Piercing Aftercare

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Suggested Body Piercing Aftercare

Use the following solution for healing piercings:

• Packaged STERILE SALINE solution with no additives (read the label)

Contact lens saline, eye drops, and other saline products should never be used on a body piercing. Your saline ingredients should list .09% sodium chloride as the only ingredient. Mixing your own sea salt solution will commonly result in the product being far too salty and strong, this can over dry the piercing and interfere with healing, therefore we do not recommend this.

CLEANING INSTRUCTIONS FOR BODY PIERCINGS

• WASH your hands thoroughly prior to cleaning or touching your piercing for any reason.

• SALINE rinse 2 -3 times per day, soak your entire piercing. For certain piercings it may be easier to apply using clean non-woven gauze or cotton swabs saturated with saline solution. A brief rinse afterward will remove any residue.

It is not necessary to rotate the jewelry through the piercing.

• DRY by gently patting with clean, disposable paper products. Cloth towels can harbour bacteria and snag on jewelry, causing injury.

WHAT IS NORMAL?

• Initially: some bleeding, localized swelling, tenderness, or bruising.

• During healing: some discolouration, itching, secretion of a whitish-yellow fluid (not pus) that will form some crust on the jewelry. The tissue may tighten around the jewelry as it heals.

• 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.

WHAT TO AVOID

• Avoid cleaning with Betadine®, Hibiciens®, alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, Dial® or other harsh soaps, as these can damage cells. Also avoid ointments as they prevent necessary air circulation.

• Avoid Bactine®, pierced ear care solutions and other 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. These activities can cause the formation of unsightly and uncomfortable scar tissue, migration, prolonged healing, and other complications.

• 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 (such as 3M™ Nexcare™ Clean Seals). 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.

HINTS AND TIPS

• Contact your piercer if your jewelry must be removed (such as for a medical procedure). There are non-metallic jewelry alternatives available.

• Leave jewelry in at all times. Even old or well-healed piercing can shrink or close in minutes even after having been there for years. If removed, re-insertion can be difficult or impossible.

• With clean hands or paper product, 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.

• Should you decide you no longer want the piercing, simply remove the jewelry (or have a professional piercer remove it) and continue cleaning the piercing until the hole closes. In most cases only a small mark will remain.

* DISCLAIMER *

These guidelines are based on a combination of vast professional experience, common sense, research and extensive clinical practice. This is not to be considered a substitute for medical advice from a doctor. If you suspect an infection, seek medical attention. Be aware that many doctors have not received specific training regarding piercing. Your local piercer may be able to refer you to a piercing-friendly medical professional.

(Credit: Association of Professional Piercers)

Contact your piercer if you have any questions or concerns:

Amus Beasto @ Proper Poke Piercing and Tattoo

1810 Government Street, Victoria, BC

call: 778-440-1669

email: info@properpoke.com

SUGGESTED AFTERCARE FOR ORAL PIERCINGS

Use one or both of the following solutions for inside the mouth:

Antimicrobial or antibacterial alcohol-free mouth rinse.

Packaged sterile saline solution with no additives, (read the label).

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 discolouration and irritation of your mouth and piercing.

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.

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 the hole

empty.

WHAT TO DO TO HELP REDUCE SWELLING:

Allow small pieces of ice to dissolve in the mouth.

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 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.

TO STAY HEALTHY:

The healthier your lifestyle, the easier it will be for your piercing to heal.

Get enough sleep and eat a nutritious diet.

Avoid emotional stress, which can increase healing times by up to 40%.

ORAL PIERCING HINTS AND TIPS:

Once the swelling has subsided, it is vital to replace the original, longer jewelry with a shorter post to avoid intra-oral damage.

Consult your piercer for their downsize policy.

Because this necessary jewelry change often occurs during healing, it should be done by a qualified piercer.

With clean hands or paper product, 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.

Contact your piercer for a non-metallic jewelry alternative if your metal jewelry must be temporarily removed (such as for a medical procedure).

Should you decide you no longer want the piercing, simply remove the jewelry (or have a professional piercer remove it) and continue cleaning the piercing until the hole closes. In most cases only a small mark will remain.

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.

Foods like mashed potatoes and oatmeal are hard to eat because they stick to your mouth and

jewelry.

For tongue piercing, try to keep your tongue level in your mouth as you eat because the jewelry

can get between your teeth when your tongue turns.

Each body is unique and healing times vary considerably. If you have any questions, please

contact your piercer.

WHAT TO AVOID

Do not play with your jewelry. Long term effects include permanent damage to teeth, gums, and

other oral structures.

Avoid undue trauma; excessive talking or playing with the jewelry during healing can cause the

formation of unsightly and uncomfortable scar tissue, migration, and other complications.

Avoid using mouthwash containing alcohol. It can irritate the piercing and delay healing.

Avoid oral sexual contact including 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 harbour bacteria.

Avoid sharing plates, cups, and eating utensils.

Avoid smoking! It increases risks and lengthens healing time.

Avoid aspirin, alcohol, and large amounts of caffeine as long as you are experiencing bleeding

or swelling.

Avoid submerging healing piercings in bodies of water such as lakes, pools, etc.