Piercing Aftercare

Body Piercing Aftercare Instructions Congratulations on your new piercing! Proper aftercare is essential to ensure safe healing. Follow these steps to promote healthy recovery.

1. General Guidelines

• Healing Time: Healing times vary by piercing type. For example:
  • Earlobe: 6–8 weeks
  • Cartilage: 3–12 months
  • Navel: 6–12 months
  • Dermals: 3–6 months
• Avoid touching the piercing with unwashed hands.

2. Cleaning Your Piercing

• Frequency: Clean twice daily. Over-cleaning can irritate the area.
• Solution: Use sterile saline solution (0.9% sodium chloride) or a non-alcoholic, fragrance-free saline wound wash.
• Steps:
  1. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water.
  2. Spray or apply the saline solution to the piercing with a sterile gauze pad or cotton swab.
  3. Let it air dry—do not use towels or tissues to avoid contamination.

3. What to Avoid

• Do not twist, rotate, or play with the jewelry.
• Avoid alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or harsh soaps, as they can damage healing tissue.
• Avoid submerging the piercing in bodies of water (pools, hot tubs, lakes) until fully healed.
• Avoid sleeping directly on the piercing. Use a clean travel pillow for comfort if needed.

4. Jewelry Care

• Leave the initial jewelry in place until fully healed. Changing jewelry too early can disrupt the healing process.
• Ensure jewelry is made from implant-grade titanium, stainless steel, or gold to reduce irritation.

5. Signs of Healing vs. Infection

• Normal Healing: Mild redness, slight swelling, and clear or pale yellow discharge are common.
• Possible Infection: Excessive redness, warmth, green or foul-smelling discharge, severe swelling, or persistent pain.

6. What to Do if Issues Arise

• If you suspect an infection, continue cleaning with saline and consult a healthcare professional immediately.
• Avoid removing the jewelry unless instructed by a professional, as it can trap the infection inside the piercing.

7. Lifestyle Tips

• Stay hydrated and eat a balanced diet to support healing.
• Avoid alcohol, smoking, and recreational drugs, as they can delay healing.
• Be mindful of clothing that might rub against the piercing.
• Avoid Soaking in any body of water, esspically avoid Hottubs, sunas, the ocean, sun, and tanning beds until the piercing is completely healed.
• Be mindful of your activities in the following days after your new piercings, ( ex: you may want to avoid hot yoga if you just had your navel pierced.)
• Contact Information:  We can be reached at 941-301-8313 during normal business hours as posted online, excluding holidays. If you have concerns about your piercing, contact your piercer, or licensed healthcare provider or both.

This aftercare sheet is based on recommendations by professional body piercers, however you should always consult first with your medical provider and follow the aftercare instructions given by the provider if different from the above. Feel free to show this webpage to your doctor and ask for their advice in the event that you deem necessary.

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