Congratulations on your new piercing!
Now it is up to you to take care of it properly.  Failure to do so may result in delayed healing or even infection.  Remember, it's your body -- take care of it!


CARING FOR YOUR PIERCING...

• Sea salt soaks:  Mix 4 teaspoons of non-iodized sea salt into one gallon of distilled water (the ratio is important, so measure carefully!).  Pour some of this solution into a clean, disposable cup, warm it up in the microwave (not too hot!! Warm bath-water temperature is perfect), and completely submerge your percing into the water for 7-10 minutes.  When you're finished with your soak, rinse your piercing thoroughly with clean warm water and gently pat it dry with a clean disposable paper towel.  Hot compresses made from disposable paper towels or sterile gauze may be used for difficult soaking sites (like nostrils) but are not as effective, so submerging the piercing is always advisable if possible.  Sea salt soaks should be done 2 - 4 times daily if it is the only aftercare method you are using.
• Sterile sea salt spray:  Spray the entire piercing area and allow the solution to dry and soak into the skin, then rinse the area with clean water.  Do this every 3 - 4 hours.  When using a sea salt spray, it is advisable to sea salt soak your piercing every couple of days, but multiple daly soaks are unnecessary and may lead to dryness and/or irritation.
• In the shower:  Avoid getting shampoo, conditioner, body wash or other products near the piercing as much as possible.  At the end of your shower, wash the skin around the piercing with a mild liquid anti-bacterial/anti-microbial soap.  Avoid turning, twisting, or rotating the jewelry as you do this, the soap should not get into the piercing.  Rinse the area thoroughly, as soap residue can irritate your piercing.  Soaps containing high amounts of perfumes, dyes, or the active ingredient Triclosan (found in most anti-bacterial products) tend to irritate healing piercings, and should be avoided.

ADDITIONAL CARE FOR ORAL PIERCINGS

• Rinse with an alcohol-free, anti-bacterial mouthwash after eating, drinking, smoking or putting anything in your mouth.  Alcohol based mouthwashes are too harsh and will irritate your piercing.
• 3 - 5 times a day, rinse with a warm sea salt water solution (using your pre-made gallon).  Sea salt water rinses will speed and ease the healing process.

  Brush your teeth 3 times a day using a new toothbrush.

  Avoid drinking alcohol for the first few weeks of your healing period.  Alcoholic beverages will increase your swelling and may make your piercing bleed.

  Cut down or stop smoking.  Smokers may experience considerably longer healing times.

  EAT!!!  It's important to keep your body healthy wile you're healing your piercing.  Soft and bite-sized foods will be easiest for the first week or two.  Try and avoid hot, spicy or crunchy foods until your piercing is healed.

  Most  oral piercings will need to be downsized 2 - 4 weeks into your healing period.  Wearing the initial "starter" jewelry once your swelling has subsided may lead to dental damage.  Com back and see your piercer when you're ready for a downsize to insure you get properly sized jewelry.  To help you avoid complications, we're more than happy to put your new jewelry in for you as well.  Except for downsizing, jewelry should not be changed until your piercing is completely healed.

   

  WHAT TO EXPECT...
  
  A normal healing piercing....

  • May be tender, itchy or bruised for a few weeks.
  • May bleed a little for the first few days.
  • May be slightly red.  Redness may persist on and off for the entire healing period.
  • May secrete a whitish-yellow fluid, which may crust on the jewelry.  This is lymph discharge and will stop when the piercing is healed.
  • May be swollen.  An ice pack wrapped in a clean disposable paper towel and applied to the swollen area will help alleviate the swelling.  An over the counter anti-inflammatory such as Advil, Aleve or Motrin may also help reduce swelling.
  • May need to be checked periodically to insure threaded jewelry is still tight.  Threaded jewelry is like anything else, "righty tighty, lefty loosey".  Make sure you wash your hands before touching your jewelry.

  WHAT NOT TO DO...

  • DO NOT touch your piercing with unwashed hands.
  • DO NOT twist, turn or rotate your jewelry.
  • DO NOT let your piercing come in contact with dirty bedding or clothing, pet hair or dander or other people's body fluids.
  • DO NOT expose your piercing to any water other than your shower or your sea salt water solution.  NO rivers, lakes, hot tubs, oceans or swimming pools!  If you're going to take a bath, it is advisable that you shower first and then thoroughly rinse the tub before filling it with bath water.
  • DO NOT get cosmetics, facial cleansers, tanning oils, lotions, moisturizers, hair sprays, hair gels or similar products on the piercing.
  • DO NOT use any cleaning products on your piercing that have not been recommended by your piercer.  This includes Neosporin, peroxide, alcohol, Betadine, Bactine, witch hazel, etc.
  • DO NOT wear restrictive clothing, irritating clothing or anything that limits oxygen flow over the piercing.
  • DO NOT change your jewelry before your piercing is healed.  It is also a good idea to come in and let your piercer change your jewelry for you the first few times.
  • DO NOT hesitate to stop by or give me a call if you have any questions or concerns regarding your piercing.  I AM MORE THAN HAPPY TO HELP YOU!

   

   

   

   

  PIERCING HEALING Q&A...

   

  • Q:  How do I know when my piercing is healed?
  • A:  You'll know when your piercing is healed when it no longer discharges lymph fluids (aka crusties).

   

  • Q:  My ball keeps falling off. Do you sell more of the end balls?  I can't seem to find the ones you use in other stores!

  • A:  Yes I do.  I use internally threaded jewelry, so the ends are the same.  Typical jewelry found in stores is externally threaded.  I carry an assortment of regular, internally threaded steel balls, from 2 - 5mm.  I also have various gem ends in different colors.  Make it a habit to check that the end(s) are tight every time you clean your piercing.