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PIERCING AFTERCARE

Guide lines for new piercings

• Wash your hands prior to contact on or near the area of the piercing

• Leave the piercing alone except when you are cleaning it. It is not necessary or advisable to rotate the ring while healing except during cleanings

• Leave the original jewelry in during the entire minimum initial healing time(Assuming your initial jewelry is appropriate in terms of metal content, style, and size). Inappropriate jewelry should be changed out by a professional. those with captive  style rings or barbells (straight, bent, or circular) can change the bead/ball portion of the jewelry at any time

• Check all new jewelry twice daily with clean hands to make sure the balls are screwed on tight on all threaded jewelry. both balls turn to the right

• If you like your piercing leave the jewelry in at all times. Even old, well-healed piercings can shrink or close in minutes after having been there for years! This varies from person to person, even if your ear lobe piercing stays open with out jewelry your body piercings may not!  contact your piercer if you're jewelry must be removed temporarily (such as for a medical procedure).  monofilament nylon (clean and unused fishing line) or another inert non-metallic substance(such as PTFE or Tygone) may be used but not as a permanent replacement

• Make sure your bedding is clean and changed frequently while you are healing. especially if your pets get into your bed

• Wear clean, comfortable, breathable fabric clothing in the area of the piercing

• A multi-vitamin mineral supplement  containing zinc and vitamin-c may boost your body's healing abilities.  Take with your morning meal according to package instructions.

• Get enough sleep, eat a nutritious diet, avoid undue stress, recreational drugs, and alcohol consumption.  The healthier your life style, the faster you will heal.

• Showering is safer than taking a bath, as bath tubs can harbor bacteria.  Make sure your bath tub has been cleaned before you get in.  Rinse the tub out with clean water before you get in.  Be sure to do a running rinse on your piercing with clean water when you are done.

• Most infections are the result of in appropriate after-care.  Make sure your hands are clean before cleaning your piercing, and remove all dry matter from the jewelry before rotating, so as to not pull this matter into the piercing.  This will cause an infection.

• In the event of an infection, please seek advise from your piercer.  We will evaluate the piercing, and let you know what to do, or seek a physician for an antibiotic treatment.  If you do have an infection, the jewelry should be left in the piercing to allow for drainage.  If the jewelry is removed, the holes will close up, resulting in an abscess.  Leave your jewelry in.  Don't be afraid to ask for advise from your piercer.  Don't be afraid to stop by repeatedly simply because your curious about your new piercing.  That is what we are here for.

• What to avoid

• Don't use alcohol, peroxide, betadine, hibiclens, or ear-care on body piercings, they are overly strong and drying which can hinder the healing process.

• Do not over clean.  Cleaning more often than once or twice a day is not better. This can delay your healing and irritate your piercing

• Don't use too many different products, select and use only one cleaning solution (dial anti-bacterial, provon, or satin) plus sea salt

• Avoid oral contact, rough play, and contact with other peoples bodily fluids on or near the piercing during the healing process

• Don't hang charms or any object from your jewelry until the piercing is fully healed

• What is normal

• Bleeding, bruising, discoloration and/or swelling is not uncommon.  Any break in the skin, including a new piercing can bleed or bruise.  These are not indications of any complication.  Reduce intake of aspirin, alcohol, and caffeine.  For about the neck piercings, try sleeping with your head elevated above you heart ( prop up on some pillows) to limit overnight swelling.  Studies show non-steroidal anti-inflammatory products such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, ect.) can help minimize swelling.

• Some tenderness or discomfort in the area are not unusual.  You may feel stinging burning, aching, or other unpleasant sensations off and on for several days or longer.  During healing there may be some itching.

• Secretion of a fluid which contains blood plasma, lymph and dead cells is perfectly normal.  It is a fairly clear liquid, whitish-yellow in color and forms a crust on the jewelry and the openings of the piercing.  This is not pus, but does indicate a healing piercing.

• Once healed your piercing may secrete a semi-solid malodorous substance from the oil glands called sebum.  This is not pus, but indicates a healed piercing.

• Piercings may have a tendency to have a series of "ups and downs" during healing by seeming healed and then regressing.  Try to be patient, and do keep cleaning during the entire healing process, even if the piercing seems to heal sooner then usual.

• Tightness is normal.  Do not expect the jewelry to swing freely in most body piercings, even after they have fully healed.

•  Hints for particular areas

• Navel - Avoid tight, cinching belts and waistbands and inflexible clothing on the area during healing.  A hard, vented eye patch (sold at local pharmacies) can be worn under tight clothing (such as nylon stockings) or secured by a length of ace bandage around the body.  Excessive use of band-aids can cause as irritation from the adhesive.

• Ear/Cartilage and facial - Shield piercings from hair spray and avoid getting lotion, make-up, and other foreign substances in piercings.  Make sure pillow cases are clean and changed frequently.  Clean your telephone receiver with a disinfectant and avoid contact with public telephones.

• Nipple - It is advisable to sleep in a cotton tank top or tee-shirt especially if you have any pets that get on your bed.  Many women find sleeping in a bra or sports bra very comfortable while healing a nipple piercing.

• Genital - Sexual activity is not prohibited, but it must be hygienic. Listen to your body!  If something feels sore, it means you need to ease up or stop for the time being.  Use condoms (without nonoxynol 9) and dental dams for all sexual contact to prevent sharing of bodily fluids this is required even if your in a monogamous relationship.  It is mandatory for your health and safety during entire healing time.  Pleasure Plus condoms have extra room for jewelry.  BE WISE PLAY SMART!

Disclaimer

These guidelines are based on a combination of

experience, common sense, research, and clinical practice.

This is not to be considered a substitute for

medical advise from a doctor.  Be aware, however, that

Many doctors have no specific training or experience

regarding piercings and may not be educated on how to

best assist you.