CLEANING STEPS

FACE/BODY/EAR

  • Spray wound wash (sterile saline spray such as Neil Med) 2 – 3 times a day, directly to the piercing.  Spray a cotton swab with the wound wash and gently wipe away and debris or “crusties”. Do not scrub or pick.
  • Dry your piercing after cleaning or anytime it gets wet. Use products like cotton swabs, paper towels, or a hair dryer.

OR

  • Rinse directly in the shower stream for 3-5 minutes, after your usual hygiene routine.
  • Dry your piercing after cleaning or anytime it gets wet. Use products like cotton swabs, paper towels, or a hair dryer.

ORAL AFTERCARE

  • Follow the above Face/Body/Ear aftercare (except tongues)
  • Keep swelling under control:  Drink ice water, sleep with your head above your heart, eat soft food, take small bites while eating, and if medically able to do so, use an anti-inflammatory such as aspirin or ibuprofen.
  • Rinse with fresh water after eating, drinking, or smoking.
  • Avoid contact with bodily fluids, including sharing food, drinks, etc.

THINGS TO AVOID

  • Avoid swimming and submerging (pools, tubs, etc)
  • Do not use alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, ear care solution, tea tree oil, ointments, nasal saline, or contact solution.
  • Do not sleep on your piercing
  • Avoid soaps- rinse in the shower stream for 30 seconds after completing your routine.

TIPS FOR SUCCESS

  • Keep wet hair and any products (makeup, skin care, haircare, etc.) away from healing piercings as both can cause irritation.
  • Avoid submerging your piercing for the first 2 months.
  • Leave your jewelry in your piercing fro the entire healing process. You will be given a downsize time frame during your appointment.
  • Piercings can close quite quickly if jewelry isn’t left in the piercing channel –  even healed ones! Medically appropriate borosilicate glass retainers are available in cases of necessity (MRI, surgery, etc.)
  • In the event of irritation or possible metal reaction, please come in and we will assess.
  • Check jewelry for tightness on occasion, especially threaded ends.
  • Contact a medical provider if signs of infection are present. Leave your jewelry in place until otherwise directed by a medical professional.

DOWNSIZING

  • We use jewelry that is longer in length for the initial swelling of a piercing.   Once swelling goes down, the jewelry can feel long and can cause irritation from rubbing back and forth, moving or snagging.

AVERAGE DOWNSIZE TIMEFRAMES 

  • Face/Body/Ear: 6-8 weeks after the initial piercing
  • Lip: 4-6 weeks after initial piercing
  • Tongue: 2 weeks after initial piercing