PIERCING AFTERCARE

SOAP

Make sure to us liquid antibacterial or antimicrobial soap.  Bar soaps are easily contaminated.  Avoid perfumed and dyed soaps, as they can be very irritating.  Many brands can be used, including:  Provon, Satin, Dial, Lever 2000 and most generics.  Avoid the use of alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, Betadine, Hibiclens or ointment.

The easiest way to clean your piercing is in the shower or over the sink.  First, wash your hands with soap.  Next, wash surrounding area of the piercing.  Remove any discharge from the piercing and jewelry.  Once the jewelry is clean, lather with soap and work soap into the piecing by moving the jewelry back and forth.  Let sit for two to three minutes.  Then, rinse thoroughly while moving jewelry back and forth to work all of the soap out.

SALT WATER

Warm salt water can speed healing for most piercings.  Sea Salt (found in most health stores) or kosher salt (found in most grocery stores) should be used.  Table salt should not be used because it contains iodine.  When purchasing your salt, look at the ingredients – it should contain no additives.

For facial piercings, a paper towel soaked in a solution of ¼ teaspoon of salt to 8 oz. of hot water works best.  Hold paper towel to the piercing for about 10 minutes. 

For piercings below the neck there are two methods:

1.    Make a solution of ¼ teaspoon salt to 8 oz. of water and put in a small glass.  Invert the glass over the piercing and make suction and hold it there for about 10 minutes. 
2.    Clean your bath tub, add about ½ cup salt to a hot bath and soak in it for about 10 minutes.  This should be done a few times a week in addition to cleaning or, in case of infection, a few times daily.

*NOTE* - for oral piercings, use saltwater solution as a rinse.

The benefits of using salt water on any piercing are that it can speed up healing and draw out impurities.  Make sure to clean with soap after soaking.  
If you have any questions, don’t be afraid to call us!  Our number is 732 247 8666.

Please stop by to show us your healed piercing!  Thanks and Enjoy.

Additional Information on Piercing Aftercare

WHAT IS NORMAL
- Initially: some bleeding, localized swelling, tenderness, or bruising.
- During healing: some discoloration, itching, secretion of fluid (not pus) that will form some crust on the jewelry. The tissue may tighten around the jewelry as it heals.
- Once healed: the jewelry may not move freely in the piercing; DO NOT force it. If you fail to include cleaning your piercing as a part of your daily hygiene routine, normal but smelly bodily secretions may accumulate.  Even washing won’t help.
- A piercing may seem healed before healing is complete. This is because piercings heal from the outside in, and although it feels healed the tissue remains fragile on the inside. BE PATIENT, and keep cleaning throughout the entire healing period.
- Even healed piercings can shrink or close in minutes after having been there for years! This varies from person to person; if you like your piercing, leave the jewelry in place.

WHAT TO DO
- Wash your hands prior to touching the piercing; leave it alone except when cleaning. It is not necessary to rotate the jewelry while healing except during cleaning.
- Stay healthy. Get enough sleep and eat a nutritious diet. The healthier your lifestyle, the easier it will be for your piercing to heal. Exercise during healing is fine.
- Make sure your bedding is kept clean and changed regularly. Wear clean, comfortable, breathable clothing that protects your piercing while sleeping. 

WHAT TO AVOID
- Avoid undue trauma such as friction from clothing, excessive motion of the area, playing with the jewelry 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.
- Avoid stress and recreational drug use including excessive caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol.
- Avoid submerging the piercing in bodies of water such as lakes, pools, jacuzzis, etc. 
- 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.
- Pools and ocean are ok as long as you clean your piercing well afterward, or at least rinse with bottled water.

HEALING TIMES

Facial Piercings:             
Ear Lobes:    6-8 weeks        
Ear Cartilage:    6 months – 1 year        
Eyebrow:    6-8 weeks        
Bridge:    8-10 weeks            
Septum:    6-8 weeks            
Tongue:    6-8 weeks            
Lip/Labret:    6-10 weeks            
Beauty mark:    6-10 weeks            
Tongue Webbing:    6-8 weeks            

Navel and Nipple Piercings:
Male Nipple:    2-4 months  
Female Nipple:    6-9 months   
Navel:    6 months – 1 year       

Female Genital Piercings:           
Christina:    4-6 months       
Clitoral hood:    2-8 weeks        
Outer labia:    2-4 months        
Inner labia:    2-8 weeks        
Fourchette:    2-8 weeks        
Triangle:    8- 12 weeks        
Frenum:    6-12 weeks
Scrotum:    8-10 weeks
Guiche:    3-4 months

Male Genital Piercings:
Prince Albert:    4-9 weeks   
Reverse PA:    4-9 months
Apadravya:    4-9 months
Ampallang:    4-9 months
Dydoe:    4-6 months
Foreskin:    8-12 weeks

Hints and Tips

Jewelry

- Unless there is a problem with the size, style, or material of the initial jewelry, leave it in place for the entire healing period. A qualified piercer should perform any necessary jewelry change that occurs during healing. 
- Contact your piercer if your jewelry must be temporarily removed (such as for a medical procedure). There are non-metallic jewelry alternatives.
- Leave jewelry in at all times. Even old, well-healed piercings can shrink or close in minutes after having been there for years! If removed re-insertion can be difficult or impossible.
- With clean hands or paper product, be sure to regularly check threaded ends on your jewelry for tightness. (“Righty-tighty, lefty-loosey”).
- Carry a clean spare ball in case of loss or breakage. 
- Should you decide you no longer want the piercing, seek professional help in the removal of the jewelry and continue cleaning the piercing until the hole closes. In most cases only a small indentation will remain.

For Particular Areas

Nipple
- The support of a tight cotton shirt or sports bra may provide protection and feel comfortable, especially for sleeping.

Genital
- In most cases you can engage in sexual activity as soon as you feel ready. Comfort and hygiene are vital.
- During healing all sexual activities must be gentle. To increase comfort and decrease trauma, soak in warm saline solution or plain water to remove any crusty matter, prior to sexual activity.
- Use barriers such as condoms, dental dams, and Tegaderm, etc.* to avoid contact with a partner’s bodily fluids, even in long-term relationships.
- Use clean, disposable barriers on sex toys. 
- Wash hands before touching on or near the piercing. 
- Use a new container of water based lubricant.* Do not use your own saliva as a lubricant.
- After sex, an additional saline soak or clean water rinse is suggested.
- Prince Albert and Apadravya piercings can bleed freely for the first few days.
- If using soap, urinate after cleaning any piercing that is near the urethra. Each body is unique and healing times vary considerably.