BODY PIERCING AFTERCARE

CLEANING SOLUTIONS

 

Use either one or both of the following solutions for body piercing:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

   

• Non-iodized sea salt mixture:   Dissolve 1/4 teaspoon of non-iodized (iodine free) sea salt into one cup (8 oz) of warm distilled or bottled water.

   

• Liquid anti-microbial or germicidal soap.

   

• Waterproof bandage: Tegaderm, CleanSeals, Polyskin or other breathable, non-water permeable wound sealant bandages when necessary.

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CLEANING INSTRUCTIONS

 

1. WASH your hands thoroughly prior to cleaning, or touching on or near your piercing for any reason.

    

2. SALINE soak at least two to three times daily.   Simply invert a cup of warm saline solution over the area to form a vacuum for a few minutes.   The longer you soak, the better.   For certain placements it may be easier to apply using fresh gauze or a cotton ball saturated with saline solution.   Rinse with saline to remove any residue.

    

3. SOAP no more than once or twice a day.   While showering, lather up a pearl size drop of the soap to clean the jewelry and the piercing.   Leave the cleanser on the piercing no more than thirty seconds, then rinse thoroughly with saline to remove all traces of the soap from the piercing.

    

4. DRY with disposable paper products such as gauze or tissues.   (Cloth towels can harbor bacteria and catch on new piercings causing injury.)   Pat gently to avoid trauma.

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CLEANING INSTRUCTIONS FOR INSIDE THE MOUTH

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Rinse mouth 4-5 times daily with cleaning solution for 30-60 seconds after meals and at bedtime during the entire healing period.   If you over clean, it may cause discoloration or irritation of tongue.   (Use either Antimicrobial or antibacterial alcohol-free mouth rinse or sterile saline solution.   If you have high blood pressure or a heart condition, please check with your doctor before using a saline product inside the mouth as your primary cleaning solution.)

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WHAT IS NORMAL

 

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

   

• During healing: some discoloration, 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 a part of your daily hygiene routine, normal but smelly bodily secretions may accumulate.

   

• A piercing may seem healed before healing is complete.   Piercings typically heal from the outside in.   BE PATIENT, and keep cleaning throughout the entire healing period.   Healed piercings can close in minutes even if you’ve had the piercing for years.

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WHAT TO DO

 

• Stay healthy. Get enough sleep and eat a nutritious diet. The healthier your lifestyle, the easier it will be for your piercing to heal. Exercise during healing is fine, just “listen” to your body.

   

• Make sure your bedding is kept clean and changed regularly. Wear clean, comfortable breathable clothing that protects your piercing while sleeping.

   

• Showering is safer than taking a bath, because bathtubs tend to harbor bacteria. If you would like to take a bath, clean the tub well before each use.

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WHAT TO AVOID

 

• Avoid playing with the jewelry and causing 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.   With oral piercings - long term effects of playing with and clicking jewelry against teeth can result in permanent damage to teeth and mouth.

   

• Avoid any mouthwash containing alcohol.   It can irritate the area and delay healing.

   

• Avoid oral sexual contact including French (wet) kissing or oral sex during healing (even with a long term partner).

   

• Avoid chewing on gum, tobacco, fingernails, pencils, sunglasses, etc.

   

• Avoid sharing plates, cups, and eating utensils.

   

• Avoid smoking as it increases risks and lengthens healing time.

   

• Avoid stress and all recreational drug use.

   

• Avoid any aspirin or alcohol, and large amounts of caffeine.

   

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

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hints and Tips

 

Jewelry

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Leave jewelry in place for the entire healing period.   A qualified piercer should perform any necessary jewelry changes.

   

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

   

• Leave jewelry in at all times. Even old, well-healed piercings can shrink or close in minutes 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 or breakage.

   

• Should you decide you no longer want the piercing, seek professional help in the removal of the jewelry and continue cleaning the piercing until the hole closes.   In most cases only a small indentation will remain.

   

• If an infection is suspected, quality jewelry should be left in place to allow for drainage of the infection.

 

Oral Piercings

Eating

• Slowly eat small bites of food, placed directly onto the molars.
• Avoid spicy, salty, acidic, or hot temperature foods or beverages for a few days.
• Cold foods and beverage are soothing and help reduce swelling.
• For tongue piercings, try to keep your tongue level in your mouth as you chew and swallow.
• For labret (cheek and lip) piercings, be cautious about opening your mouth too wide as this can result in the backing of the jewelry catching on the teeth

To reduce swelling

• Allow small pieces of ice to dissolve in the mouth.
• Check with your doctor about taking an over the counter, anti-inflammatory such as Ibuprofen according to package instructions and doctors orders.
• Sleep with your head elevated above your heart during the first few nights.

 

 

 

Maintain good oral hygiene

• Use a new soft-bristled toothbrush and keep it clean.
• 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 buildup.

 

 

 

 

Navel

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• A hard, vented eye patch (sold at pharmacies) can be applied under tight clothing (such as nylon stockings) or secured using a length of ace bandage around the body (to avoid irritation from adhesive). This can protect the area from restrictive clothing, excess irritation, and impact during physical activities such as contact sports.

 

 

 

 

Ear/Ear Cartilage and Facial

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Use the t-shirt trick: dress your pillow in a large, clean t-shirt and turn it nightly; one clean t-shirt provides four clean surfaces for sleeping.

   

• Maintain cleanliness of telephones, headphones, eyeglasses, helmets, hats and anything that contacts the pierced area.

   

• Use caution when styling your hair and advise your stylist of a new or healing piercing.

   

 

 

 

 

Nipple

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• A tight cotton shirt or sports bra provides protection, especially for sleeping.

 

 

 

 

Genital

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• You can engage in sexual activity as soon as you feel ready. Comfort and hygiene are vital.

   

• During healing all sexual activities must be gentle.

   

• Use barriers such as condoms and dental dams to avoid contact with a partner’s bodily fluids, even in long-term relationships.

   

• Use clean, disposable barriers on sex toys.

   

• Wash hands before touching near the piercing.

   

• Use new water based lubricant.   Do not use your own saliva as a lubricant.

   

• After sex, an additional saline soak or clean water rinse is suggested.

   

• Be aware that Prince Albert piercings may bleed for the first few days.

   

• If using soap, urinate after cleaning any piercing that is near the urethra.

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If problems arise

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If excess swelling, bleeding, change of color or soreness persists, do not remove jewelry on your own. Please contact a physician.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DISCLAIMER

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This information is not intended as a substitute for the medical recommendations of a physician.   Rather, it is intended for educational and informational purposes only.   Please see a qualified healthcare professional if you have questions regarding your health.   This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.