Choosing Aftercare
It has been observed for a long time by body piercers globally that advising clients to mix their own sea salt solutions commonly results in them being way too strong; this not only dries out the piercing, interfering with the healing process but can also cause salt burns which can break down the surrounding skin or cause unsightly irritation bumps. We therefore feel it is not good practice recommending this method to our clients. We strongly suggest the use of a sterile saline solution specially for the use of wound cleaning. The ONLY ingredient listed should be 0.9% sodium chloride. Contact lens saline, eye drops, and other saline products should never be used on a body piercing.
What To Expect
Even healed piercings that you have had for years can shrink or close in minutes! This varies from person to person;
if you like your piercing, keep your jewellery in - do not leave the hole empty
Cleaning Your Piercing
4 easy steps to success
01
Wash
Hands must be thoroughly washed prior to cleaning. We do not recommend touching your piercing for any other reason.
03
Rinse
Thoroughly rinse the piercing site as needed to remove cleaning solution residue. There is no need to move or rotate your jewellery during cleaning or rinsing. We do not recommend moving your jewellery at all during healing.
02
Saline
Rinse twice daily while healing with a 0.9% Sodium Chloride wound wash to remove any build up around the site or jewellery. For certain piercings it may be easier to apply using clean gauze saturated with the solution
04
Dry
gently pat dry with clean, disposable paper towel as cloth towels can harbour bacteria and snag on jewellery causing injury which will increase the healing time.
Keep Yourself Healthy
• The healthier your lifestyle, the easier it will be for your piercing to heal.
• Get enough sleep.
• To help healing and bolster your ability to fight infection, eat a nutritious diet.
The Do’s.......
• Wash your hands prior to touching the piercing; leave it alone except when cleaning. During healing it is not necessary to rotate your jewellery.
• Exercise during healing is fine; listen to your body.
• Make sure your bedding is washed and changed regularly. Wear clean, comfortable, breathable clothing that protects your piercing while you are sleeping.
• Showers tend to be safer than taking baths, as bathtubs can harbour bacteria. If you bathe in a tub, clean it well before each use and rinse off your piercing when you get out.
And The Do Nots!
• Avoid cleaning with alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, antibacterial soaps, iodine, or any harsh products, as these can damage cells. Also avoid ointments as they prevent necessary air circulation.
• Avoid Bactine®, pierced ear care solutions, and other products containing Benzalkonium Chloride (BZK). These can be irritating and are not intended for long-term wound care.
• Avoid over-cleaning. This can delay your healing and irritate your piercing.
• Avoid undue trauma such as friction from clothing, excessive motion of the area, playing with the jewellery, and vigorous cleaning. These activities can cause the formation of unsightly and uncomfortable scar tissue, irritation bumps, migration, prolonged healing, and other complications.
• Avoid all oral contact, rough play, and contact with others’ bodily fluids on or near your piercing during healing.
• Avoid stress and recreational drug use, including excessive caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol.
• Avoid submerging the piercing in unhygienic bodies of water such as lakes, pools, hot tubs, etc. Or, protect your piercing using a waterproof wound-sealant bandage. These are available at most drugstores and work best for nipple, navel, and surface piercing placements.
• Avoid all beauty and personal care products on or around the piercing including cosmetics, lotions, and sprays, etc.
• Don’t hang charms or any object from your jewellery until the piercing is fully healed.
• Sleeping directly on a healing cartilage piercing can cause irritation, even causing shifts in the piercing’s angle. Placing a travel pillow, on top of your pillow, and then placing your ear in the opening can be helpful to avoid this
Piercing Specific Advise
Ear/Cartlidge/Facial
• Use the t-shirt trick: Dress your pillow in a large, clean t-shirt and turn it nightly; one clean t-shirt provides four clean surfaces for sleeping.
• Maintain cleanliness of phones, headphones, eyeglasses, helmets, hats, and anything that contacts the pierced area.
• Use caution when styling your hair and advise your stylist of a new or healing piercing.
Navel
A hard, vented eye patch (sold at pharmacies) can be applied under tight clothing (such as nylon stockings) or secured using a length of elastic bandage around the body (to avoid irritation from adhesive). This can protect the area from restrictive clothing, excess irritation, and impact during physical activities such as contact sports.
Dermal Anchor
• These piercings require maintenance during their entire lifetime because matter can build up underneath the threaded top causing the piercing to become irritated. Saline and/or shower rinses may be helpful with removing matter from underneath the threaded top.
• Avoid putting makeup on these piercings even after healing.
• Even with proper care, surface anchors may be less permanent than other body piercings.
Oral
• Rinse with a non-alcohol based antibacterial twice daily. Rinse out with warm water after eating and drinking anything other than water.
• Avoid smoking including vapes, chewing tabacco, milk and dairy products, alcohol and spicy foods while your piercing is healing.
Nipple
The support of a tight cotton shirt or sports bra may provide protection and feel comfortable, especially for sleeping.
Genital
• Genital Piercings - especially Triangles, Prince Alberts, Ampallangs, and Apadravyas - can bleed freely for the first few days. Be prepared. Additional cleaning after urination is not necessary
• Wash your hands before touching on (or near) a healing piercing.
• In most cases you can engage in sexual activity as soon as you feel ready, but maintaining hygiene and avoiding trauma are vital; all sexual activities should be gentle during the healing period.
• Use barriers such as condoms, dental dams, and waterproof bandages, etc. to avoid contact with your partners’ body fluids, even in long-term monogamous relationships.
• Use clean, disposable barriers on sex toys.
• Use a new container of water-based lubricant; do not use saliva.
• After sex, an additional saline rinse is suggested