Clean your piercing once per day using the following instructions:
Rinse your piercing very thoroughly under running water in the shower: Rinse your piercings for at least 1 minute daily at the end of your shower (make sure to rinse the back for earlobes). This removes dried lymphatic fluid and helps to improve the circulation to the tissue
Spray with sterile saline solution (available at Facet, or most drug stores)
Immediately after rinsing in the shower, spray your piercing with sterile saline solution and allow it to absorb. Pat dry with a tissue or paper towel (no cotton swabs or bath towels/wash cloths) or dry with a blow dryer on cool setting.
Use a mild soap to clean the area 2-3 times per week: Using a mild soap to clean the skin surrounding your piercing can help to keep natural oils from accumulating on your skin. Pursan (available at Facet) or Dr. Bronners Baby Castille Soap are both extremely mild and safe to use while the piercing is healing. Lather the soap in your hands and gently wash the surrounding skin, then rinse thoroughly with hot water. This is easiest to do in the shower.
While soft tissue piercings generally heal a bit more quickly than cartilage piercings, they come with their own set of considerations. They generally go through more tissue and can be more prone to migration (your body pushing the piercing out). If you ever think your piercing seems to be getting shallower with time, please set up a checkup so I can see how things are healing, or if a downsize to the length of the jewelry may be necessary.
THINGS TO AVOID:
Touching your piercing! Our hands can carry a lot of bacteria, and moving your jewelry will cause excess irritation. Avoid touching your piercing as much as possible, and if you must, make sure you wash your hands first.
Standing water should be avoided for the first 8-12 weeks of healing. This includes submerging your piercing in lakes, pools, bathtubs, rivers, hot tubs or ocean water for that minimum period. Failure to do so drastically increases your risk of infection or irritation. Navel and nipple piercings may be covered with Tegaderm or Nexxcare bandages (a sterile, waterproof bandage available at most drugstores) as long as the bandage is well sealed and standing water cannot be avoided.
Harsh chemicals should be avoided during the entire healing process of your piercing. Things like alcohol, peroxide, bactine, ear care solution, ointments and antibacterial soaps can cause undue irritation for a puncture wound, and they are not intended for this purpose.
Changing your jewelry before healing is complete! Piercings often feel healed long before they actually are, and changing your jewelry too soon can cause irritation or delayed healing. If you aren’t sure if it’s ready, please reach out, I’m always happy to assess it for you.
THINGS TO DO:
Take care of your overall health. Eat well, rest well, drink water, avoid stress and take your vitamins! We often overlook our general health when it comes to our piercings, but a healthy body means a healthy immune system, and a happy healing piercing.
Keep clothing, bedding and anything that may come into contact with your piercing clean. With navel piercings, avoid high wasted clothing that may rub or cause friction against the piercing directly.
Schedule a checkup if you are ever unsure about how your piercing is healing or reach out if you have questions, I want your piercing to heal perfectly just as much as you do and I’m happy to help you any time. No question is dumb, and no worry should be left to google or your friends to answer for you. I’m here to help you through your entire healing process!
Reach out if your piercing needs to be removed during the healing process for any reason. Retainers can be inserted for medical testing or procedures, and while changing should be kept to a minimum, there are solutions if necessary.
If your piercing suddenly becomes very swollen, hot to the touch, very painful or has excessive fluid draining from it, schedule a checkup. These can be signs of infection, and a visit to the doctor may be necessary.
