CLEANING SOLUTIONS
⦁ Packaged sterile saline is a gentle choice for piercing aftercare. Mixing our own sea salt solution is no longer a suggested practice. We strongly encourage you to use a sterile saline. Mixing your own sea salt solution will commonly result in the product being far too salty and strong, this can over dry the piercing and interfere with healing.
CLEANING INSTRUCTIONS FOR BODY PIERCINGS
⦁ WASH your hands thoroughly prior to cleaning or touching your piercing for any reason.
⦁ SALINE rinse as needed (1-3 times a day) during healing. Using clean gauze or a Q-Tip saturated with saline solution. A brief rinse with plain water afterward will remove any residue.
⦁ DRY by gently patting with clean, disposable paper products because cloth towels can harbor bacteria and snag on jewelry, causing injury.
WHAT IS NORMAL?
⦁ Initially: Some bleeding, localized swelling, tenderness, or bruising.
⦁ During healing: 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.
⦁ A piercing may seem healed before the healing process is complete. This is because they heal from the outside in, and although it feels fine, the tissue remains fragile on the inside. Be patient, and keep cleaning throughout the entire healing period.
⦁ Typical heal time depends on each person's body. It usually takes roughly one month to six months to heal most piercings. A good indicator that you're all healed is that you can move the jewelry freely without any pain.
⦁ Even healing piercings 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 the hole empty.
WHAT TO DO
⦁ Wash your hands prior to touching the piercing; leave alone except when cleaning.
⦁ 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 baths can harbor bacteria.
WHAT TO AVOID
⦁ Avoid cleaning with alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, antibacterial soaps, iodine, or any harsh products, as there can damage cells. Also avoid ointments as they prevent necessary air circulation.
⦁ Avoid over-cleaning. This can delay your healing and irritate your piercing.
⦁ Avoid undue trauma such as friction from clothing, excessive motion of the area, playing with the jewelry, and vigorous cleaning. These activities can cause the formation of unsightly and uncomfortable 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 submerging the piercing in unhygienic bodies of water such as lakes, pools, hot tubs, etc.
⦁ 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 ear 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.
If you have any questions please contact your piercer.