Piercing Aftercare

Hooray! You just received a new piercing.

…Now what?

What you can expect from a new piercing:

  • Tenderness, redness, & swelling

  • Minor bleeding

  • Clear, white, or yellow fluid secreting from the wound

Take care of yourself.

We all heal differently, and at different speeds, and it has a lot to do with our immune systems. Cleansers do not heal your piercing, your body does, so taking care of yourself can make the healing process a little easier. Eat well, sleep well, stay hydrated, reduce stress, and boost your immune system with vitamin C and zinc.

Cleanse gently, daily

Always wash your hands before cleaning your new piercing. Use saline wound wash to rinse the area. A cotton swab or gauze pad may be used to gently rid skin debris or “crusties”, though it is important to keep movement to a minimum. Twisting and turning the jewelry while cleaning is not necessary or recommended. An additional swab or pad may be used to pat the area until dry.

A non-alcoholic, non-whitening mouthwash should be used to cleanse oral piercings. Practice proper oral hygiene, such as daily brushing and flossing. This is also a good time to acquire a new toothbrush. Do not be afraid to brush around your jewelry to pick up food debris and plaque—just be gentle. Refrain from smoking, the consumption of alcohol, recreational drug use, “wet” kissing, and oral sex during the initial healing period of an oral piercing.

Do’s

& Don’ts

DON’T…

  • Sleep on your new piercing

  • Play with the jewelry

  • Use harsh products or irritants, such as rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, Bactine, and Neosporin

  • Soak in bodies of water, such as oceans, pools, or hot tubs

  • Apply cosmetics, dyes, or sprays on or around your piercing. If you wouldn’t stick it into your eye, don’t stick it into your piercing!

DO…

  • Sleep with a neck pillow to stay off new piercings

  • Disinfect personal items that may touch your piercing (eyeglasses, cellphone, etc.)

  • Leave your piercing alone, any and every time you are not cleaning it

  • Downsize jewelry when instructed to by your piercer

  • Keep up with aftercare throughout the entire healing period

Patience

is key

Piercings heal from the outside-in, meaning they will look and feel healed before they actually are. Because everyone heals differently, the timeline given by your piercer may not be exact, but most piercings are healed after 6 months, though some may take up to a year to fully heal.


It is important that you do not remove your jewelry to clean your healing piercing. The only thing keeping your piercing open is the jewelry; so if you like it, please keep it in! Even old, fully healed piercings can close in a very short period of time if the jewelry is removed.

Trouble-shooting

Migration is when a piercing shifts from its original position. A little migration for some piercings is okay and we anticipate it. However, migration is often the first phase of rejection.

Rejection is when the body “spits” jewelry out. The jewelry will have completely moved out of the skin, often times leaving behind a scar. It is possible for any piercing to reject. If you suspect your piercing is in the process of rejecting, please contact us so we can assist you.

Signs of rejection include:

  • Rash or itching

  • Widening at the opening of the piercing

  • “Thinning” or “translucent” skin, where the jewelry can be seen through the skin

If you suspect an infection, please see your piercer or your physician before removing your jewelry. The piercing provides an escape route for the infection, so removing your jewelry can lead to more serious issues. Any suggestion that is made by your piercer is based on their professional experience. You are encouraged to seek medical guidance and treatment if you believe you should.

Signs of infection include:

  • Extreme pain, often extending past the piercing site

  • Swollen lymph nodes

  • Thick yellow or green discharge

  • Intense redness and heat

Many issues can be solved by changing cleansing agents or switching to more appropriate jewelry. If you are concerned or struggling to heal your piercing, please do not hesitate to contact us.