Caring for your new piercing - 

Lets start with the two most important things to remember; 

DO NOT TOUCH YOUR PIERCING.

The only time you should touch your piercing is when you are cleaning it, and you will first wash your hands.

DO NOT REMOVE YOUR JEWELLERY.

New piercings can shrink the moment the jewellery is removed, making it painful or impossible to get back in.

If you have an infection, removing your jewellery can heal the infection inside of your piercing, which is why we advise not to remove jewellery and to seek medical advice to get antibiotics to treat an infection. Do not remove your piercing until the infection has completely cleared.

What is 'normal' during the healing process?

• Bleeding or bruising and/or swelling are fairly common with a new piercing. 

• Some tenderness or discomfort in the area of the new piercing can be expected for several days or longer. Discoloration (redness) and itching during the healing process are also fairly common. 

• Secretion or a whitish-yellow fluid (not pus) is part of the healing process and is to be expected. It is liquid when it leaves the body but dries into 'crusties'. 

• Piercings will go through "ups and downs" while healing. They may seem healed for a while, and then regress. The key is to continue the cleaning process throughout initial healing time. 

• Piercings, including healed piercings that are not cleaned daily may smell unpleasant. This does not necessarily indicate a problem. 

• Jewellery should not be expected to rotate or move freely in most piercings, even after healing. Most piercings will shrink or close very quickly if the jewellery is removed. So if you like your new piercing, it is vital to leave your jewellery in at all times! 

Body Piercing Aftercare - 

1. Wash your hands thoroughly

2. Either spray the saline directly on the piercing to liberally flush the piercing or soak a non woven gauze or Kitchen Roll in saline and apply that to the piercing

3. You may need to use a non woven gauze or Kitchen Roll, to remove any 'crusties' or any debris from the area that may have collected around your new piercing/ around the jewellery 

4. It is not necessary to rinse the product away, however if you do choose to rinse, make sure its with clean, running water

5. If your jewellery is threaded (barbells etc) check it to make sure its still tight after cleaning. Remember, 'righty tighty, lefty loosey'.

AVOID USING ANY FORM OF COTTON WOOL. COTTON WOOL HAS TINY FIBRES WHICH COME OFF, IF THESE ENTER YOUR PIERCING SITE YOU ARE LIKELY TO GET AN INFECTION. 

PIERCING AFTERCARE AVAILABLE TO PURCHASE FROM OUR SHOP

What to avoid while healing a new piercing - 

•  Avoid touching your piercing, except when you are cleaning it

• Avoid oral contact, or contact with other people's bodily fluids

• Avoid using any aftercare products or ointments that were not suggested by your piercer

• Avoid getting lotions or make up in or around your new piercing 

• Avoid pools, hot tubs, lakes, rivers, etc. Using a waterproof bandage (such as Tegaderm) is viable for some piercings 

• Avoid Sucking thick beverages through straws, such as milkshakes

• Avoid Hot, spicy foods and excessive consumption of alcohol, aspirin and caffeine

• Avoid Smoking - If you do smoke, rinse with cold bottled water after. 

• Avoid Chewing on gum, tobacco or fingernails, and other things that are not food

• Avoid Playing with your jewellery, this can cause irreversible damage to teeth and gums

Oral Piercing aftercare - 

Use a diluted, alcohol free mouthwash - morning and evening 

Oral hygiene must be maintained while any piercing inside the mouth is healing, however using a mouthwash that is too strong can damage cells and slow the healing process. Be sure to choose an alcohol free mouthwash, such as chlorexidine, Biotene, crest pro-health, or colgate advanced care, and dilute with 50/50 with distilled or bottled water. Please be sure to wash your hands thoroughly before cleaning your piercing. 

1. Wash your hands thoroughly.

2. Swish gently with alcohol free mouthwash diluted 50/50 with distilled or bottled water for 30-60 seconds

3. If you wish, you may rinse your mouth with clean, bottled water

4. Check the balls are done up rightly on your jewellery 

RINSE WITH COOL, BOTTLED WATER AFTER MEALS, SNACKS OR SMOKING.

Tips for specific piercings - 

Navel - avoid wearing tight clothes (waistbands, etc) rubbing on your piercing. Navel piercings can produce a milky residue whilst healing, this is completely normal and nothing to worry about.

Ear and facial piercings - 

• Shield piercings from hair spray and styling products 

• Clean your telephone frequently and avoid contact with unclean phones 

• Avoid sleeping with wet hair if you have a new piercing. The moisture can lead to complications

Nipple Piercings - you may want to sleep in a clean, tight fitting shirt or sports bra, especially if you have pets that sleep in or on your bed.

Estimated healing times -