EARLOBE & CARTILAGE
Healing time varies greatly; times given are a general guide. Ear lobes generally heal in 6 weeks. Cartilage could take 6-9 months to heal. Any remnants of the ink used to mark your skin will wear off on its own in a day or two.
Crust Build up is normal, as is a whitish sticky substance coming out from the piercing. This needs to be cleaned off at least two times daily. Recommended is morning and before bed.
Leave jewelry in until the piercing is fully healed. Taking the jewelry out before this time, may cause infection and a longer healing time. These types of piercings can close quickly if not healed and jewelry is left out for any extended amount of time.
Always wash your hands before touching your piercing or the jewelry. Usually swelling will begin to recede after 3 to 5 days. Any over the counter pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medications can help reduce the swelling and discomfort you may experience. Do not take any medications containing aspirin, which thins the blood.
Use a cotton swab dipped into a saline solution to clean the jewelry and the openings of the piercing then rotate it into the piercing until the entire piercing inside and out is coated.
Saline solution or a salt-water soak can be mixed with non-iodized sea salt, ¼ teaspoon salt to 8 Oz. water. 8 Oz is equal to one cup, the solution should be no saltier than your tears. Most people find this effective and it’s very mild on the skin causing little if any irritation.
Never use alcohol, peroxide or any ointments on your piercings.
NOSTRIL & SEPTUM
Healing time varies greatly; times given are a general guide. Any remnants of the ink used to mark your skin will wear off on its own in a day or two.
Crust Build up is normal, as is a whitish sticky substance coming out from the piercing. This needs to be cleaned off two or three times daily. Recommended is morning, afternoon, and before bed.
Leave jewelry in until the piercing is fully healed. Taking the jewelry out before this time, may cause infection and a longer healing time. These types of piercings can close quickly if not healed and jewelry is left out for any extended amount of time.
Always wash your hands before touching your piercing or the jewelry. Usually swelling will begin to recede after 3 to 5 days. Any over the counter pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medications can help reduce the swelling and discomfort you may experience. Do not take any medications containing aspirin, which thins the blood.
Use a cotton swab dipped into a saline solution to clean the entire ring and the openings of the piercing then rotate it into the piercing until the entire piercing inside and out is coated. Leave it inside the piercing for 3-5 minutes. Rinse off with warm water, a clean spray bottle might be helpful especially when a bath/shower is not possible such as at work.
Saline solution or a salt-water soak can be mixed with non-iodized sea salt, ¼ teaspoon salt to 8 Oz. water. 8 Oz is equal to one cup, the solution should be no saltier than your tears. Most people find this effective and it’s very mild on the skin causing little if any irritation.
Rotating jewelry after cleaning is helpful in the healing process. For a new piercing rotate only during cleaning, but as the piercing becomes less new, rotating jewelry more will not hurt.
TONGUE
The following aftercare instructions have been provided to help make your piercing as pleasant as possible. These guidelines are as directed by the Association of Professional Piercers.
Average healing time will be approximately 4 to 6 weeks.
Always wash your hands before touching your piercing or the jewelry.
During the first 24 to 48 hours the tongue usually swells to almost twice its normal size. Apply ice and or drink ice water to minimize swelling and tenderness. Your barbell is long to allow for swelling that may occur. Usually swelling will begin to recede after 3 to 5 days. Any over the counter pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medications can help reduce the swelling and discomfort you may experience. Do not take any medications containing aspirin, which thins the blood.
Rinse with an antibacterial mouthwash for 30 seconds after eating, drinking, any liquid other than water, and smoking. Some of the better mouthwashes for aftercare are the alcohol-free type such as Biotene, Rembrandt, and Tech 2000. Listerine may be used, but due to the high alcohol content and frequency of use, it is recommended to dilute 50/50 with bottled water. After using the mouthwash, rinse with (preferably bottled) water to remove mouthwash residues.
It is better to reduce smoking to a minimum while the piercing is healing. Not smoking is better. Use of chewed tobacco products is highly discouraged if one has oral piercings, new or healed. Avoid consuming very hot or spicy foods and drinks while your piercing is healing. While the piercing is swollen it is recommended for comfort and healing to eat soft foods that don’t require excessive chewing to digest. Although you may not be eating much please remember to drink plenty of fluids.
Tongue piercings produce a discharge just as any other piercing or wound. This discharge is sticky and white. Yellow or green indicates an infection.
