PIERCING AFTERCARE

Vitamins and minerals particularly Vitamin C and Zinc help the body regenerate tissue and fight off infection. For the fastest, easiest healing you should eat well, get plenty of rest and avoid alcohol, caffeine, nicotine and other drugs.

For ears, nostrils, septum, navel, nipples, eyebrows, lips and genital piercings: We recommend you clean them with a liquid antibacterial soap (such as Soft Soap, Suave etc.) and warm water at least twice a day and no more than four times a day Do not use lotions and other ointments on your piercings (including make-up etc). This will keep the piercing moist and not allow it to heal and possibly cause you problems. Do not use alcohol or peroxide to clean your piercings this will dry them out and cause problems.

We recommend the use of sea salt solution to assist with healing, 1/4 teaspoon organic sea salt to 16-20 ounces of water. Soak the area at least once a day for 10 – 15 minutes. If you are making the solution yourself keep solution in the refrigerator and do not keep it for more than 7 days. After 7 days dispose of it and make a fresh batch. We also offer a superior sterile product called H2Ocean this product is highly recommended.

For tongue, lips and cheek piercings: We recommend rinsing your mouth with a Listerine® solution (half Listerine® and half water) after eating, drinking or smoking for the first 10-15 days. Carbamide Peroxide (active ingredient in Gly-Oxide and Peroxyl) is often the cleansing agent suggested for use in oral piercings. You can also use Sea Salt solution as described above as an oral rinse. With tongue piercings there is a possibility of swelling (the reason for the longer barbell) after the swelling has gone down it is recommended that you down size the barbell to one that is comfortable for you after a 2-4 week period. It is important to check the barbell daily to ensure that the beads are tightly secured.

If you are able to take any anti-inflamatory medications (Tylenol®, Motrin®, etc.) prior to being pierced you may take them for swelling or discomfort after you have been pierced.

Oral contact with fresh piercings or handling with unclean hands can cause infections or the transmission of diseases and should be avoided. Genital contact with oral piercings and oral contact with genital piercings is not recommended until completely healed to prevent the possibility of infection or the transmission of disease.

It is important to note that your piercer is neither a medical professional nor an "AFTERCARE POLICE OFFICER". The PIERCEE is responsible for caring for a new piercing using the awareness of there own body and the information provided by the piercer.

1. Never handle a new piercing with dirty hands!! Wash hands and fingertips well.
   
   
2. Avoid any introduction of foreign fluid to the pierced area (sweat, blood saliva, etc.)
   
   
3. Do not harass the piercings healing process by wearing constrictive clothing or allowing repeated bumping and knocking around of the jewelry.
   
   
4. Use caution when swimming during healing, poor water quality and high bacteria presence will infect your new piercing. Some people will run Vaseline or Bacitracin liberally through the hole prior to swimming to seal off the exposed tissue temporarily. In this case clean immediately after swimming and do a sea salt soak. We recommend staying out of pools, hot tubs, lakes and the ocean until completely healed
   
   
5. Listen to your body's reactions to various products. Some ingredients commonly found in skincare products can irritate the vulnerable tissue in new piercings. Eliminating variable product exposure will often solve occasional irritation.
   
   
6. ALL new piercings will secrete a gooey, sticky fluid called lymph. This will dry up and form a ring of crust on the jewelry at the piercings holes making moving the jewelry painful. Soaking and cleaning the lymph Daily As Needed is necessary to avoid any problem with bacteria populations.
   
   
7. DO NOT remove the jewelry until well after the piercing is completely healed.
   
   
8. Once healed, a piercing is permanent, although when the jewelry is removed, the displacement will cause the hole to shrink making jewelry re-insertion difficult without first gently stretching the hole back up to size.
   
   
9. New piercings heal the best when aftercare products do not interfere with the cell regeneration process. Products like ALCOHOL and PEROXIDE are not recommended as they often harass the newly healing cells. Salt water is by far the least-reactive and most effective aftercare. Prior to using any of the above mentioned consult your piercing professional on advice on how to properly use these products. No product is universally good for all types of skin, except salt water.
   
   
10. If an irritation persists despite eliminating product types, a metal allergy may be the culprit. Try changing the jewelry with the help of a piercing professional.
    
    
11. Your overall health and how you care for your piercing play a large part in the healing process. If you have any questions or concerns please call your artist at