EXTERNAL BODY PIERCING AFTERCARE
(For piercing through lip and/or cheek, follow oral care instructions as WELL)
YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CARE AND MAINTENANCE OF YOUR PIERCING.
DO NOT PLAY WITH YOUR JEWELRY!!!
This shop uses STERILE TOOLS, SINGLE USE NEEDLES, AND STERILE JEWELRY. The
healing success of your piercing depends on you. Please take these care
instructions seriously. If you maintain a healthy diet, and get enough rest, you
will help your body to heal itself quicker. YOU WILL DECIDE HOW WELL YOUR
PIERCING WILL HEAL BY THE CARE YOU GIVE IT.
DO NOT USE ANY OINTMENTS (NEOSPORIN, BACITRACIN, ETC.) OR ALCOHOL, BETADINE, OR
SIMILAR LIQUIDS.
DO NOT WEAR ANY BELTS, PANTS, PANTYHOSE, OR TIGHT CLOTHING OVER THE PIERCING AS
IT WILL IRRITATE THE PIERCING AND NOT ALLOW IT TO HEAL PROPERLY.
DO NOT TOUCH YOUR PIERCING WITH DIRTY HANDS.
DO NOT ALLOW CONTACT WITH ANY BODY PARTS OR BODILY FLUIDS (yours or your
friends) ON YOUR PIERCING FOR THE WHOLE INITIAL HEALING TIME ( 8-12 WEEKS )
DO NOT SOAK YOUR PIERCING IN ANY ( BATHTUBS, SWIMMING POOLS, HOT TUBS, RIVERS,
LAKES, OCEANS,ETC. ALL THESE BODIES OF WATER HARBOR A LOT OF BACTERIA.
WHAT TO EXPECT IF YOU PLAY WITH YOUR JEWELRY:
DOUBLE THE HEALING TIME - INCREASED SWELLING – SORENESS – INFECTION
SCARRING - SKIN GROWTH - SCAR TISSUE - JEWELRY MIGRATION – CHIPPED TEETH
- Expect soreness and redness for the first week or two, longer if you play with
the jewelry.
- A sea-salt solution is highly effective for cleaning & crust removal.
- Clean around both sides of the piercing. If a barbell is used initially, it
can be harder to clean and requires extra care. Be sure to clean around both
balls where they attach to the bar. Tighten balls gently (WITH CLEAN HANDS) as
you clean daily to make sure they don’t come loose.
SEA-SALT INSTRUCTIONS: Clean and rinse the piercing and jewelry 2-3 a day with a
warm SEA-SALT and DISTILLED WATER solution. Bottled water will work, NEVER use
tap water. The solution should be bath temperature hot.
MIX ¼ TEASPOON OF SEA-SALT TO 8 OZ OF WARM DISTILLED OR BOTTLED WATER. (2-3
pinches of salt to a small glass of water) The solution should be about as salty
as your tears… NO MORE. Soak the pierce by holding a cup with the sea-salt
solution firmly over the pierce or use cotton balls (DO NOT WRING THEM OUT) to
pack the area with the solution for about 2 minutes. Make sure both JEWELRY &
PIERCING is being soaked for about 2 minutes. DO NOT FORCE JEWELRY TO MOVE… YOU
CAN ROTATE IRRITATING MATERIAL INTO THE PIERCING. This would be bad. Remove all
remaining crust from the jewelry with a Q-tip using the solution. Soak the
pierce again for 10-15 sec, then rinse the area with clean distilled water. Pat
dry with a clean towel or paper towel and allow to air dry.
- As an alternative, but not as effective as sea-salt, you can clean 1-2X a day
with a medicated mild anti-microbial soap such as Satin or Provon brand soap.
Use warm water to loosen any crust that has formed around the piercing. Let the
shower run over the area for a minute or so to loosen crust. Lather area with
the soap, and work all crust from the ring with your fingertips or a Q-tip. It
is important to remove all crust from the jewelry. Leave the soap on the
piercing for about 30-60 seconds, then rinse well with clean distilled water.
Again, do NOT force the jewelry to move.
Most piercings with regular and consistent care heal initially in 6-12 weeks.
After this period (with good care) the piercing should feel completely
comfortable. It still requires 4-6 months (MINIMUM) to COMPLETELY heal and
strengthen. (Navels can take up to a year)
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR PIERCING or YOU HAVE ANY PROBLEMS PLEASE
CONTACT YOUR PIERCER TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM.