Upon leaving any studio, your piercer is not responsible for any infection or problems you may have with your piercing if you don't take proper care of it.
It is very important that you follow these initial guidelines and state that these are guidelines based on experience and research. We would advise that any person getting a piercing should go on-line researching the various recommendations dealing with after-care due to the variety of skin types, medical conditions, social and working environments that are relevant to you as an individual.
As we are all individuals healing at different rates and under different conditions and environments we suggest that you take a look at some of the reference material to work out the best aftercare regime for your piercing.
We will, as always, have a talk with you when you are in the studio on your piercing and aftercare, however we would advise that you take a look at our, and the sites below, aftercare material and work out the best aftercare that suits you as an individual, and the type of piercing you have.
Below is a list of links to excellent reference source material with valuable information on how to care for your piercings.
A.P.P. Aftercare : https://www.safepiercing.org/aftercare.php
NHS : https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/body-piercing/
BBPA : www.bbpa.org.uk/aftercare-for-a-body-piercing/
Painfulpleasures : https://info.painfulpleasures.com/help-center/information-center/ear-piercing-aftercare
BlueBannana : https://www.bluebanana.com/en/article/21533/piercing-aftercare-advice
Platinum Ink : https://www.platinumink.net/piercings/piercings-aftercare-instructions/
As with all piercings advise that you do some research to ensure you know what is happening throughout the various "stages" of the healing process. Also how to prevent and deal with any issues. Only you will know best what's for you personally.
A new piercing is effectively two open wounds connected by a wound under the skin, on which infections can easily develop. It is an absolute must that dirty fingers/clothing (especially clothing that is tight) are kept well away from a new piercing.
Do not, under any circumstances, touch or play with your piercing or jewellery as this WILL cause infection.
DO NOT turn the jewellery to keep the "hole open", it cannot close while there is jewellery in it.
Also, please be aware that hair can be a problem as it holds both oil and dirt. MOBILE PHONES are FILTHY !!! should you bring your phone into the bathroom it will be contaminated by your own waste, never have your phone near an unhealed piercing or touch your phone then the unhealed area !
By following these basic steps, which are set out below, you should not encounter any problems. If you choose not to follow the necessary precautions you are putting yourself at risk from infections.
Cleaning solutions...
Before using any product for the first time, perform a patch test to check for any allergies to the product.
Natural, fragrance free soap..... or an Antibacterial Solution (e.g. Dettol, Savlon, TCP etc.)... (Follow instructions on bottle for wound wash.. but make your solution weaker and mix with distilled water, if none available filtered water)......
Antibacterial wound spray & Pre-packaged Saline solution (avoid any containing Betadine, Hibicens, Hydrogen-peroxide)*......
Home-made Salt solution (1/8-1/4tsp rock salt or sea salt per 250ml filtered/distilled water)
*Avoid any cleaning products containing Hydrogen peroxide(This contains a bleach, long term use can lead to dermatitis), rubbing alcohol or any cleaning ointments(all piercings need to breathe!)
Cleaning process...
WASH HANDS BEFORE GOING NEAR YOUR PIERCING!
Generally it is best to clean your piercing before you go to bed & when you wake up ( no-one is looking after your piercing while you are asleep! )
Using a fresh cotton bud dip it into your antibacterial solution/soap.
Clean the skin around your piercing front and back to remove “excess crust”. It is not necessary to remove all the crust, just the excess to allow the jewellery to move freely.
When the jewellery is moving free, don't be afraid to move the jewellery forward to clean the bar/ring and back to clean the bar/ring. This ensures you are not just cleaning the wound but the jewellery as well.
Pat the wound dry with a clean bit of kitchen roll or a similar single-use disposable product.
Using a new cotton bud it dip into your saline/salt solution.
Once again clean the wound front & back , allow the solution to soak into the wound for 30seconds- 1minute.
Pat the wound dry with clean kitchen roll or similar.
At this point dip a fresh cotton bud into your antibacterial solution again (not soap as you don't want to leave any soap residue on the piercing).
This time remove any excess moisture from the cotton bud by dabbing it on a piece of clean kitchen roll and give the piercing one last wipe over.
This provides a layer of protection while you skin reforms its own protective oils.
Maintain the cleanliness of the area by rinsing with a saline solution, as and when required.
Generally, the use of a daily Zinc supplement will speed up the healing process.
Both Nipple and Navel piercings will have a dressing covering the piercing that should stay on for approximately 24 hours, thus giving the piercing time to settle. For Nipple piercings:A fitted cotton shirt and a sports bra will provide your new piercing protection & support while remaining comfortable. Wash bras & t-shirts regularly.
Alternatively instead of wearing a sports bra you can wear a comfortable supportive bra, place clean kitchen roll instead the bra over the piercing, this provides a breathable barrier that will soak up any sweat that runs down to the area & can be easily changed and replaced throughout the day. Further dressings should be applied at night. When sleeping at night, the best method of protection is to wear cotton t-shirts.
It is also in your best interests to shower, not bathe, as this is more hygienic. Clean the piercing with the aforementioned solution, then each evening recover the piercing with a new dressing. Repeat this process for approximately 4-5 nights, by which time the piercing will start to settle.
For Nose piercings: We suggest a small dressing is placed over the nostril stud at night in order to prevent if from being disturbed.
For Oral Piercings: Cleaning solutions...
Anti-bacterial, alcohol free mouthwash. (dilute 2/3 distilled/filtered water – 1/3mouthwash)
Saline solution (1/8-1/4tsp rock salt or sea salt per 250ml filtered/distilled water
Cleaning process…
For a labret piercing take take of the outside as stated in general piercing after care..
For the inside of a labret piercing and all other piercing inside the mouth...
Rinse mouth with mouthwash solution/saline solution after every meal.
Also do this when you wake up and before you go to bed.
Maintain good oral hygiene..
Get a new soft bristled Toothbrush & store it in a clean space away from all other brushes. (This avoids cross-contamination with other brushes). During healing floss, brush teeth, tongue & gently brush the jewellery as well (particularly important for smokers as tar will stick to the jewellery. Once the piercing is healed it is important that you continue the clean the jewellery to avoid plague build up.
Open mouth kissing must be avoided for a minimum of 4weeks. No oral sex can be given for a minimum of 2months.
Salty, spicy foods, sauces, vinegar and alcohol must be avoided for 4 weeks.
For Genital Piercings: Cotton underwear should be worn during the healing period, with the piercing being kept as dry as possible, except when cleaning. Use condoms to protect the piercing from bacteria, germs and viruses during intercourse.
For All Piercings : Swimming in chlorinated pools or the sea should be avoided until piercings are well healed.
Healing Times Approximation.
The list below shows approximate times for various piercing to be FULLY healed, consult your piercer for the best approximation for your specific piercing as depending on the particular style and jewellery used.
( Helix / Rook / Daith / Tragus 3 months minimum
Industrial / Scaffold / Cage up to 12 months )
Ear Lobe - Standard Piercing : 8-12 Weeks
Ear Lobe - Cartlidge Piercing : 3 months - 12 months
Eyebrow : 2 - 4 months
Nose : 3 months - 1 Year *** (We do not use a "Gun System" for nose piercings)
Tongue : 6 - 8 months
Navel : 6 - 12 months
Cheek Lip : 2 - 4 months
Nipple : 2 - 6 months
Intimate piercings : * weeks - 12 months ***(depends on the piercing and jewellery used)
If excessive redness, swelling, bleeding, changes of colour in tissue or soreness persists, DO NOT remove jewellery unless necessary, this prevents the wound from "sealing" and will allow it to "drain" helping the piercing heal.
If you are in anyway uncertain about the healing of your piercing, it is strongly recommended that you re-visit your piercer as soon as possible.
In extremely rare cases, if your piercing is causing you immense pain and discomfort and your piercer is unavailable, then you will need to visit your local health professional
A new piercing is effectively two open wounds connected by a wound under the skin, on which infections can easily develop. It is an absolute must that dirty fingers/clothing (especially clothing that is tight) are kept well away from a new piercing.
Do not, under any circumstances, touch or play with your piercing or jewellery as this WILL cause infection.
DO NOT turn the jewellery to keep the "hole open", it cannot close while there is jewellery in it.
Also, please be aware that hair can be a problem as it holds both oil and dirt. MOBILE PHONES are FILTHY !!! should you bring your phone into the bathroom it will be contaminated by your own waste, never have your phone near an unhealed piercing or touch your phone then the unhealed area !
By following these basic steps, which are set out below, you should not encounter any problems. If you choose not to follow the necessary precautions you are putting yourself at risk from infections.
Cleaning solutions...
Before using any product for the first time, perform a patch test to check for any allergies to the product.
Natural, fragrance free soap..... or an Antibacterial Solution (e.g. Dettol, Savlon, TCP etc.)... (Follow instructions on bottle for wound wash.. but make your solution weaker and mix with distilled water, if none available filtered water)......
Antibacterial wound spray & Pre-packaged Saline solution (avoid any containing Betadine, Hibicens, Hydrogen-peroxide)*......
Home-made Salt solution (1/8-1/4tsp rock salt or sea salt per 250ml filtered/distilled water)
*Avoid any cleaning products containing Hydrogen peroxide(This contains a bleach, long term use can lead to dermatitis), rubbing alcohol or any cleaning ointments(all piercings need to breathe!)
Cleaning process...
WASH HANDS BEFORE GOING NEAR YOUR PIERCING!
