Aftercare - Body & Facial Piercings
1. Never touch your piercing with dirty hands. Before cleaning, wash hands thoroughly.
2. Wash your piercing 1-2 times daily, until fully healed, with a mild, unscented, uncolored soap (e.g. Dove, Dial). Avoid cleaning more than this as it may irritate the piercing and possibly delay healing time.
3. Remove any discharge with a paper towel or q-tip. Never pick it off with your fingernails.
4. Gently pat dry with a disposable tissue because cloth towels can carry bacteria.
5. Do not spin or turn the jewellery as it may tear the healing tissue inside the piercing, which will delay the healing time and heighten the chance of rejection or scarring.

Mild sea salt water soaks are suggested at least once a day to accelerate healing, increase comfort, and may help reduce irritation in this area. Mix ¼ tsp. of sea salt into 1 cup (8oz) of warm or hot water. Hold cup over piercing forming a vacuum and soak directly for 3-5 minutes. Some piercings may require using a shot glass , or soaking a paper towel and applying. Salt water helps to stimulate air and blood circulation. Soaking is suggested before doing anything active because it prevents crust from being pulled into the piercing. Sea salt can be found at your local health food or grocery store.

The piercing should be left alone except to clean it. The initial jewellery is best left in for the entire healing time of the piercing (times may vary considerably, consult your piercer if unsure). There will be a series of ups and downs during the healing process by seeming healed and then regressing. Please be patient. Each body is unique and will heal differently. If your piercing is tender or secreting you should continue your aftercare regimen, even if it is past the stated time range.

To Help Healing
Reduce intake of aspirin, alcohol, and caffeine. Ibuprofen (e.g. Advil, Motrin) can help minimize swelling and discomfort. Make sure bedding is clean and changes frequently. Showering is safer that taking a bath, as tubs seen to harbor bacteria. The healthier your lifestyle the faster you will heal.

What is Normal
Bleeding, bruising, discoloration, and swelling are not uncommon. Some tenderness or discomfort (stinging, burning, aching) may occur for the first few days as well as some itchiness. Secretion of body fluid causes crust on the jewellery at the openings of the piercing. This is normal and a part of the healing process. This is blood plasma, lymph, dead cells as well as sebum ( a fluid from the oil glands). Tightness is normal; do not expect the jewellery to swing freely in most piercing even after fully healed.

What to Avoid
DO NOT PLAY WITH YOUR NEW PIERCING! Unless cleaning it, it should not be touched. Alcohol, peroxide, tea tree oil, and betadine should be avoided as they are very strong and may be over drying. No band-aids as they limit circulation and irritate the surrounding area. Avoid sleeping on it. Avoid pools, lakes, Jacuzzis as they can carry bacteria. Avoid activities that put undue stress on the piercing.

Navel
Wear low cut, or loose pants. Avoid belts that will rub against the piercing. Wear loose or high cut shirts to avoid irritation. Do not sleep on your stomach. Avoid very elaborate jewellery until piercing is fully healed.

Ear / Facial
Shield piercing from hair sprays, gels, lotions and make-up. Make sure pillow case are clean and changed frequently. Clean your telephone receiver with a disinfectant and avoid public phones.

Nipples
Sleep in cotton tank top or tee shirt, especially if you have pets that get on the bed. Women may find that sleeping with a bra or sports bra is more comfortable.

Genital
Sexual activity isn’t prohibited, it must be hygienic. Listen to your body. If something feels sore, it means you need to ease up or stop for the time being. Use condoms (without Nonoxyl 9) and dental dams for all sexual contact to prevent sharing body fluids. Use only water based lubricants such as KY jelly.