piercing AFTERCARE
Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before touching your piercing or jewelry.
Ice and Ibuprofen can be used for pain and swelling. Refer to Ibuprofen bottle instructions for directions.
Avoid unnecessary handling, twisting, or turning of the jewelry.
Keep hair, clothing, towels, and bedding away from the piercing site while it heals.
Avoid submerging the piercing in pools, hot tubs, lakes, rivers, or the ocean until fully healed.
Do not remove or change jewelry before the piercing is fully healed unless advised by a professional piercer or medical provider.
Follow any additional instructions given by your piercer.
Cleaning Routine (Saline Soak or Spray)
Clean the piercing 2-4 times a day
Use unscented antibacterial soap, sterile saline solution (0.9% saline) or a saline wound wash. You can make a saline soak at home by dissolving 1/4 teaspoon of non-iodized sea salt in 8 ounces (about 240 mL) of warm distilled or bottled water—use only if sterile saline is not available. (Do not use Alcohol, Peroxide, Neosporin, or Vaseline).
For pierced ears, nostrils, eyebrow, lip, navel or surface piercings: soak a clean gauze pad or paper cup with saline and apply to the piercing for 5–10 minutes or use a saline spray to thoroughly wet the area.
After soaking, gently pat dry with a clean, disposable paper towel or let air dry. Avoid cloth towels that can harbor bacteria.
What to Avoid
Do not use hydrogen peroxide, rubbing alcohol, tea tree oil, ointments (like bacitracin or Neosporin), or harsh cleansers. These can irritate tissue and delay healing.
Avoid makeup, creams, perfumes, and hair products near the piercing.
Do not play with or rotate the jewelry; moving jewelry can delay healing and introduce bacteria.
Avoid tight clothing or accessories that rub on the piercing.
Refrain from sexual activity that exposes genital or oral piercings to bacteria until healed, or use barrier protection.
Healing Times (typical ranges)
Earlobe: 6–8 weeks
Cartilage (ear): 3–12 months
Nostril: 2–4 months
Septum: 6–8 months
Eyebrow: 6–8 weeks to 6 months
Lip: 6–8 weeks to 6 months
Navel: 6 months to 1 year
Surface piercings: 6 months to 1 year Healing times vary by individual, aftercare, and piercing location. Continue care until fully healed
Signs of Normal Healing
Mild redness, swelling, tenderness, and slight clear or white discharge during the early healing phase.
A thin crust of dried lymph (a yellowish or whitish crust) may form; soak and gently remove it during cleaning—do not pick.
Signs of Infection or Complications
(seek professional help) Seek immediate medical attention or contact your piercer if you notice:
Increasing redness, heat, swelling, or severe pain after the first few days.
Thick yellow, green, or foul-smelling discharge.
Fever, chills, or red streaking away from the piercing.
Embedded jewelry (piercing appears sunken or jewelry is trapped under skin).
Keloid or hypertrophic lumps that grow rapidly or become painful. If you suspect a serious infection, see a healthcare provider promptly.
Jewelry Care and Changes
Only change jewelry after the piercing is fully healed. If unsure, consult your piercer.
check that jewelry is secure as well as slightly rotate the piercing. (Only rotate piercing area during cleaning while its wet, never dry)
Use high-quality jewelry made from implant-grade titanium, surgical stainless steel, niobium, or 14k–18k gold (solid, nickel-free). Avoid low-quality metals that may cause allergic reactions.
When you do change jewelry, clean new jewelry with saline and follow proper sterile techniques.
When to Contact Your Piercer
If you have questions about aftercare, jewelry type, or healing progress.
If you need a professional to examine the piercing for migration, rejection, or embedding.
If you want to change jewelry and are unsure if the piercing is healed.
Irritation could be mistaken for infection. Do not remove jewelry. The jewelry must stay in to allow drainage.
Please call or message us with any questions or concerns
619-820-0954