How do I care for my fresh piercing?
Here’s all the info you need!
What should I expect?
At first swelling, bleeding, tenderness and a little bruising are normal. During healing you will notice itching, whitish/light green discharge, crust/scabbing, swelling, and tenderness.
Cleaning
Wash your hands before cleaning or touching your fresh piercing! DO NOT spin/twist your jewelry or remove it for cleaning.
- Spray a sterile saline solution directly on the piercing site 2-3 times per day, front and back. This will clear debris from the area. You may also use a non-woven gauze to wipe debris away if it is stuck. It is important to remove any crusties/debris daily.
- Rinse well with warm water at the end of a shower to wash out any soap.
- Dry well after rinsing or spraying. This can be done with a clean paper towel or a hair dryer on a low setting. Do not leave the piercing site wet or leave wet hair on/around the piercing site.
- Cold compresses may be used to help with swelling. Use cold water on a paper towel and apply to the piercing site until no longer cold. Do not use ice on your piercing.
- Warm compresses can help with irritation.
What NOT to do
- Do not use anything but sterile saline solution on your piercing site.
This means absolutely no:
Alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, BZK, ointments(including neosporin), soap, or teatree oil.
Do not attempt to mix your own solution. This can go wrong in many ways and is not sterile.
- Do not touch your piercing. Do not spin it, twist it, or remove it while it is healing.
- No bathtubs, swimming pools, hot tubs, lakes, etc. These bodies of water contain a lot of bacteria and submerging a healing piercing may cause infection. Water-proof bandages may be worn over nipple and navel piercings to swim.
- Avoid the piercing site with any body products, including makeup.
- DO NOT SLEEP ON YOUR PIERCING. If you sleep on a healing piercing it will migrate to become crooked, resulting in irritation and most likely a need to repierce. You can buy a travel pillow if needed to keep pressure off the piercing site.
- Do not change your jewelry before your piercing is fully healed. Healing times will vary depending on piercing site and between person to person. Your piercing may feel fully healed before it is. If you have questions about healing time, please reach out to me!
Downsizing
In most cases initial jewelry will be long to accommodate for swelling. When the swelling subsides your jewelry will be longer than necessary and inappropriate for long term wear. It is important to visit your piercer to downsize to a properly fitted piece after swelling has gone down. This will prevent unnecessary trauma to the piercing site and will be much more comfortable to wear.
Not downsizing in an appropriate timeframe may lead to irritation, bumps, and migration.
Specifics for oral piercings
- If you use mouthwash switch to an alcohol free brand such as Biotene. If you do not already use mouthwash, no need to start.
- Oral hygiene is extremely important. Brush and floss twice a day. Use a gentle, non-whitening toothpaste. If your jewelry builds up plaque you can brush it away with a wet toothbrush.
- Drink water! Cold water will help with swelling as well as keep you hydrated so healing is easier.
- Swish with cold water after eating, drinking, or smoking. This will help clear the piercing sire of any food build up and prevent irritation.
- Do not play with/bite your jewelry.
Specifics for genital piercings
Expect bleeding for the first few days. These areas have a lot of blood flow and it is not uncommon for a fresh piercing to bleed freely.
Feel free to engage in sexual activity whenever you feel comfortable, but use barriers! Condoms and dental dams are important to avoid contact with your partner’s body fluids. Listen to your body and avoid any rough play or unnecessary trauma to the piercing site.
If using lube, a fresh water-based lubricant is suggested.
After any sexual contact rinse with saline or clean warm water.
TIPS:
- Check your jewelry for tightness every once in a while so they do not become loose/unscrew and get lost.
- If a medical procedure is required we carry glass retainers to keep your piercings open and can install them for you with an appointment.
- If you suspect an infection please visit a doctor. Jewelry should be left in place as to not trap the infection. It’s a good idea to come in for a consultation beforehand as a lot of the time it’s simply a fixable irritation.
- If you no longer want your piercing feel free to remove it or schedule an appointment to have it removed.
- If you do not feel comfortable changing your jewelry on your own, we can help! We only insert high quality jewelry from reputable body jewelry companies. We will not insert jewelry from the mall or online. This includes jewelry stores that do not specialize in body jewelry.