AFTERCARE INSTRUCTIONS AND TIPS
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YES, IT IS NORMAL
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For some bleeding, localized swelling, tenderness or bruising to initially occur.
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For some discoloration, itching and a secretion of a whitish-yellow fluid (this is lymph, not pus) that forms the crust around the jewellery.
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The jewellery doesn't always not move freely in the piercing once healed please do not forcefully move it.
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Failing to make sure you are cleaning your new piercing as part of your daily routine may cause a normal but smelly bodily secretion to accumulate.
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Piercings may seem healed before the healing process is complete. This is due to the tissue healing from the outside in. Although it feels fine, the inside of the piercings remains fragile. Be patient and keep cleaning throughout the entire healing period. Recommended by your piercer.
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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, keep jewellery in—do not leave it empty.
HELPFUL THINGS TO DO
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Make sure you are cleaning your phones, headphones, glasses and any headgear such as hats & helmets.
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When visiting the hairdresser/ stylist please make sure your hairdresser/ stylist is aware of your new piercing to keep them from knocking or catching it.
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Be sure to wash your hands before touching your piercing. But please leave your piercing alone except for when cleaning. Do not twist, turn or rotate your jewellery
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Make sure you are washing your bedding and changing it regularly.
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The t-shirt trick: Pop a clean T-shirt over your pillow, a clean t-shirt provides four clean surfaces for sleeping.
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Placing a travel pillow, on top of your pillow, and then placing your ear in the opening can be helpful to avoid this
THINGS TO KEEP AWAY FROM
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Products such as alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, antibacterial soaps, iodine, or any other harsh products, as these can damage the healing cells produced by your body. Also avoid ointments as they prevent necessary air circulation.
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Avoid Bactine®, pierced ear care solutions form popular high street shops, and other products containing Benzalkonium Chloride (BZK). These can be irritating and are not intended for long-term wound care.
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Over-cleaning! This can delay your healing and irritate your piercing; more cleaning won’t mean quicker healing please keep to the recommend routine from your piercer.
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Trauma such as friction from clothing, excessive motion of the area, playing with the jewellery, and vigorous cleaning. These and other activities can be the cause for the formation of “piercing bumps” and uncomfortable scar tissue, migration, prolonged healing, and other complications.
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Please no oral contact and contact with others’ bodily fluids on or near your piercing during healing. You wouldn’t lick someone else's fresh cut would you!
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Remember the healthier you are the better you heal. Please keep up water intake and heat as healthy as possible when healing your new piercing.
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Beauty and personal care products (foundations) need to be kept off and away from the piercing including all cosmetics, lotions, and hairsprays, etc.
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Don’t hang charms or any object from your jewellery until the piercing is fully healed.
WHAT DO I USE TO CLEAN MY EAR/ FACIAL PIERCING?
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Packaged sterile saline such as NeilMed is a gentle choice for piercing aftercare. Mixing your own sea salt solution is no longer a suggested practice from either the APP or UKAPP. We strongly encourage you to use a sterile saline labelled for use as a wound wash and therefore we offer NeilMed in the studio. Contact lens solutions and other saline products shouldn't ever be used on a body piercing. The saline solution you chose to use the ingredients should list 0.09% sodium chloride as the only ingredient. In mixing your own sea salt solution you will commonly make the solution far too salty and strong; this can over dry the piercing and interfere with healing.
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HOW DO I CLEAN MY EAR/ FACIAL PIERCING?
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Wash and dry your hands thoroughly
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Using your sterile saline (We recommend NeilMed) soak a cotton pad.
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Then using the cotton pad hold it over your new piercing for approximately 3 to 5 minutes to soften any crust or build up that maybe in the area.
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Using the edge of the cotton pad clean around the jewellery including behind the attachment and back of the piercing.
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Be sure when cleaning to get in and around all areas, especially with more ornate and decretive pieces.
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Using a fresh cotton pad be sure to make sure that the area is dry and free of moisture.
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Repeat twice daily however fits with your day. For example, if you do a sport or go to the gym please wait and clean your piercings after you’ve gone and gotten sweaty and dirty.
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As mentioned above you need to refrain from knocking or catching your new piercing as much as possible as well.
WHAT DO I USE TO CLEAN MY ORAL PIERCING?
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Packaged sterile saline such as NeilMed is a gentle choice for piercing aftercare. Mixing your own sea salt solution is no longer a suggested practice from either the APP or UKAPP. We strongly encourage you to use a sterile saline labelled for use as a wound wash and therefore we offer NeilMed in the studio. Contact lens solutions and other saline products shouldn't ever be used on a body piercing. The saline solution you chose to use the ingredients should list 0.09% sodium chloride as the only ingredient. In mixing your own sea salt solution you will commonly make the solution far too salty and strong; this can over dry the piercing and interfere with healing. You will also need to use a low or alcohol free mouthwash for the inside of any oral piercings such as labrets and for the main solution to rinse your mouth with for tongue piercings as well, we recommend Corsodyl.
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HOW DO I CLEAN MY ORAL PIERCING?
