Piercing Aftercare

Step 1: Clean your piercing twice daily; in the morning and at night. Your body does most of it's healing while you sleep, so soothing the piercing before and after you sleep will help to heal it quickly. If you feel it looks as though it also needs to be cleaned during the day, an additional cleaning is fine.

Step 2: Always wash your hands before you touch the piercing or the area around it.

Step 3: Clean off all dry matter from the jewelry before moving it. The dried matter you find on the jewelry is a collection of white blood cells that draw bacteria out of fresh piercings. When this dries, it is sharp and will scratch, re-open and hurt your piercing if turned inside. Remove the dry matter by dousing the piercing with clean, warm water and wiping it off. Once the ring is clean of dry matter, you are ready to wash the piercing.

Step 4: There are many different ways to care for your new piercing. The following suggestions are what we have found to be the most effective. We will supply you with a bottle of betadine, although bactine is equally effective. Lather the betadine into your piercing, gently rotate the jewelry back and forth approximately seven to ten times. Take care that the solution is worked thoroughly into the piercing. This is best achieved while in the shower, as you have a steady flow of clean, warm water. Rotate the jewelry back and forth fifteen to twenty times. It is very important to make sure all traces of the betadine have been removed, as any residue will be an irritant to your piercing. Bactine is an equally effective cleanser that can be purchased at any good pharmacy. Follow the same steps as above.

Step 5: An antibacterial soap must be used during your healing period. Brands that we recommend are; Dial, Phisoderm and Hibataine (diluted 1:4 with water). If your skin is sensitive, Allenbury, Nutrogena and Pears are acceptable mild soaps. The soaps we find works the best are the ones containing Tea Tree Oil. This can be purchased at most health food stores.

Later the soap of your choice into the piercing with a Q-tip, clean cloth or clean hands (making sure all dried matter has been removed). As in STEP 4, gently rotate the jewelry back and forth seven to ten times, taking care that the piercing is washed thoroughly. Rinse the piercing and rotate the jewelry back and forth ten to twenty times making sure all residue is removed from the area. To dry, pat down area with a clean towel and allow to air dry.

Step 6: (FOR NIPPLE AND NAVEL PIERCING ONLY) Only for the first week of cleaning, apply a small amount of antibiotic ointment. The best choice is Bactroban, which is available at most pharmacies. A second choice is Baciguent, which shouldn't be used if you are allergic to penicillin or sulpha. Tea Tree Oil is a natural alternative. No matter which product you use, only a very small amount is needed. Apply it to the jewelry next to the hole and turn it back and forth through the piercing. Be sure to wipe off any excess ointment from the surface of your skin as it can suffocate your piercing.

Products to Avoid

Tongue Piercing

• Rinse your mouth with Listerine seven to ten times daily. Please only use Listerine as other mouthwashes are NOT bacterial germicides and therefore will not be capable of effectively cleaning your piercing. Occasional warm, saltwater rinses are also recommended.
• Avoid hard foods for the first week of healing. You will probably find it more comfortable to eat soft foods, such as; pasta, rice, mashed potatoes and soups. It is also very helpful to drink fruit juices as they will help to keep your blood sugar at a reasonable level.
• The most effective method of reducing swelling is cold applications. This means ice. Sucking on ice cubes during the first three to five days of healing will greatly reduce swelling.
• Other frozen products that help are popsicles, Freezies, Slurpees or ice cubes made with tea. Tea is full of vitamins and therefore a very effective way of reducing the swelling.
• Remember to tighten your barbell once or twice daily. Although the barbell should not loosen, it is a possibility and taking this step will prevent this from happening. Be sure to wash your hands before and rinse your mouth after.
• We will downsize your barbell to a more comfortable size once the swelling is completely gone. (2-3 weeks)
• Be patient.

See STEPS 1-5 under Daily Cleaning.

• Spices, citrus, excessive sugar and food that is tough to chew.
• There should be no oral contact of any kind for the first four weeks following the piercing.

See STEPS 1-5 under Daily Cleaning, making sure to first wash your hands and remove any dried matter from the jewelry with warm water. Be sure to keep make-up and hair products away from your piercing.

See STEPS 1-5 under Daily Cleaning. No sexual contact for the first three weeks. Use a condom or dental dam for the following three weeks, and clean your piercing thoroughly afterwards.

Infections are always possible, but that does not mean the end of your piercing. Bacteria can be introduced into the piercing by excessive handling, dirt and sweat. Always clean a piercing that looks dirty or you know shouldn't have been touched. Do not let dead cells from your skin build up. Be conscious of any abuse your piercing may have received (bumps or bangs). Some signs of infection to watch for are:

• Redness or soreness that does not dissipate within a few days.
• A change in consistency or color of discharge from your piercing.
• Heat. If the area surrounding your piercing is quite warm compared to a neutral spot on your body.
• Excessive swelling around the entrance of your piercing.

If any of these signs are noticed, or for any questions, contact us. We can usually determine the problem or make a check-up appointment. The next thing is to relax. Getting upset will only make it worse. Your immune system will focus on the stress you're feeling and not the healing of your piercing. A long hot Epsom salt bath will help relieve the stress as well as draw out any infections you may have.

Also remember that any of the above symptoms does not necessarily mean there is a problem with your piercing. The healing process varies from one person to another, sometimes drastically. So again, please just call with any concerns you may have.

Many people have allergies and we take that into consideration on all aspects of our piercings. Some individuals may have an allergic reaction to the metal. There is a very small amount of nickel found in surgical stainless steel and this can at times cause problems. Some signs of an allergic reaction are:

• If the area around the piercing appears constantly moist. (looks like it's sweating)
• The appearance of red or white dots around the piercing.
• Appears as if the skin around the entrance of the piercing is puling away from the metal.
• Prolonged soreness or severe itchiness.

Another reaction can occur from cleaning solutions. In any case, please contact us so we can isolate and deal with the problem.

A multi-vitamin can help your immune system incredibly. A brand of vitamins we have found to be effective is Centrum-Forte, which can be found in any good pharmacy. This brand has twenty-nine essential vitamins and minerals in it; including increased iron and zinc.

Soaking in a hot Epsom salt bath is a good thing to do for any type of irritation during the healing process. The salt in the water will basically suffocate any bacteria on the piercing. Remember to rinse off afterwards.

• DO NOT TOUCH WITH DIRTY HANDS. (yours or someone else's)
• Avoid rough play during the healing period.
• Keep any binding clothing away from the piercing.
• Never turn the jewelry with dried matter on it - always wash the area first
• Do not cover or bandage the piercing in any way. Just wear clean, loose clothing.
• Do not remove the jewelry at any point of your healing without first consulting your piercer.
• Eat right
• Do not forget to clean it. (#1 reason for infection)

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