Aftercare

This aftercare guide is intended to help you through the healing process. Following our simple suggestions, which are based on information presented in studies on wound care and on years of piercing experience, can help to keep the healing process going smoothly.

We have found that SEA SALT is the most successful treatment material. By mixing one-quarter (1/4) teaspoon of sea salt to one cup (8oz.) of clean water, a saline solution is created. This mixture of sea salt and water works with your body’s chemistry, helping your body do its job in healing the wound. DO NOT use Epsom or Bath Salt. Sea salt is available, very inexpensively, from our studio, most health food stores, and some grocery stores. The saline solution works best when applied to a piercing as follows:

ORAL PIERCINGS

(Including the interior of the piercing such as the labret or philtrum)

RINSE: Rinsing of the oral piercing is done quite often and, since it works with your body, you may rinse many times throughout the day. Mix your saline solution ahead of time and keep some with you. One suggestion is to buy a bottle of drinking water (500ml) and mix in a half (1/2) teaspoon of sea salt. Rinse after eating, smoking, or drinking anything other than bottled water, or any other times you feel necessary. Oral piercings benefit the most from the rinsing regime during the first 3 to 6 weeks.

TIPS FOR ORAL PIERCINGS:
• Think COLD! Ice and cold drinks can help reduce swelling. An anti-inflammatory, such as Ibuprofen, will also be helpful.
• Check the balls of threaded jewelry and make sure they are tight.They work like a screw i.e. right is tight, left is loose. Don’t irritate the piercing by playing with it until it is fully healed.
• AVOID (NO) wet kissing or oral sex and cut down or stop smoking. Smokers will experience more discomfort, excessive swelling and longer healing times than non-smokers.

BODY PIERCINGS

(Including the exterior of the piercing such as the labret or monroe)

SOAK: Septum and genital piercings heal faster when they get a 10 minute salt water soak, twice daily for 4 weeks. The best way to do this is as follows. Mix one-quarter (1/4) teaspoon of sea salt to each one cup (8oz.) of water. Either lower the piercing into the solution or use a cup to flip the solution against your skin.

COMPRESS: Mix one-quarter (1/4) teaspoon of sea salt to one cup (8oz.) of water in a bowl. Heat for 45 seconds in the microwave, stir, and soak up with a clean gauze. Hold gauze firmly against the piercing for 10 minutes, twice daily, 4 weeks for soft tissue piercings, 6 weeks for cartilage piercings.

TIPS FOR BODY PIERCINGS:
• After soaking the piercing for 10 minutes, use a cotton swab to remove the crustiness (this is dried lymph and is normal).
• Do not wear tight or restrictive clothing against your piercing, especially with navel piercings.
• Wear clean clothes and bathe daily.
• Clean your piercing as soon as possible after working out.
• Avoid contact between hair or make-up and your piercing.

NORMAL HEALING: Clear to slightly yellow crusties, occasional mild bleeding during the first few days, redness, tenderness, itchiness and moderate swelling are all normal after a piercing.

TIPS FOR ALL PIERCINGS

• Wash your hands before touching your piercing and only touch when cleaning. NO contact between your piercing and other people’s body fluids during healing.
• Poor diet, stress, and lack of sleep can all have a negative effect on healing time.
• AVOID petroleum/oil based products, peroxide and alcohol.

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