A white discoloration of your tongue indicates the mouthwash is being overused. When overused the mouthwash dries out the mucous layer of the tongue, upsets the pH and depletes the healthy and necessary bacteria of the mouth. Depletion of healthy bacteria can result in thrush (Candida albicans), a fungal infection indicated by a white carpet-like layer on the tongue. Medications for treating thrush are only available with a doctor’s prescription. In some cases of mild thrush, the condition of the mouth can be restored if the mouthwash is used less often or diluted with water.
After swelling has receded, warm salt water rinses may be used to remove discharge and lymph secretions. 1/4 teaspoon sea salt or table salt to 8 ounces of distilled water is suggested.
Check the tightness on the tongue barbell balls daily, your barbell is threaded on both ends. Remember; turn to the right to make it tight.
Tongue barbells accumulate plaque. Plaque traps bacteria and can irritate the piercing. Using an anti-plaque rinse will usually prevent plaque accumulation.
Remember, NO oral contact during the healing process. This includes wet kissing and oral sex.
Get a new toothbrush; an old toothbrush is a haven for bacteria. Avoid chewing on pens or other items which may be contaminated with bacteria. Do not share your eating utensils or drinking glasses.
It is advised to consider getting a shorter barbell after your swelling recedes, usually after 2 to 4 weeks to reduce the risks of speech and eating impediments and chipping teeth.
You may notice a slight irritation where the bottom ball rests on the bottom of your mouth or lower gums. This irritation is usually eliminated when you change to the shorter barbell. If the ball continues rubbing the gums this can be usually remedied with a smaller ball.
Sometimes a tongue piercing will develop white or pink scar tissue around one or both entrances. Scarring is usually caused by physical stress or chemical irritation. Minimize playing with your barbell. Eliminate sources of chemical irritation such as smoking, coffee, and spicy foods. Shortening the barbell after swelling recedes will reduce the physical stress. If this scarring is persistent, contact me for suggestions.
NAVEL
TO CLEAN THE PIERCING IN THE SHOWER:
First take your shower. haha!!. Use a couple drops of antibacterial liquid soap in your palm and work up a good lather, wash the piercing and surrounding area around your navel, taking care to remove any scabbing or discharge on the jewelry. Once the jewelry is clean, soap it up and work it through the skin so the lather is pulled all the way through the piercing. After a minute or two, rinse well, again moving the jewelry through the piercing while rinsing. Pat your belly dry with your towel.
DO NOT TOUCH YOUR PIERCING UNLESS YOU ARE CLEANING IT WITH CLEAN HANDS.
CLEANING THROUGHOUT THE DAY:
Periodic cleaning during the day if needed can be done with Salt Solution (1/4 tsp sea salt mixed into 8 oz of water).
First wash your hands. Next, saturate the area surrounding the piercing with Salt Solution. Gently remove any discharge with a cotton swab. Again saturate the piercing and work jewelry through to pull the solution into the piercing. Rinsing is not necessary.
DO NOT USE:
Alcohol, Peroxide, Neosporin or other ointment.
DO NOT TOUCH OR MOVE THE BAR UNLESS YOU ARE CLEANING IT.
LIP, CHEEK, & LABRET
Healing time varies greatly; times given are a general guide. Any remnants of the ink used to mark your skin will wear off on its own in a day or two.
Crust Build up is normal, as is a whitish sticky substance coming out from the piercing. This needs to be cleaned off two or three times daily with a saline solution (mix 1/4 teaspoon of sea salt in 8oz of water). Recommended is morning, afternoon, and before bed. Do not twist your jewelry. It grinds the crust into your new piercing causing redness and soreness.
Leave jewelry in until the piercing is fully healed. Taking the jewelry out before this time, may cause infection and a longer healing time. These type of piercing’s can close quickly if not healed and jewelry is left out for an extended amount of time.
Always wash your hands before touching your piercing or the jewelry. Usually swelling will begin to recede after 3 to 5 days. Any over the counter pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medications can help reduce the swelling and discomfort you may experience. Do not take any medications containing aspirin, which thins the blood.
It is better to reduce smoking to a minimum while the piercing is healing. Not smoking is better. Use of chewed tobacco products is highly discouraged if one has oral piercing’s, new or healed.
Rinse with an antibacterial mouthwash for 30 seconds after eating, drinking, any liquid other than water, and smoking. Some of the better mouthwashes for aftercare are the alcohol-free type such as Biotene, Rembrandt and Listerine. After using the mouthwash, rinse with (preferably bottled) water to remove mouthwash residues. After swelling is reduced, warm salt water rinses may be used to remove discharge and lymph secretions. ¼ teaspoon sea salt or table salt to 8 ounces of distilled water is suggested.
