Piercing Aftercare Instructions
DO NOT TOUCH YOUR PIERCING UNLESS YOUR HANDS ARE CLEAN
DO NOT CHANGE YOUR JEWELRY BEFORE IT'S HEALED
SOME POST/STUD JEWELRY REQUIRES DOWNSIZING AFTER 4-6 WEEKS
DO NOT SLEEP ON NEW CARTILAGE PIERCINGS
NeilMed Piercing Aftercare spray is my top choice for aftercare spray. You can purchase it in studio during your scheduled appointment.
CARING FOR YOUR NEW PIERCING
Spray front and back, morning and night, with sterile saline spray. (I recommend NeilMed Piercing Mist)
Purchase a piercing pillow for better healing and sleep. (Amazon "piercing pillow", travel pillow, or donut)
After getting your piercing wet, use a blow dryer on the cool setting, or use a fan to dry.
Do not sleep on your piercing (besides lobes) until healed or post downsized and several months have passed.
Make sure all hair products, makeup, skin products, etc. are rinsed away or do not come near the piercing.
No swimming or submerging in pools, hot tubs, lakes, ocean, etc. for at least 30 days, more if possible.
WHAT IS NORMAL DURING THE HEALING PROCESS:
Bleeding, bruising, and moderate swelling.
Tenderness or discomfort in the area can be expected for several days or even months depending on location.
Discoloration (redness) and mild itching.
Secretion of a whitish-yellow clear fluid (not pus) is to be expected. It is lymph fluid, and dries into “crusties.”
Piercings can go through “ups and downs” while healing. They may seem healed, and then regress.
Piercings (including healed) that are not cleaned daily may smell unpleasant.
Most piercings will shrink or close very quickly if the jewelry is removed.
IRRITATION BUMPS
If you see a bump appear around your piercing, please make sure you are doing the following things for at least 1-2 weeks before scheduling a consult. These bumps are temporary and will usually go away on their own with proper care and being extra careful.
- Only touch with clean hands, but never touch unless necessary. No picking, twisting, touching.
- Don't sleep on your piercing.
- Keep it clean, but also keep it very dry. Never let water or saline sit or pool on the piercing.
- If you've had trauma to the area, do what you need to do to stop the trauma from happening in the future.
- Don't wear headphones or earbuds if they touch your piercing.
- Don't let sweat sit on your piercing. Clean it very well after working out, then dry after.
Contact me for a consult if the bump is still there after you've done these things.
I am not legally able to diagnose an infection. Signs of infection include pus, excess swelling, and hot to the touch.If you think you need medical care, please see a doctor as soon as possible. While infection is rare, it is possible with any wound. Aftercare plays the biggest role in the outcome.
