has expired or the piercing has stopped discharging and the piercing holes appear to have an indented or concave look to them. Whenever in doubt ask your piercer if it is healed or not.

HOW ELSE CAN I HELP MY BODY TO HEAL THE PIERCING?

1.) Being in good health, by eating a well balanced diet, getting plenty of rest and reducing stress.

2.) Taking a Zinc Orate supplement for the first two weeks (60mg for women/120mg for men) and 1000mg supplement of Mineral Ascorbate of Vit. C two to three times daily.  Always take supplements with meals.

3.) Hot soaks or compresses with sea salt and warm water (1/8 teaspoon) of sea salt per cup of warm water, one or two times daily.  Soaks should be done using an inverted cup over the piercing creating a vacuum.  Compress should be done using a clean paper towel.

CROSS CONTAMINATION PREVENTIONS:
While the piercing is going through it’s first stage of healing it is like a portal into the body, so it’s important that the following steps be taken until the first stage of healing is complete:

1.) No oral contact (including your own salvia) or exchanging of bodily fluids in/on or around the piercing.

2.) Handle the jewelry only during cleaning and then only after washing your hands with an antibacterial soap and then only by the bead or ball.  Avoid handling the piercing or jewelry after touching surfaces because it will increase the chance of cross contamination.  You should wash hands then rinse and touch only the piercing.

3.) Make sure that everything (clothing, towels, sheets, pillow cases, hats, etc.) that may come into contact with the piercing are clean.  Also avoid contact with shampoos, cosmetics, hair sprays, etc....

4.) Do not submerge the piercing during the first stage of healing into any body of water ( natural waters, hot tubs, swimming pools etc.) other than your own clean bathtub.

REMOVING JEWELRY:
During the first stage of healing do not remove the jewelry for any reason. After the first stage is complete remove the jewelry only to replace it for upto 2 to 3 years.  You should have a professional change the jewelry.  It can be a little tricky and often forcing the jewelry can tear or dislodge the piercing tunnel.

AVOID ABUSE AND IRRITATION:
A good rule of thumb is, the more you baby it and the less contact with the piercing, the faster it will heal. And the less problems you will have. During the first stage of healing avoid:

1.) Clothing/hats/headbands that are too tight, abrasive irritating and/or may limit oxygen flow to the piercing that are in contact with the piercing.

2.) Sleeping on the piercing or other contact like the phone.

3.) Using harsh cleaning agents like Alcohol, Witch Hazel, Hydrogen Proxcide, Hibiclens, and Betadine.

4.) Using antibacterial and other ointments.  They tend to block the flow of oxygen to the piercing, the natural discharge and/or provide a place for contaminants to breed.

IF YOU HAVE ANY CONCERNS OR QUESTIONS,
PLEASE CALL US AT (301) 392-0416 or
SHOP BY THE SHOP AND LET US CHECK IT OUT.

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