Generally it is best to clean your piercing before you go to bed & when you wake up ( no-one is looking after your piercing while you are asleep! )
Using a fresh cotton bud dip it into your antibacterial solution/soap.
Clean the skin around your piercing front and back to remove “excess crust”. It is not necessary to remove all the crust, just the excess to allow the jewellery to move freely.
When the jewellery is moving free, don't be afraid to move the jewellery forward to clean the bar/ring and back to clean the bar/ring. This ensures you are not just cleaning the wound but the jewellery as well.
Pat the wound dry with a clean bit of kitchen roll or a similar single-use disposable product.
Using a new cotton bud it dip into your saline/salt solution.
Once again clean the wound front & back , allow the solution to soak into the wound for 30seconds- 1minute.
Pat the wound dry with clean kitchen roll or similar.
At this point dip a fresh cotton bud into your antibacterial solution again (not soap as you don't want to leave any soap residue on the piercing).
This time remove any excess moisture from the cotton bud by dabbing it on a piece of clean kitchen roll and give the piercing one last wipe over.
This provides a layer of protection while you skin reforms its own protective oils.
Maintain the cleanliness of the area by rinsing with a saline solution, as and when required.
Generally, the use of a daily Zinc supplement will speed up the healing process.
Both Nipple and Navel piercings will have a dressing covering the piercing that should stay on for approximately 24 hours, thus giving the piercing time to settle. For Nipple piercings:A fitted cotton shirt and a sports bra will provide your new piercing protection & support while remaining comfortable. Wash bras & t-shirts regularly.
Alternatively instead of wearing a sports bra you can wear a comfortable supportive bra, place clean kitchen roll instead the bra over the piercing, this provides a breathable barrier that will soak up any sweat that runs down to the area & can be easily changed and replaced throughout the day. Further dressings should be applied at night. When sleeping at night, the best method of protection is to wear cotton t-shirts.
It is also in your best interests to shower, not bathe, as this is more hygienic. Clean the piercing with the aforementioned solution, then each evening recover the piercing with a new dressing. Repeat this process for approximately 4-5 nights, by which time the piercing will start to settle.
For Nose piercings: We suggest a small dressing is placed over the nostril stud at night in order to prevent if from being disturbed.
For Oral Piercings: Cleaning solutions...
Anti-bacterial, alcohol free mouthwash. (dilute 2/3 distilled/filtered water – 1/3mouthwash)
Saline solution (1/8-1/4tsp rock salt or sea salt per 250ml filtered/distilled water
Cleaning process…
For a labret piercing take take of the outside as stated in general piercing after care..
For the inside of a labret piercing and all other piercing inside the mouth...
Rinse mouth with mouthwash solution/saline solution after every meal.
Also do this when you wake up and before you go to bed.
Maintain good oral hygiene..
Get a new soft bristled Toothbrush & store it in a clean space away from all other brushes. (This avoids cross-contamination with other brushes). During healing floss, brush teeth, tongue & gently brush the jewellery as well (particularly important for smokers as tar will stick to the jewellery. Once the piercing is healed it is important that you continue the clean the jewellery to avoid plague build up.
Open mouth kissing must be avoided for a minimum of 4weeks. No oral sex can be given for a minimum of 2months.
Salty, spicy foods, sauces, vinegar and alcohol must be avoided for 4 weeks.
For Genital Piercings: Cotton underwear should be worn during the healing period, with the piercing being kept as dry as possible, except when cleaning. Use condoms to protect the piercing from bacteria, germs and viruses during intercourse.
For All Piercings : Swimming in chlorinated pools or the sea should be avoided until piercings are well healed.
Healing Times Approximation.
The list below shows approximate times for various piercing to be FULLY healed, consult your piercer for the best approximation for your specific piercing as depending on the particular style and jewellery used.
( Helix / Rook / Daith / Tragus 3 months minimum
Industrial / Scaffold / Cage up to 12 months )
Ear Lobe - Standard Piercing : 8-12 Weeks
Ear Lobe - Cartlidge Piercing : 3 months - 12 months
Eyebrow : 2 - 4 months
Nose : 3 months - 1 Year *** (We do not use a "Gun System" for nose piercings)
Tongue : 6 - 8 months
Navel : 6 - 12 months
Cheek Lip : 2 - 4 months
Nipple : 2 - 6 months
Intimate piercings : * weeks - 12 months ***(depends on the piercing and jewellery used)
If excessive redness, swelling, bleeding, changes of colour in tissue or soreness persists, DO NOT remove jewellery unless necessary, this prevents the wound from "sealing" and will allow it to "drain" helping the piercing heal.
If you are in anyway uncertain about the healing of your piercing, it is strongly recommended that you re-visit your piercer as soon as possible.
In extremely rare cases, if your piercing is causing you immense pain and discomfort and your piercer is unavailable, then you will need to visit your local health professional