Check tightness on the jewelry daily, your jewelry is internally threaded. Remember; turn to the right to make it tight.
Remember, NO oral contact during the healing process. This includes wet kissing and oral sex.
Avoid chewing on pens or other items which may contaminated with bacteria. Do not share your eating utensils or drinking glasses.
EYEBROW
Healing time varies greatly; times given are a general guide. Usual healing takes 6-8 weeks. Any remnants of the ink used to mark your skin will wear off on its own in a day or two.
Crust Build up is normal, as is a whitish sticky substance coming out from the piercing. This needs to be cleaned off two or three times daily. Recommended is morning, afternoon, and before bed.
Leave jewelry in until the piercing is fully healed. Changing the jewelry out before this time, may cause infection and a longer healing time. These type of piercing’s can close quickly if not healed and the jewelry is left out for even a small amount of time.
Always wash your hands before touching your piercing or the jewelry. Usually swelling will begin to recede after 3 to 5 days. Any over the counter pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medications can help reduce the swelling and discomfort you may experience. Do not take any medications containing aspirin, which thins the blood.
Use a cotton swab dipped in a saline solution (mix 1/4 teaspoon of sea salt in 8oz of water) to remove the crust build up at the openings and on the jewelry. Use the saline solution to coat the entire ring and the openings of the piercing then rotate it into the piercing until the entire piercing inside and out is coated. Rinse off with warm water, a clean spray bottle might be helpful especially when a bath/shower is not possible such as at work.
IRRITATION BUMPS
If you start to develop a bump or as we like to call them "irritation bumps" it is most likely that you have snagged, bumped, or hit your piercing. Most people will do so in their sleep without realizing it. The best thing to do to treat this is to buy tea tree oil. You will take a q-tip and dip it into the oil then rub it onto the bump twice a day until gone. When using the tea tree oil make sure to clean your piercing first with your saline solution then follow with the tea tree oil. You can also add hot compresses to your cleaning routine. Take a washcloth, get it as hot as you can stand it, lather with a little bit of antibacterial soap, and hold onto the piercing until cold. You may do this a couple times throughout the day.
Healing time varies greatly; times given are a general guide. Ear lobes generally heal in 6 weeks. Cartilage could take 6-9 months to heal. Any remnants of the ink used to mark your skin will wear off on its own in a day or two.
Crust Build up is normal, as is a whitish sticky substance coming out from the piercing. This needs to be cleaned off at least two times daily. Recommended is morning and before bed.
Leave jewelry in until the piercing is fully healed. Taking the jewelry out before this time, may cause infection and a longer healing time. These types of piercings can close quickly if not healed and jewelry is left out for any extended amount of time.
Always wash your hands before touching your piercing or the jewelry. Usually swelling will begin to recede after 3 to 5 days. Any over the counter pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medications can help reduce the swelling and discomfort you may experience. Do not take any medications containing aspirin, which thins the blood.
Use a cotton swab dipped into a saline solution to clean the jewelry and the openings of the piercing then rotate it into the piercing until the entire piercing inside and out is coated.
Saline solution or a salt-water soak can be mixed with non-iodized sea salt, ¼ teaspoon salt to 8 Oz. water. 8 Oz is equal to one cup, the solution should be no saltier than your tears. Most people find this effective and it’s very mild on the skin causing little if any irritation.
Never use alcohol, peroxide or any ointments on your piercings.
NOSTRIL & SEPTUM
Healing time varies greatly; times given are a general guide. Any remnants of the ink used to mark your skin will wear off on its own in a day or two.
Crust Build up is normal, as is a whitish sticky substance coming out from the piercing. This needs to be cleaned off two or three times daily. Recommended is morning, afternoon, and before bed.
Leave jewelry in until the piercing is fully healed. Taking the jewelry out before this time, may cause infection and a longer healing time. These types of piercings can close quickly if not healed and jewelry is left out for any extended amount of time.
Always wash your hands before touching your piercing or the jewelry. Usually swelling will begin to recede after 3 to 5 days. Any over the counter pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medications can help reduce the swelling and discomfort you may experience. Do not take any medications containing aspirin, which thins the blood.
Use a cotton swab dipped into a saline solution to clean the entire ring and the openings of the piercing then rotate it into the piercing until the entire piercing inside and out is coated. Leave it inside the piercing for 3-5 minutes. Rinse off with warm water, a clean spray bottle might be helpful especially when a bath/shower is not possible such as at work.
