Aftercare for your new piercing
All of our recommendations are based on our experience, training, and research. The following is a general guideline of information concerning your new piercing. If you have any questions, or concerns, or you would like more detailed information, don't hesitate to call us, or visit us in store. Also see our Piercing FAQ.
Please be aware that there are extra considerations for Nose, Lip, Tongue, Cartilage, and Nipple piercings. If you have any specific questions, it is best that you give us a call.
What should I expect?
Your piercing is likely to:
- Bleed slightly.
- Swell, bruise, and become tender for a few weeks.
- Show a small amount of redness
- Have a minor discharge yellowish in colour, which can turn into a crust.
We recommend avoiding things like rubbing alcohol, or anything with a high alcohol content. Always wash your hands thoroughly before touching and cleaning the piercing.
Using H2Ocean:
- Spray the purified ocean salt water solution H2Ocean on the sight of the piercing every 3 - 4 hours.
- Also, spray a bit of H2Ocean on a Q-tip and clean around the piercing to get rid of the "crusties"
- You will need 1/8 tsp of sea salt with 8oz of distilled water. (never use table salt, or tap water) This solution should taste no saltier than your tears.
- Form a seal with the end of the glass against your skin
- Soak your piercing for 5 - 10 minutes.
- Dry the area with a disposable paper towel, gauze, tissue, or cotton swab.
- This should normally be performed once a day at the opposite time of day than your shower.
What else can I do to help it heal?
- Leave your piercing alone.
- Avoid over-cleaning.
- Do not change your jewellery before 3 -4 months.
An infection is formed by contact with fungi, bacteria, or other of the like living pathogens. Infections are a minimal possibility if the proper precautions are taken. Most piercings become infected by unwashed hands coming in contact with the piercing, oral contact, or bodily fluids coming in contact with the piercing.
What are the signs of an infection?
Common signs of infection are:
- Hardness or swelling around the piercing.
- Severe redness.
- Throbbing pain.
- Piercing is warm to the touch.
- Thick discharge, yellow or green in colour.
- Do not remove the jewellery!
- Visit your piercer or physician.
- Make sure you do something about it.
- Make sure you check the ends of your jewelry for tightness.
- Keep all kinds of cosmetics, lotions, and hair care products away from the piercing.
- Avoid direct contact with telephones, headphones, etc. They can also be a source of irritation.
- Avoid hot tubs and public pools during the healing process. If you must swim, cover it with a waterproof bandage.
Do NOT use the following products:
- Hydrogen Peroxide
- Alcohol
- Contact Lens solution (Saline)
- Anything not manufactured to promote the healing of your piercing.
| What are the healing times for piercings? | ||||
| Lobes | 4 - 8 months | Conch | 4 - 12 months | |
| Helix | 4 - 10 months | Daith | 4 - 12 months | |
| Industrial | 4 - 12 months | Rook | 4 - 12 months | |
| Nose | 4 - 12 months | Tragus | 4 - 12 months | |
| Monroe | 8 - 12 weeks | Snug | 4 - 12 months | |
| Medusa | 8 - 12 weeks | Septum | 2 - 6 months | |
| Lip | 8 - 12 weeks | Navel | 4 - 12 months | |
| Eyebrow | 2 - 3 months | Bridge | 2 - 3 months | |
| Tongue | 6 - 8 weeks | Nipple | Male ~ 2 - 3 months Female ~ 2 - 6 months | |
