Piercing Aftercare for Body Piercings
CLEANING INSTRUCTIONS
Use one or both of the following solutions for healing piercings:
• Packaged sterile saline solution with no additives (read the label), or a non-iodized sea salt mixture: Dissolve 4 teaspoons of non-iodized (iodine-free) sea salt into one gallon of distilled water. A stronger mixture is not better and can irritate the piercing.
• A mild, fragrance-free liquid soap.
• WASH your hands thoroughly prior to cleaning or touching your piercing for any reason.
• SALINE soak for five to ten minutes once or more per day. Invert a cup of warm saline solution over the area to form a vacuum. For certain piercings it may be easier to apply using clean gauze or paper towels saturated with saline solution. A brief rinse afterward will remove any residue.
• SOAP no more than once or twice a day. Leave the cleanser on the piercing no more than thirty seconds.
• RINSE thoroughly to remove all traces of the soap from the piercing. It is not necessary to rotate the jewelry through the piercing.
• DRY by gently patting with clean, disposable paper products. Cloth towels can harbor bacteria and snag on jewelry, causing injury. DO NOT use cue tips to apply saline as they can leave loose cotton fibers trapped in the piercing. Instead use a twisted up corner of a gauze pad drenched in saline to clean in between tight spaces of the jewelry and around the piercing, These cleanings should be consistent for two weeks, at about two to three times per day.
WHAT IS NORMAL?
• Initially: some bleeding, localized swelling, tenderness, or bruising.
• During healing: some discoloration, itching, secretion of a whitish-yellow fluid (not pus) that will form some crust on the jewelry.
• Once healed: the jewelry may not move freely in the piercing; do not force it. If you fail to include cleaning your piercing as part of your daily hygiene routine, normal but smelly bodily secretions may accumulate.
• A piercing may seem healed before the healing process is complete. This is because tissue heals from the outside in, and although it feels fine, the interior remains fragile. Be patient, and keep cleaning throughout the entire healing period.
• 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 jewelry in-do not leave it empty.
WHAT TO DO
• Wash your hands prior to touching the piercing; leave it alone except when cleaning. During healing, it is not necessary to rotate your jewelry.
• Stay healthy; the healthier your lifestyle, the easier it will be for your piercing to heal. Get enough sleep and eat a nutritious diet. Exercise during healing is fine; listen to your body.
• Make sure your bedding is washed and changed regularly. Wear clean, comfortable, breathable clothing that protects your piercing while you are sleeping.
• Showers tend to be safer than taking baths, as bathtubs can harbor bacteria.
WHAT TO AVOID
• Avoid cleaning with Dial or other harsh soaps, as these can damage cells. Also avoid ointments as they prevent air circulation.
• Avoid products containing Benzalkonium Chloride (BZK). These can be irritating and are not intended for long term wound care.
• Avoid over-cleaning. This can delay your healing and irritate your piercing.
• Avoid undue trauma such as friction from clothing, excessive motion of the area, playing with the jewelry, and vigorous cleaning.
• Avoid all oral contact, rough play, and contact with others’ bodily fluids on or near your piercing during healing.
• Avoid submerging the piercing in unhygienic bodies of water such as lakes, pools, hot tubs, etc. Or, protect your piercing using a waterproof wound-sealant bandage. These are available at most drugstores.
• Avoid all beauty and personal care products on or around the piercing including cosmetics, lotions, and sprays, etc.
• Don’t hang charms or any object from your jewelry until the piercing is fully healed.
FOR PARTICULAR AREAS
EAR/EAR CARTILAGE AND FACIAL:
• Use the t-shirt trick: Dress your pillow in a large, clean t-shirt and turn it nightly; one clean t-shirt provides four clean surfaces for sleeping.
• Use caution when styling your hair and advise your stylist of a new or healing piercing.
NIPPLES:
• The support of a tight cotton shirt or sports bra may provide protection and feel comfortable, especially for sleeping.
GENITAL:
• Genital Piercings, especially Prince Alberts, Ampallangs, and Apadravyas, can bleed freely for the first few days. Be prepared.
• Urinate after using soap to clean any piercing that is near the urethra.
• 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.
• Use barriers such as condoms, dental dams, and waterproof bandages, etc. to avoid contact with your partners’ body fluids.
• Use a new container of water-based lubricant; do not use saliva.
• After sex, an additional saline soak or clean water rinse is suggested
Aftercare for Oral/Orofacial Piercings
CLEANING SOLUTIONS
Use one or both of the following solutions for inside the mouth:
• Antimicrobial or antibacterial alcohol-free mouth rinse such as Crest ProHealth.
