Piercings Aftercare

Aftercare

Cleaning Solutions

Mixing your own sea salt solution is no longer a suggested practice from the APP. Mixing your own sea salt solution will commonly result in the product being far too salty and strong, this can over dry the piercing and interfere with healing. We strongly encourage you to use a sterile saline, labeled for use as a wound wash. Your saline ingredients should list 0.9% 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 Instructions for Body Piercings

WASH your hands thoroughly prior to cleaning or touching your piercing for any reason.

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 jewellery.

What is Normal?

Initially: some bleeding, localized swelling, tenderness, or bruising.

During healing: some discoloration, itching, secretion of a whitish-yellow fluid that will form some crust on the jewellery. The tissue may tighten around the jewellery as it heals.

A piercing may seem healed before the healing process is actually complete. This is because this type of wound will heal from the outside to the inside. Although it may feel fine on the outside, the interior could still be fragile. Be patient, and keep the piercing clean throughout the entire healing period.

Once healed: the jewellery may not move freely in the piercing; do not force it. Cleaning your piercings as part of your normal hygiene routine can help them stay clean and avoid having normal, possibly smelly, secretions accumulate.

TIP: Piercings, even healed ones, can shrink or close in minutes, even 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.

What To Do

Wash your hands prior to touching the piercing; leave the piercing alone except when cleaning.

During healing, do not twist, spin, or rotate your jewelry.

Exercise and sweating during healing is fine. Avoid activities that could jostle or aggravate the piercing. Keep the piercing protected from bacteria present on gym equipment or exercise mats.

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 harbor bacteria. If you bathe in a tub, clean it well before each use and rinse off your piercing when you get out.

What To Avoid

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 and pressure 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, 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.

Avoiding things like excessive stress, drug use, excessive caffeine, nicotine and alcohol are suggested as they can prolong the healing process.

Avoid submerging the piercing in bodies of water such as lakes, pools, oceans, hot tubs, etc. Or, protect your piercing using a waterproof transparent film dressing. These are available at most pharmacies and are ideal 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 jewelry until the piercing is fully healed.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the best solution to clean my piercing?

Use only sterile saline 0.9 per cent made for wound care. Avoid homemade mixes and products like contact lens solution, eye drops or nasal sprays.

6. How long does it take to heal completely?

It depends on the area but piercings heal from the outside in. Even if it looks fine on the outside it may still be tender on the inside.

2. How many times a day should I clean my piercing?

Two to three times a day or as advised by your piercer.

7. Can I exercise while it is healing?

Yes but avoid impact pressure friction and contact with bacteria in the gym.

3. Should I twist or move the jewellery?

No. Moving the jewellery irritates the skin and slows down the healing.

8. Can I take a bath or go in a pool?

No. Avoid putting the piercing under water in pools the sea lakes and baths. Showers are safer.

4. How should I dry the piercing?

Use gauze or disposable paper towels. Avoid fabric towels.

5. Is it normal to have discharge or crusts?

Yes. A light yellow discharge and small crusts are normal while healing.

9. What should I avoid during healing?

Alcohol hydrogen peroxide ointments antibacterial soaps cosmetics perfumes touching the jewellery tight clothing and oral contact or body fluids.

10. Can the piercing close if I take the jewellery out?

Yes and very quickly. Piercings can close in minutes even after years. Always keep jewellery in the piercing.