Saline solution or a salt-water soak can be mixed with non-iodized sea salt, ¼ teaspoon salt to 8 Oz. water. 8 Oz is equal to one cup, the solution should be no saltier than your tears. Most people find this effective and it’s very mild on the skin causing little if any irritation.
Rotating jewelry after cleaning is helpful in the healing process. For a new piercing rotate only during cleaning, but as the piercing becomes less new, rotating jewelry more will not hurt.
TONGUE
The following aftercare instructions have been provided to help make your piercing as pleasant as possible. These guidelines are as directed by the Association of Professional Piercers.
Average healing time will be approximately 4 to 6 weeks.
Always wash your hands before touching your piercing or the jewelry.
During the first 24 to 48 hours the tongue usually swells to almost twice its normal size. Apply ice and or drink ice water to minimize swelling and tenderness. Your barbell is long to allow for swelling that may occur. Usually swelling will begin to recede after 3 to 5 days. Any over the counter pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medications can help reduce the swelling and discomfort you may experience. Do not take any medications containing aspirin, which thins the blood.
Rinse with an antibacterial mouthwash for 30 seconds after eating, drinking, any liquid other than water, and smoking. Some of the better mouthwashes for aftercare are the alcohol-free type such as Biotene, Rembrandt, and Tech 2000. Listerine may be used, but due to the high alcohol content and frequency of use, it is recommended to dilute 50/50 with bottled water. After using the mouthwash, rinse with (preferably bottled) water to remove mouthwash residues.
It is better to reduce smoking to a minimum while the piercing is healing. Not smoking is better. Use of chewed tobacco products is highly discouraged if one has oral piercings, new or healed. Avoid consuming very hot or spicy foods and drinks while your piercing is healing. While the piercing is swollen it is recommended for comfort and healing to eat soft foods that don’t require excessive chewing to digest. Although you may not be eating much please remember to drink plenty of fluids.
Tongue piercings produce a discharge just as any other piercing or wound. This discharge is sticky and white. Yellow or green indicates an infection.
A white discoloration of your tongue indicates the mouthwash is being overused. When overused the mouthwash dries out the mucous layer of the tongue, upsets the pH and depletes the healthy and necessary bacteria of the mouth. Depletion of healthy bacteria can result in thrush (Candida albicans), a fungal infection indicated by a white carpet-like layer on the tongue. Medications for treating thrush are only available with a doctor’s prescription. In some cases of mild thrush, the condition of the mouth can be restored if the mouthwash is used less often or diluted with water.
After swelling has receded, warm salt water rinses may be used to remove discharge and lymph secretions. 1/4 teaspoon sea salt or table salt to 8 ounces of distilled water is suggested.
Check the tightness on the tongue barbell balls daily, your barbell is threaded on both ends. Remember; turn to the right to make it tight.
Tongue barbells accumulate plaque. Plaque traps bacteria and can irritate the piercing. Using an anti-plaque rinse will usually prevent plaque accumulation.
Remember, NO oral contact during the healing process. This includes wet kissing and oral sex.
Get a new toothbrush; an old toothbrush is a haven for bacteria. Avoid chewing on pens or other items which may be contaminated with bacteria. Do not share your eating utensils or drinking glasses.
It is advised to consider getting a shorter barbell after your swelling recedes, usually after 2 to 4 weeks to reduce the risks of speech and eating impediments and chipping teeth.
You may notice a slight irritation where the bottom ball rests on the bottom of your mouth or lower gums. This irritation is usually eliminated when you change to the shorter barbell. If the ball continues rubbing the gums this can be usually remedied with a smaller ball.
Sometimes a tongue piercing will develop white or pink scar tissue around one or both entrances. Scarring is usually caused by physical stress or chemical irritation. Minimize playing with your barbell. Eliminate sources of chemical irritation such as smoking, coffee, and spicy foods. Shortening the barbell after swelling recedes will reduce the physical stress. If this scarring is persistent, contact me for suggestions.
NAVEL
TO CLEAN THE PIERCING IN THE SHOWER:
First take your shower. haha!!. Use a couple drops of antibacterial liquid soap in your palm and work up a good lather, wash the piercing and surrounding area around your navel, taking care to remove any scabbing or discharge on the jewelry. Once the jewelry is clean, soap it up and work it through the skin so the lather is pulled all the way through the piercing. After a minute or two, rinse well, again moving the jewelry through the piercing while rinsing. Pat your belly dry with your towel.
