Piercing Aftercare Instructions
After getting a new piercing, proper aftercare is crucial for ensuring a smooth healing process and preventing complications. Taking care of your piercing involves maintaining cleanliness, avoiding unnecessary irritation, and following specific care instructions for the best results. Healing times can vary, and consistency in your aftercare routine plays a key role in achieving a healthy, well-healed piercing. The aftercare guidelines are not a substitute for medical advice. If you are consulting with a doctor, please follow their guidance.
As is encouraged by the APP (Association of Professional Piercing), we strongly recommend you to use a sterile saline, labeled for use as a wound wash. Your saline ingredients should list .09% sodium chloride as the only ingredient (sometimes purified water will be listed). Additives like moisturizers and antibacterials should be avoided, as well as similar sounding products like contact lens saline, nasal spray, or eye drops.
cleaning solution
WASH your hands thoroughly prior to cleaning or touching your piercing for any reason; avoid touching it except for cleaning.
SPRAY with sterile saline wound wash while healing. Moving or rotating jewelry is not necessary during cleaning/rinsing and may actually irritate the piercing.
DRY with clean, disposable products like gauze or cotton swabs, gently removing any crusty debris or build up. Cloth towels should be avoided as they can harbor bacteria and snag on jewelry.
cleaning instructions
Change and wash your bedding regularly. Wear clean, breathable clothing while sleeping to protect the piercing.
Opt for Showers Over Baths: Showers are safer for healing piercings, as they allow water to gently rinse over the piercing, helping to soften debris. Avoid submerging your piercing in water to reduce the risk of infection.
Drink Plenty of Water: Staying hydrated supports healthy skin and aids the body’s natural healing process. Proper hydration helps flush out toxins and keeps your immune system functioning at its best, which is key to preventing infection and promoting faster healing.
Keep the initial jewelry in place throughout the entire healing process, unless there are issues with size, style, or material. Downsizing may be required, and a follow-up appointment should be scheduled 4-6 weeks from the initial piercing.
With clean hands be sure to regularly check threaded and threadless ends on your jewelry for tightness.
best practices
Avoid cleaning with alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, antibacterial soaps, iodine, or any harsh products, and do not make your own salt water mixtures. Also avoid ointments as they prevent necessary air circulation. Avoid over-cleaning as this can irritate and delay healing.
Avoid twisting, spinning, or rotating your jewelry during healing. Avoid friction, pressure from clothing, excessive motion, and playing with the jewelry to prevent complications.
Avoid Submerging in water: Keep your piercing out of lakes, pools, oceans, and hot tubs. If exposure is unavoidable, use a waterproof transparent film dressing to protect the area.
Avoid sleeping directly on a healing cartilage piercing, as it can cause irritation and alter the piercing's angle. Using a travel pillow on top of your regular pillow, with your ear resting in the opening, can help prevent this.