• Packaged sterile saline solution with no additives (read the label) or non-iodized sea salt mixture: Dissolve 2 to 4 teaspoons of non-iodized (iodine free) sea salt into one gallon of distilled water. A stronger mixture is not better. Saline solution that is too strong can irritate your piercing. (If you have high blood pressure or a heart condition, please check with your doctor before using a saline product as your primary cleaning solution.)
NOTE: Do not make your own saline unless you are prepared to measure it exactly as instructed. If it is too much of a hassle, you will always find it labeled as a WOUND WASH in the first aid aisle at CVS and Walgreen’s.
CLEANING INSTRUCTIONS FOR INSIDE THE MOUTH
Rinse mouth with cleaning solution for 30 seconds after meals and at bedtime (4-5 times daily) during the entire healing period. Cleaning too often or with too strong a rinse can cause discoloration and irritation of your mouth and piercing.
CLEANING INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE EXTERIOR OF LABRET (CHEEK AND LIP) PIERCINGS
Soak in saline solution and/or wash in mild, fragrance-free liquid soap-preferably anti-microbial or germicidal.
• WASH your hands thoroughly prior to cleaning or touching your piercing for any reason.
• SALINE soak at least two to three times daily. Simply soak directly in a cup of warm saline solution for five to ten minutes. For certain placements it may be easier to apply using clean gauze saturated with saline solution. A brief rinse afterward will remove any residue.
• SOAP no more than once or twice a day. While showering, lather up a pearl size drop of the soap to clean the jewelry and the piercing. Leave the cleanser on the piercing no more than thirty seconds.
• RINSE thoroughly to remove all traces of the soap from the piercing. It is not necessary to rotate the jewelry through the piercing.
• DRY by gently patting with clean, disposable paper products. Cloth towels can harbor bacteria and snag on jewelry, causing injury. You may use a cue tip to clean in between tight spaces of the jewelry and around the piercing, but you must make sure that it is finely doused or saturated with saline, so that no loose fibers get caught in the piercing. These cleanings should be consistent for two weeks, at about two to three times per day.
WHAT IS NORMAL?
• For the first three to five days: significant swelling, light bleeding, bruising, and/or tenderness.
• After that: Some swelling, light secretion of a whitish yellow fluid (not pus).
• A piercing may seem healed before the healing process is complete. This is because they heal from the outside in, and although it feels fine, the tissue remains fragile on the inside. Be patient, and keep cleaning throughout the entire healing period.
WHAT TO DO TO HELP REDUCE SWELLING:
• Allow small pieces of ice to dissolve in the mouth.
• Take an over the counter, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory such as ibuprofen or naproxen sodium according to package instructions.
• Don’t speak or move your jewelry more than necessary.
• Sleep with your head elevated above your heart during the first few nights.
TO MAINTAIN GOOD ORAL HYGIENE:
• Use a new soft-bristled toothbrush and store it in a clean area away from other toothbrushes.
• Brush your teeth and use your chosen rinse (saline or non-alcoholic mouthwash) after every meal.
• During healing floss daily, and gently brush your teeth, tongue and jewelry. Once healed, brush the jewelry more thoroughly to avoid plaque build up.
ORAL PIERCING HINTS AND TIPS
JEWELRY:
• Once the swelling has subsided, it is vital to replace the original, longer jewelry with a shorter post to avoid intra-oral damage.
• Because this necessary jewelry change often occurs during healing, it should be done by a qualified piercer.
• Be sure to regularly check threaded ends on your jewelry for tightness (“Righty-tighty, lefty-loosey.”)
• Carry a clean spare ball in case of loss or breakage.
EATING:
• Slowly eat small bites of food placed directly onto your molars.
• Avoid eating spicy, salty, acidic, or hot temperature foods or beverages for a few days.
• Cold foods and beverages are soothing and help reduce swelling.
WHAT TO AVOID:
• Do not play with your jewelry. Long term effects include permanent damage to teeth, gums, and other oral structures.
• Avoid using mouthwash containing alcohol. It can irritate the piercing and delay healing.
• Avoid oral sexual contact including French (wet) kissing or oral sex during healing (even with a long-term partner).
• Avoid chewing on tobacco, gum, fingernails, pencils, sunglasses, and other foreign objects that could harbor bacteria.
• Avoid sharing plates, cups, and eating utensils.
• Avoid smoking! It increases risks and lengthens healing time.
• Avoid submerging healing piercings in bodies of water such as lakes, pools, etc