DISCLAIMER:
These guidelines are based on a combination of vast professional experience, common sense, research and extensive clinical practice. This is not to be considered a substitute for medical advice from a doctor. If you suspect an infection, seek medical attention but be aware that many doctors have not received specific training regarding piercing. Your piercer may be able to refer you to a piercing-friendly medical professional. IF YOU NEED MORE INFO PLEASE CLICK THE LINK AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE.

EAR, FACIAL, AND BODY PIERCINGS

WHAT ARE THE DO’S OF PIERCING CARE?

• DO wash your hands prior to touching the piercing; leave it alone except when cleaning. During healing, it is not necessary to rotate your jewelry.

• DO stay hydrated, eat every once in a while and above all, get regular sleep. Your body knows how to heal itself.

• DO make sure your pillowcases and bedding are washed frequently, especially your pillowcase if your fresh piercing will be laying on it. You can also opt to wear clean, comfortable, breathable clothing that protects your piercing while you are sleeping.

• DO opt to take showers over baths when possible. Showers tend to be safer than taking baths, as bathtubs can harbor bacteria. If you bathe in a tub, clean it well before each use and rinse off your piercing when you get out.

WHAT DO I CLEAN MY PIERCING WITH?

• Packaged sterile saline, specifically a wound wash (with no additives, read the label), is a gentle choice for piercing aftercare.

HOW DO I CLEAN MY PIERCING?

•  WASH YOUR HANDS thoroughly prior to cleaning or touching your piercing for any reason.

•  SALINE SOAK for three to five minutes once or more per day. If using a spray saline, spray the solution into a glass (not plastic) and saturate clean q-tips in the solution. This will make application more precise and avoid getting saline in areas it doesn’t need to go.

• Optionally, invert a cup of warm saline solution over the area to form a vacuum. For certain piercings it may be easier to apply using clean q-tips or paper towels saturated with saline solution. It is not necessary to rotate the jewelry through the piercing.

• DRY by gently patting with clean, disposable paper products.

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.

HOW CAN I TELL IF MY PIERCING IS HEALED?

• Once healed: the jewelry may not move freely in the piercing; do not force it.

• If you fail to include cleaning your piercing as part of your daily hygiene routine, normal but smelly bodily secretions may accumulate.

• A piercing may seem healed before the healing process is complete. This is because tissue heals from the outside in, and although it feels fine, the interior remains fragile. Be patient, and keep cleaning throughout the entire healing period.

• Even healed 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 it empty.

• When a piercing is fully healed it will no longer have any red discoloration around the entrance and exit and it should no longer secrete any “crusties” or ooze.

WHAT IF I’M HAVING ISSUES?

• In the event an infection is suspected please come in straight away or head to the ER, our piercers can help you determine whether it is just inflammation or not. Quality jewelry or an alternative should be left in place to allow for drainage of the infection. Should the jewelry be removed, the surface cells can close up sealing the infection inside the piercing channel, resulting in an abscess. Until an infection is cleared up, keep the jewelry in!

• Should you decide you no longer want the piercing, simply remove the jewelry (or let us remove it) and continue cleaning the piercing until the hole closes. In most cases only a small mark will remain.

• Consider purchasing a backup piece of jewelry should you need to replace a ball end in case no jewelry is available when the loss occurs.

ORAL PIERCINGS

HOW CAN I MAINTAIN GOOD ORAL HYGIENE WITH A NEW PIERCING?

• Use a new soft-bristled toothbrush and store it in a clean area away from other toothbrushes.

• Brush your teeth and use your chosen rinse (saline or mouthwash) after every meal.During healing floss daily, and gently brush your teeth, tongue and jewelry.

• Once healed, brush the jewelry more thoroughly to avoid plaque build up.

• After you smoke, eat, or drink anything besides bottled water, rinse for 30 to 60 seconds This will clean your mouth and piercing and soothe discomfort. It will also minimize the white discharge that normally forms around the jewelry and helps to eliminate the residue from smoking.

• Using mouthwash, stay away from alcohol-based products. These are far too harsh, and repeated use can actually slow down healing. Instead, use a mild, alcohol-free mouth rinse. It’s the rinsing itself that is doing the work, not what you’re rinsing your mouth with, so the gentler solution is the best choice for speedy healing. Using a mouthwash too often—or one that is too harsh—can easily do more harm than good.

WHAT IS NORMAL?

• For the first three to five days: significant swelling, light bleeding, bruising, and/or tenderness.

• After that: Some swelling, light secretion of a whitish yellow fluid (not pus).

• 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.

• Even healed 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 CAN I DO TO REDUCE SWELLING?

• Pieces of ice to dissolve in the mouth.

• Take an over the counter, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory such as ibuprofen or naproxen sodium according to package instructions.

• Don't speak or move your jewelry more than necessary.

• Sleep with your head elevated above your heart during the first few nights.

WHAT ARE SOME ORAL PIERCING TIPS?

• Once the swelling has subsided, it is vital to replace the original, longer jewelry with a shorter post to avoid intra-oral damage. You can book a change out with your piercer here. This necessary jewelry change often occurs during healing, so it should be done by your piercer.

• With clean hands or paper product, be sure to regularly check threaded ends on your jewelry for tightness ("Righty-tighty, lefty-loosey.")

• Consider purchasing a backup piece of jewelry should you need to replace a ball end in case no jewelry is available when the loss occurs.

• Should you decide you no longer want the piercing, simply remove the jewelry (or let us remove it) and continue cleaning the piercing until the hole closes. In most cases only a small mark will remain.

• In the event an infection is suspected, quality jewelry or an alternative should be left in place to allow for drainage of the infection. Should the jewelry be removed, the surface cells can close up sealing the infection inside the piercing channel, resulting in an abscess. Until an infection is cleared up, keep the jewelry in!

• You can always come in and have a piercer check out your piercing if you are experiencing issues or need help replacing jewelry.

HOW DO I EAT WITH MY NEW PIERCING?

• Slowly eat small bites of food placed directly onto your molars.
  Avoid eating spicy, salty, acidic, or hot temperature foods or beverages for a few days.

• Cold foods and beverages are soothing and help reduce swelling.
  Foods like mashed potatoes and oatmeal are hard to eat because they stick to your mouth and jewelry.

• For tongue piercing, try to keep your tongue level in your mouth as you eat because the jewelry can get between your teeth when your tongue turns.

• For labret (cheek and lip) piercings: be cautious about opening your mouth too wide as this can result in the jewelry catching on your teeth.

• Each body is unique and healing times vary considerably. If you have any questions, please contact us.

WHAT SHOULD I AVOID?

Do not play with your jewelry. Long term effects include permanent damage to teeth, gums, and other oral structures.

• Avoid undue trauma; excessive talking or playing with the jewelry during healing can cause the formation of unsightly and uncomfortable scar tissue, migration, and other complications.

• Avoid using mouthwash containing alcohol. It can irritate the piercing and delay healing.

• Avoid oral sexual contact including French (wet) kissing or oral sex during healing (even with a long-term partner).

• Avoid chewing on tobacco, gum, fingernails, pencils, sunglasses, and other foreign objects that could harbor bacteria.

• Avoid sharing plates, cups, and eating utensils.

• Avoid smoking! It increases risks and lengthens healing time.

• Avoid stress and all recreational drug use.

• Avoid aspirin, alcohol, and large amounts of caffeine as long as you are experiencing bleeding or swelling.

• Avoid submerging healing piercings in bodies of water such as lakes, pools, etc.

  Each body is unique and healing times vary considerably. If you have any questions, please contact your piercer.