AFTERCARE GUIDE

The suggestions that follow are intended as guidelines to help you care for your new piercing. They are based on our decades of experience as professional piercers, the experience of others who are respected in the industry, and the advice of medical professionals familiar with piercing care. Keep in mind that everyone is unique in body and lifestyle, and many factors contribute to how a piercing heals.

We offer free consultations at any time during the healing process, so we hope you will check-in during this time.

ESTIMATED INITIAL HEALING TIMES
The following is usually the minimum amount of time needed to heal before it is safe to change your jewelry. Because many factors influence how quickly a piercing will heal, some people will heal faster while others will take longer. Please be aware that these are only initial healing times. Most piercings will take years before they can be left out for an extended length of time without shrinking or closing. Multiple piercings healing simultaneously may result in longer healing times.

Ear Cartilage: 3-4 months, Ear Construction, Industrial: 3-6 months, Earlobe (up to 12g): 6-8 weeks, Earlobe (over 12g): 2-3 months, Erl (nose bridge): 2-3 months, Eyebrow: 2-3 months, High Nostril: 4-6 months, Inverse Lip: 2-3 months, Lip/Labret/Monroe: 6-8 weeks, Navel: 4-6 months, Nostril: 3-4 months, Philtrum: 6-8 weeks, Septum: 6-8 weeks, Single Point Piercing: 3-4 months, Surface Piercing (Surface Bar): 6-9 months, Surface Piercing (Tygon): 8-12 months, Tongue: 4-6 weeks, Vertical Lip: 6-8 weeks

. . . . . . . . . . .

Ampallang: 6-9 months, Apadravya: 6-9 months, Christina: 6-9 months, Clitoral Hood: 4-6 weeks, Dydoe: 6-9 months, Female Nipple: 6-9 months, Fourchette: 6-8 weeks, Frenum: 6-8 weeks, Guiche: 2-3 months, Inner Labia: 4-6 weeks, Male Nipple: 3-4 months, Prince Albert: 6-8 weeks, Princess Albertina: 4-6 weeks, Reverse PA: 6-9 months, Scrotum/Hafada: 6-8 weeks.

CARING FOR YOUR NEW PIERCING
Let’s start with two very important things to remember:

DO NOT TOUCH YOUR PIERCING. The only time you will touch your piercing is when you are cleaning it, and you will first wash your hands.

DO NOT REMOVE YOUR JEWELRY. New piercings can shrink the moment jewelry is removed, making it painful or impossible to get it back in.

What is normal during the healing process:

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

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

Secretion of 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 your cleaning routine throughout the initial healing time. 

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

Jewelry 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 jewelry is removed, so if you like your piercing it is vital to
LEAVE YOUR JEWELRY IN AT ALL TIMES!

TONGUE PIERCING AFTERCARE REDUCE SWELLING


Take an over-the-counter, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory such as Ibuprofen or Naproxen Sodium* according to package instructions.

Sleep with your head elevated above your heart during the first few nights.
Maintain good oral hygiene, rinse (saline or mouthwash) after food.

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 build-up.


The healthier your lifestyle, the easier it will be for your piercing to heal. Get enough sleep and eat a nutritious diet.

Avoid

DO NOT PLAY WITH THE JEWELRY. Long-term effects of playing with, and clicking the jewelry against the teeth can result in permanent damage to teeth and other oral structures.

Avoid 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.
Do not change the jewelry prematurely. Most Aftermarket Jewelry is not suited for initial healing and can create major issues with healing and lead to potential infection!
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! 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.
Oral Piercing Hints and Tips

Jewelry

Once the swelling has subsided, it is vital to replace the original, longer jewelry with a shorter post.
Consult your piercer for their downsize policy.
Because this necessary jewelry change may occur during healing, it should be done by a qualified piercer.
With clean hands or paper products, 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.
Contact your piercer if your jewelry must be temporarily removed (such as for a medical procedure). There are non-metallic jewelry alternatives.
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 has closed. In most cases, only a small indentation will remain.
In the event that an infection is suspected, quality jewelry or an inert alternative should be left in place to allow for drainage of the infection. Should the jewelry be removed, the surface cells can close up, sealing the infection inside the piercing channel, resulting in an abscess. Until an infection is cleared up, leave quality jewelry in!

Eating

Slowly eat small bites of food, placed directly onto the molars.
Avoid eating spicy, salty, acidic, or hot temperature foods or beverages for a few days.
Cold foods and beverages are soothing and help reduce swelling.
For tongue piercing, try to keep your tongue level in your mouth as you chew and swallow.
Each body is unique and healing times vary considerably. Contact us if you have questions or need assistance. In the event of an emergency contact your doctor.