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Piercing Aftercare
A normal piercing:
- May be tender, itchy, and slightly red or bruised for a few weeks.
- May bleed a little for the first few days.
- May secrete a whitish-yellow fluid (plasma) which crusts on the jewellery, this is not pus.
- May tighten around the jewellery as it heals, making turning somewhat difficult.
Looking after the piercing:
NEVER use surgical spirit, hydrogen peroxide, essential oils or ANY liquid, cream or spray antiseptic product for cleaning the piercing.
Piercings above the neck:
It is important to keep the piercing site clean and dry and undisturbed. Clean the piercing no more than is necessary to maintain cleanliness. Frequent cleaning my damage the delicate skin cells. Twice daily cleaning is recommended. Leave your piercing alone when you are not cleaning it. Do not fiddle with it.
- Sea salt soaks (1/4 teaspoon of sea salt in 200ml of warm water) can help promote healing. However salt water is not antibacterial and not usually effective for general cleaning. Salt water should always be rinsed away after use with plenty of warm water.
- Always wash hands well and dry thoroughly with a clean towel first.
- Use a piece of wool dipped in your aftercare solution to soak off any crusted matter. Do not pick.
- Once this matter has been removed, clean the piercing and jewellery thoroughly with your aftercare solution using a cotton wool bud. Do not remove jewellery.
- Whilst the jewellery is wet with the aftercare solution, turn it to clean the inside of the piercing. If it does not move easily do not force it.
- Finally dab the area with a clean tissue to remove any excess cleaning solution.
Genital Piercings:
Genital piercees (male/female) can use a panty liner to absorb excess moisture and cushion the piercing. Avoid restrictive clothing or clothing that limits oxygen to the area. Any sexual contact should be gentle and latex barriers should be used to protect the piercing from partner’s body fluids.
Tongue Piercings:
- With an oral piercing, after eating, smoking or putting anything in the mouth rinse with antibacterial (alcohol free) mouthwash at a dilution of 50% - 75%, or sea salt water made with ¼ teaspoon of sea salt in 200ml of boiling water, allowed to cool. NEVER USE mouthwash containing alcohol or table salt for any reason.
- A yellow secretion will be produced by the piercing and indicates normal healing.
- Remove this secretion with a cotton bud.
- Swelling can be reduced by sleeping with the head propped up with pillows when asleep.
- Suck on small ice cubes.
- Buy a new toothbrush and gently brush your tongue and jewellery to remove plaque.
- Check the balls on the bar daily to ensure that they are screwed on tightly.
- When eating go slowly and take small bites. Try to keep the tongue level to avoid biting jewellery. Cut up your food into small pieces and place directly into the back teeth.
- In bad cases the ball ends may become embedded in the tongue and will have to be removed. The barbell should remain loose for a week or so although it may look a little strange and needs to be replaced by a shorter barbell when the piercing is healed. Only then will the visual appearance be correct.
As well as following the advice above there are several things which we recommend that you DO NOT DO:
- No oral sexual contact during the entire healing period.
- Avoid chewing fingernails, gum, pens, sunglasses etc. during the healing. Don’t share cups or cutlery.
- Smoking will slow the healing, so try and cut down or, better still, stop.
- Avoid alcohol, aspirin, and caffeine until initial swelling has reduced. Hot drinks, spicy foods and acidic foods can also increase discomfort and swelling.
- Do not play with the piercing excessively even after healing. Remember metal is harder then teeth. Do not click it against your teeth or twist it in your mouth. The reasons for this are to prevent formation of unsightly lumps of scar tissue and granulomas, to prevent migration (movement) of jewellery and to prevent breaking teeth, swallowing jewellery or more dangerously inhaling jewellery.
Piercings below the neck:
- The new piercing should be cleaned TWICE daily. Too little cleaning can cause an infection to develop and to much cleaning can cause irritation of the newly forming tissue. Leave your piercing alone when you are not cleaning it. Do not fiddle with it.
- Hot soaks and compresses, with the optional addition of a teaspoon of sea salt per cup of clean water are strongly suggested for navel piercings. Salt water should be rinsed away with plenty of warm water afterwards.
First wash your hands. Soak the piercing with warm water to soften any crusted matter, do not pick. This can be done by either placing the piercing under running water or by inverting a cup of water over the piercing. The crusted matter can then be removed with a cotton bud.
- Next apply a small amount of antibacterial soap to the piercing and jewellery. Rub the soap in to form a lather and ensure the whole area is cleaned.
- Whilst the jewellery is wet with the soapy water turn it to clean the inside of the piercing. If it does not move easily do not force it. Finally rinse the piercing well with clean water to remove any remaining cleaning product, and dry thoroughly with a clean tissue.
- Do not remove the jewellery during cleaning, and wait at least 3 months before changing it.
- NEVER allow oral contact with the fresh piercing.
- Avoid wearing belts, tight trousers or restrictive clothing for about 6 months – 1 year.
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FAQ 
