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Piercing Aftercare

Cleaning Instructions

Clean your piercing until it is fully healed, which can take several months depending on your piercing and your own body.

Apply sterile saline to a clean paper towel or non-woven sterile gauze, and use it as a gentle compress for 5 minutes morning and evening.

Do this no more than twice a day.

Moisture can cause irritation. Dry well afterward using a clean paper towel or using the cold setting on a hairdryer.

Piercing Aftercare Precautions

Be careful not to aggravate your new piercing. This includes washing and styling your hair, putting on or removing clothing, and sleeping on your fresh piercing.

When you shower, make sure all soaps or shampoos are clear of the area.

Expect build-up of dried matter on the piercing, use warm water on a paper towel (or a warm, gentle shower setting) to reduce the matter.

Be careful when doing any strenuous exercise when healing a fresh body piercing, and we suggest avoiding wearing tight clothing.

Do not remove your jewelry during its healing time as it will begin to close immediately.

We suggest you avoid swimming in chlorinated pool water or freshwater lakes during the healing process. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Maria Tash.

Piercing Aftercare Tips

Do not turn or rotate your jewelry.

Wash your hands thoroughly when cleaning your piercing. A piercing is an open wound, so dirty hands or fingernails can transfer bacteria.

Do not clean your piercing with chemicals such as alcohol, Neosporin, or bactine as these products are not designed for piercings.

Do not pull or pick the dried matter as it is attached to the healing tissue.

Try to avoid sleeping on the piercing.

Use a travel pillow to suspend ear in the middle of the hole while you sleep.

Piercing Healing Times

To explore further aftercare tips by piercing location, please click on a piercing location on the chart

EAR PIERCINGAVERAGE HEALING TIMES
Lobe 2-4 Months
Low Helix 4-6 Months
Helix 6-12 Months
Tash Rook 6-12 Months
Forward Helix 6-12 Months
Daith 9-12 Months
Conch 6-12 Months
Tragus 6-12 Months
Antitragus 9-12 Months
Industrial 9-12 Months
Orbital 6-12 Months
Facial and nose piercingAVERAGE HEALING TIMES
Nostril 6-12 Months
Septum 4-6 Months
Lip/Oral 4-6 Months
BODY PIERCINGAVERAGE HEALING TIMES
Navel 9-12 Months
Nipple 9-12 Months
Dermal 4-6 Months
Genital 4-6 Months

The Stages of a Healing Piercing

To better understand the stages of piercing, we have provided an overview.

Just Pierced - At the beginning of your healing, your piercing will feel tender and will appear swollen. You may experience occasional discomfort which is normal. Be extra cautious during this stage of the healing process.

Healing - Once the initial discomfort has settled, your piercing will begin the full phase of healing. Piercings heal from the inside out which is why it takes some time to heal and requires extra patience. Please refer to our charts above to understand the average length of the healing process for your new piercing.

During this phase, you should still be careful with your piercing and continue your aftercare. You may still experience occasional discharge and tenderness.

Healed - A piercing is safely considered healed once you have passed the length of your healing time, the discharge you’ve been cleaning off for several months completely ends and the jewelry feels natural without any discomfort.

Aftercare Tips By Piercing Location

Lobes and Helix

  • Avoid makeup and hair products.
  • Use a travel pillow to suspend ear in the middle of the hole while you sleep.
  • Use gentle pressure from showerhead to help clear debris.

Navel

  • Avoid tight clothing/waistbands resting on the piercing.
  • Showering is preferable to bathing for the first few weeks.
  • Avoid body creams, moisturizers and perfumes directly on piercing.
  • Ensure clothing does not rub on piercing. Ex. high waisted pants or jeans.

Advanced Ear Piercings

Tash Rook, Forward Helix, Daith, Conch, Tragus, Antitragus, Industrial, Orbital

  • Avoid headphones if they put any pressure on the piercing.
  • Avoid makeup and hair products.
  • Use a travel pillow to sleep.
  • Use the showerhead to help clear debris.

Nipple

  • No moisturizers, body creams directly on piercing.
  • Avoid exposure to other bodily fluids.
  • Ensure clothing that is in contact with the piercing is clean.
  • Avoid tight clothing, lace bras, and woven fabrics.

Nostril

  • Avoid any harsh face wash.
  • Avoid makeups, creams, and serums directly on the piercing.
  • If you have a cold or allergies, be gentle when blowing your nose.

Dermal/Surface

  • No moisturizers, body creams or perfumes.
  • Avoid exposure to other bodily fluids.
  • Be mindful of straps and handles on bags.
  • Do not wear jewelry that sits over the piercing.

Septum

  • Avoid any nasal sprays that aren’t saline.
  • Do not rotate the jewelry. Use warm water on a clean paper towel to remove buildup.

Genital

  • No creams or lubricants.
  • No heavy play.

Lip/Oral

  • Be mindful of spicy foods, acidic fruits, and alcohol.
  • Avoid makeups and creams directly on piercing.