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.

Lip piercings usually swell.  Rinse with ice water and apply ice as needed to reduce swelling.  Swelling should begin to recede after three to five days.  If you are wearing a Labret stud the stud is long to allow for swelling; it may be shortened after the piercing has healed.  Check the tightness of threaded Labret jewelry daily.

For tongue piercings -- healing time is normally 4-6 weeks.  During the first 24 to 48 hours the tongue usually swells to almost twice its normal size.  Apply ice and drink ice water to minimize swelling and tenderness.  Your barbell is long to allow for swelling.  Swelling should begin to recede after 3 to 5 days. Over the counter pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medications can help reduce swelling and discomfort.  Do not take aspirin, which thins the blood.

Rinse with an antibacterial mouthwash for 30 seconds after eating, drinking anything other than water, and smoking. Alcohol-free Biotene, Rembrandt, and Tech 2000 brand mouthwashes are suggested. Listerine is not recommended because of its higher alcohol content and frequency of usage. After using the mouthwash rinse with (preferably bottled) water to remove mouthwash residues.

Reduce smoking to a minimum while the piercing is healing. Not smoking is better. Use of chewed tobacco products is highly discouraged if one has oral piercings, new or healed. Avoid consuming very hot or spicy foods and drinks while the piercing is healing. While the tongue is swollen eat soft foods that do not require chewing it digest. Although you may not be eating much, remember to drink plenty of fluids.

Tongue piercings produce a discharge just as any other piercing. This discharge is sticky and whit. Yellow or green discharge indicates an infection.

A white discoloration of the tongue indicates that the mouthwash is being overused. When overused the mouthwash dries out the mucous layer of the tongue, upsets the pH and depletes the healthy and necessary bacteria of the mouth. Depletion of healthy bacteria can result in thrush (Candida albicans), a fungal infection indicated by a white carpet- like layer on the tongue. Medications for treating thrush are only available with a doctor’s prescription. In some cases of mild thrush, the condition of the mouth can be restored if the mouthwash is used less often or diluted with water.

After the swelling has receded, warm salt water rinses may be used to remove discharge and lymph secretions. 1/4 teaspoon sea salt or table salt to 8 ounces of distilled water is suggested.

Check the tightness on tongue barbell balls daily: your barbell is threaded at both ends.

Tongue barbells accumulate plaque. Plaque traps bacteria and can irritate the piercing. Using and anti-plaque rinse will usually prevent plaque accumulation.

To reduce the risks of speech and eating impediments and chipping teeth, consider getting a shorter barbell after the swelling recedes, usually after 2 to 4 weeks. I f you accidentally bite down on the barbell while eating and talking you should shorten the barbell as soon as possible.

You may notice a slight irritation where the bottom of your mouth or lower gums.  rritation is usually eliminated by shortening the barbell.  If the ball continues to rub against the gums after the barbell is shortened a smaller ball should be worn.

Occasionally a tongue piercing will develop white or pink tissue around one or both entrances.  Scarring is usually caused by physical stress or chemical irritation.  Minimize playing with your barbell.  Eliminate sources of chemical irritation such as smoking, coffee, and spicy foods.  Shortening the barbell as the swelling receded will reduce physical stress.  If the scarring is persistent, contact the shop for suggestions.

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.

BASIC CLEANING: OUTSIDE ENTRANCE

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 outside entrance 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 residues.

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.

INSIDE ENTRANCE:
Rinse with an antibacterial mouthwash for 30 seconds after eating or drinking anything other than water.  Alcohol-free Biotene, Rembrandt, and Tech 2000 mouthwashes are suggested.  Listerine is not recommended because of its higher alcohol content and frequency of usage.  After using the mouthwash rinse with (preferably bottled)water to remove mouthwash residues.

Reduce smoking to a minimum while the piercing is healing.  Not smoking is better.  Use of chewed tobacco products is highly discouraged if one has oral piercings, new or healed.  Avoid consuming very hot or spicy foods and drinks while the piercing is healing.

Labret studs accumulate plaque around the disc.  Plaque traps bacteria and can irritate the piercing.  Using an anti-plaque rinse will usually prevent plaque accumulation.

Remember, NO oral contact during the healing process.  This includes wet kissing and oral sex.  The most frequent causes on infection are touching the piercing or the jewelry with unwashed hands or contact with unclean items such as clothing, bedding, and hair.  Do not allow your piercing to come in contact with cosmetics, lotions, perfumes, or hairsprays.

Get a new toothbrush - - an old toothbrush is a heaven for bacteria.  Do not chew on pens or other items or share eating utensils or glasses.

HOW ELSE CAN I HELP MY BODY TO HEAL THE PIERCING:
Being in good health, by eating a well balanced diet, getting plenty of rest and reducing stress.

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.

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