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Wash and dry your hands thoroughly
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For the outside of any oral piercings such as a labret start by using your sterile saline (We recommend NeilMed) soak a cotton pad.
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Then using the cotton pad hold it over your new piercing for approximately 3 to 5 minutes to soften any crust or build up that maybe in the area.
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Using the edge of the cotton pad clean around the jewellery including behind the attachment and back of the piercing.
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Be sure when cleaning to get in and around all areas, especially with more ornate and decretive pieces.
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Using a fresh cotton pad be sure to make sure that the area is dry and free of moisture.
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Now for the inside of things like labret piercings and tongue piercings you need to keep up with your normal oral healthcare. This means a new toothbrush or top if electric and then brushing twice daily along with regular mouth washing using an alcohol-free mouthwash (corsodyl is my favourite) to rinse out after meals when you can.
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Repeat twice daily however fits with your day. For example, if you do a sport or go to the gym please wait and clean your piercings after you’ve gone and gotten sweaty and dirty.
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As mentioned above you need to refrain from knocking or catching your new piercing as much as possible as well.
TONGUE PIERCING AFTERCARE TIPS
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Refrain from smoking, this includes but is not limited to tobacco products, vapes and illegal substances. These all will prevent your body from healing normally and potentially draw out the swelling making it last longer.
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Up your water intake, the more hydrated you are the quicker the swelling is likely to subside as well.
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Eat as you would normally but cut food items up smaller than you would usually. Foods that are soft such as mashed foods maybe easier to eat but honestly eat what you like, you're more likely to heal better if you are.
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Please do not play with the barbell in your tongue by running it across your teeth you will cause damage to the enamel and your new piercing as well.
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Sucking on small pieces of ice until they dissolve in the mouth will aid in the swelling and up your water intake as well.
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Feel free to take an over the counter, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory such as ibuprofen according to package instructions.
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Don’t speak or move your jewellery more than necessary.
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Sleep with your head elevated above your heart during the first few nights.
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Avoid oral sexual contact including French kissing or oral sex during healing (again would you lick a fresh cut?).
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Avoid chewing gum, tobacco, fingernails, pencils, sunglasses, etc.
WHAT DO I USE TO CLEAN MY GENITAL PIERCING?
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Packaged sterile saline such as NeilMed is a gentle choice for piercing aftercare. Mixing your own sea salt solution is no longer a suggested practice from either the APP or UKAPP. We strongly encourage you to use a sterile saline labelled for use as a wound wash and therefore we offer NeilMed in the studio. Contact lens solutions and other saline products shouldn't ever be used on a body piercing. The saline solution you chose to use the ingredients should list 0.09% sodium chloride as the only ingredient. In mixing your own sea salt solution you will commonly make the solution far too salty and strong; this can over dry the piercing and interfere with healing. An alternative for clients with anatomical female genital piercings is to use a product called femfresh. They do several washes and wipes that are pH balanced to the unique pH level of intimate vulvar skin.
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HOW DO I CLEAN MY GENITAL PIERCING?
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Wash and dry your hands thoroughly
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Start by using your sterile saline (We recommend NeilMed) soak a cotton pad.
-
Then using the cotton pad hold it over your new piercing for approximately 3 to 5 minutes to soften any crust or build up that maybe in the area.
-
Using the edge of the cotton pad clean around the jewellery including behind the attachment and back of the piercing.
-
Be sure when cleaning to get in and around all areas, especially with more ornate and decretive pieces.
-
Using a fresh cotton pad be sure to make sure that the area is dry and free of moisture.
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If using femfresh for vulva piercings, then use as directed on the packaging twice daily as you would if using a saline solution.
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Repeat twice daily however fits with your day. For example, if you do a sport or go to the gym please wait and clean your piercings after you’ve gone and gotten sweaty and dirty.
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As mentioned above you need to refrain from knocking or catching your new piercing as much as possible as well.
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GENITAL PIERCING AFTERCARE TIPS
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Genital Piercings – especially Triangles, Prince Alberts, Ampallangs, and Apadravyas – can and usually do bleed freely for the first few days. Be prepared for this with the use of such thing as sanitary pads (male & female), as these can help protect your clothing when worn inside underwear. Additional cleaning after urination is not necessary
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Be sure to wash your hands before touching on (or near) a healing piercing.
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In most cases you can engage in sexual activity as soon as you feel ready but maintaining hygiene and avoiding trauma are vital; all sexual activities should be gentle during the healing period.
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Use barriers such as condoms, dental dams, and waterproof bandages, etc. to avoid contact with your partners’ body fluids, even in long-term monogamous relationships.
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Use clean, disposable barriers on sex toys.
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Use a new container of water-based lubricant; do not use saliva.
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After sex, an additional saline rinse is suggested.
*Disclaimer: All aftercare guidelines are based on a combination of professional experience, common sense, research, and from both the APP and UKAPP. You can find more information at www.safepiercing.org and www.ukapp.org.uk This is not to be considered a substitute for medical advice from a doctor. If you suspect an infection, seek medical attention. Be aware that many doctors have not received specific training regarding piercing. Your local piercer may be able to refer you to a piercing-friendly medical professional.