Piercing Aftercare

We recommend coming in for a downsize in about 4-6 weeks in most cases! That way we can shorten any excess length you have on your jewelry. It will be a lot safer, and more conformable long term! (This usually costs about $15)

Your piercing might seem healed before it actually is, that's because they heal from the outside-in. Even though the outside might look and feel fine, the inside is still fragile. Be very careful during your healing process

It's best not to change your jewelry until your piercing is fully healed unless totally necessary! If need be, come back into the shop for us to help you! Contact us if your jewelry needs to be removed, (like for a medical procedure)!

If you want to keep your piercing, leave jewelry in at all times. Even old, well healed piercings can begin to shrink or even close up within minutes. If removed, re-insertion can be difficult and in some cases impossible.

Piercing Aftercare Guidelines

“What do I use to clean my new piercing?”

Pre-packaged sterile saline/"wound wash", is a great, gentle option for cleaning your new/healing piercing. We personally sell Neilmed Piercing Aftercare, but most sterile salines from the drug store will do the trick too! (just make sure the only ingredients are water and 0.9% sodium chloride!)

• Rinse as needed with saline 2-3 times a day/as needed during healing, removing any lymph/crusties from your jewelry and piercing site. If needed you may also saturate a clean paper towel or gauze pad and use to gently wipe anything away. No Q-tips! The little fibers can commonly break off of the Q-tip, and you don't want them to stick to your piercing! It can cause a lot of irritation in some cases! You may then gently pat the area dry with a clean, disposable paper product such as a paper towel. Cloth towels/rags can harbor bacteria and also snag! Ouch!

• If using soap, gently lather soap and water in your fingers, and gently rub, removing any lymph/debris from your piercing and jewelry. Rinse thoroughly and then pat dry with a disposable paper product. Still no Q-tips!

“What's normal?”

Initially; a little bit of bleeding, soreness, swelling, and maybe some bruising to the area.

During your healing; a little less, but still some swelling and soreness. some slight discoloration or redness to the piercing site, and some secretion of a whitish yellow fluid. (It's not pus, it's actually lymphatic discharge! It's your white blood cells, and is totally normal in just about any wound! Just make sure you clean it off because when dry, it can be irritating to your piercing!)

“Not normal?”

• Extreme swelling to the point that it looks like your jewelry is embedding or "sinking in" to your skin.

• Green or brown, smelly discharge. • A purple or red ring around your piercing. • Yellowish blisters on or around your piercing site. • Extreme ongoing pain or excess bleeding.

If any of these things occur, contact your piercer asap!

The no-no list:

• Avoid ointments or cleaners such as Bactine, Hibiclens, alcohol, or hydrogen peroxide.

• Avoid ear care solutions from mall piercing stores like Claires.

• Don't over clean, as this can irritate your piercing and delay your healing.

• Avoid any trauma to the piercing such as friction from tight clothing, tugging/playing with jewelry, pressure from headphones, helmets, or hats and most importantly, sleeping on any healing piercings.

• These things can lead to scar tissue, migration, delayed healing and more.

• Avoid all oral contact, or contact with others' bodily fluids on or near your piercing during the healing process.

• Avoid submerging your piercing in unhygienic bodies of water like, swimming pools, hot tubs, lakes, rivers, etc. You may use a waterproof bandage if necessary.

Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any other questions / concerns regarding your piercing! We would love to help you out!