DO NOT TOUCH YOUR PIERCING UNLESS YOU ARE CLEANING IT WITH CLEAN HANDS.
CLEANING THROUGHOUT THE DAY:
Periodic cleaning during the day if needed can be done with Salt Solution (1/4 tsp sea salt mixed into 8 oz of water).
First wash your hands. Next, saturate the area surrounding the piercing with Salt Solution. Gently remove any discharge with a cotton swab. Again saturate the piercing and work jewelry through to pull the solution into the piercing. Rinsing is not necessary.
DO NOT USE:
Alcohol, Peroxide, Neosporin or other ointment.
DO NOT TOUCH OR MOVE THE BAR UNLESS YOU ARE CLEANING IT.
LIP, CHEEK, & LABRET
Healing time varies greatly; times given are a general guide. Any remnants of the ink used to mark your skin will wear off on its own in a day or two.
Crust Build up is normal, as is a whitish sticky substance coming out from the piercing. This needs to be cleaned off two or three times daily with a saline solution (mix 1/4 teaspoon of sea salt in 8oz of water). Recommended is morning, afternoon, and before bed. Do not twist your jewelry. It grinds the crust into your new piercing causing redness and soreness.
Leave jewelry in until the piercing is fully healed. Taking the jewelry out before this time, may cause infection and a longer healing time. These type of piercing’s can close quickly if not healed and jewelry is left out for an extended amount of time.
Always wash your hands before touching your piercing or the jewelry. Usually swelling will begin to recede after 3 to 5 days. Any over the counter pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medications can help reduce the swelling and discomfort you may experience. Do not take any medications containing aspirin, which thins the blood.
It is better to reduce smoking to a minimum while the piercing is healing. Not smoking is better. Use of chewed tobacco products is highly discouraged if one has oral piercing’s, new or healed.
Rinse with an antibacterial mouthwash for 30 seconds after eating, drinking, any liquid other than water, and smoking. Some of the better mouthwashes for aftercare are the alcohol-free type such as Biotene, Rembrandt and Listerine. After using the mouthwash, rinse with (preferably bottled) water to remove mouthwash residues. After swelling is reduced, warm salt water rinses may be used to remove discharge and lymph secretions. ¼ teaspoon sea salt or table salt to 8 ounces of distilled water is suggested.
Check tightness on the jewelry daily, your jewelry is internally threaded. Remember; turn to the right to make it tight.
Remember, NO oral contact during the healing process. This includes wet kissing and oral sex.
Avoid chewing on pens or other items which may contaminated with bacteria. Do not share your eating utensils or drinking glasses.
EYEBROW
Healing time varies greatly; times given are a general guide. Usual healing takes 6-8 weeks. Any remnants of the ink used to mark your skin will wear off on its own in a day or two.
Crust Build up is normal, as is a whitish sticky substance coming out from the piercing. This needs to be cleaned off two or three times daily. Recommended is morning, afternoon, and before bed.
Leave jewelry in until the piercing is fully healed. Changing the jewelry out before this time, may cause infection and a longer healing time. These type of piercing’s can close quickly if not healed and the jewelry is left out for even a small amount of time.
Always wash your hands before touching your piercing or the jewelry. Usually swelling will begin to recede after 3 to 5 days. Any over the counter pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medications can help reduce the swelling and discomfort you may experience. Do not take any medications containing aspirin, which thins the blood.
Use a cotton swab dipped in a saline solution (mix 1/4 teaspoon of sea salt in 8oz of water) to remove the crust build up at the openings and on the jewelry. Use the saline solution to coat the entire ring and the openings of the piercing then rotate it into the piercing until the entire piercing inside and out is coated. Rinse off with warm water, a clean spray bottle might be helpful especially when a bath/shower is not possible such as at work.
IRRITATION BUMPS
If you start to develop a bump or as we like to call them "irritation bumps" it is most likely that you have snagged, bumped, or hit your piercing. Most people will do so in their sleep without realizing it. The best thing to do to treat this is to buy tea tree oil. You will take a q-tip and dip it into the oil then rub it onto the bump twice a day until gone. When using the tea tree oil make sure to clean your piercing first with your saline solution then follow with the tea tree oil. You can also add hot compresses to your cleaning routine. Take a washcloth, get it as hot as you can stand it, lather with a little bit of antibacterial soap, and hold onto the piercing until cold. You may do this a couple times throughout the day.