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Now for the aftercare

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

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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 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 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 piercing it is vital to LEAVE YOUR JEWELLERY IN AT ALL TIMES

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BODY PIERCING AFTERCARE
 

• Wash your hands thoroughly.
   

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

• You may need to use a q-tip or non-woven gauze to clean away any debris or “crusties”
  that may have collected on the jewellery around the piercing.
   

• It is not necessary to rinse this product away, however if you do rinse make sure it’s with clean, running water.
   

• If your jewellery is threaded (barbells, etc.) check it to make sure it’s still tight!
  
  Remember “righty tighty, lefty loosey.”

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WHAT TO AVOID WHILE HEALING A BODY PIERCING
 

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

• Avoid oral contact or contact with other people’s body fluids.
   

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

• Avoid getting lotions and/or makeup in or around your piercing.
   

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

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TIPS FOR SPECIFIC BODY PIERCINGS

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NAVEL

• Avoid having tight clothing (waistbands, etc.) rubbing on your piercing.
   

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 ear 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 get on or in your bed.

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ORAL PIERCING AFTERCARE
 

USE A DILUTED, ALCHOL-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 Biotene, Crest Pro-Health, or Colgate Advanced Care, and dilute it 50/50 with distilled or bottled water.

Do not touch your piercing without first washing your hands and leave your jewellery in at all times!
 

1. Wash your hands thoroughly.
    

2. Swish gently with an 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. If your jewellery is threaded (barbells, etc.) check it to make sure it’s still tight!
    

5. Remember “righty tighty, lefty loosey.”
    

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

WHAT TO AVOID WHILE HEALING AN ORAL PIERCING
 

• Touching your piercing, except when you are cleaning it.
   

• Oral contact or contact with other people’s body fluids.
   

• Sucking thick beverages (such as milkshakes) though straws.
   

• Hot, spicy foods and excessive consumption of alcohol, aspirin, and caffeine. • Smoking. If you do smoke, rinse with cold bottled water afterwards.
   

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

• Playing with your jewellery; it can cause irreversible damage to teeth and gums.
   

ADDITIONAL TIPS FOR HEALING AN ORAL PIERCING
 

• Gently suck on ice for the first few days to reduce swelling.
   

• The use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory products such as Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil etc.) can reduce swelling.
   

• This is a good time to replace your toothbrush with a new one!
   

• Be sure to brush your tongue and jewellery (gently at first) to ward away plaque build-up.
   

• Come back in for JEWELLERY DOWNSIZING at the end of your initial healing time.
  
  Oral piercings have a tendency to swell and need extra room for cleaning during the initial healing time. For your safety and comfort, we provide you with jewellery that has some extra length on the post.
  
  Once swelling subsides, it is advisable to replace the initial jewellery with a shorter post. Failure to do this will result in greatly increased chances of tooth damage (chipping, cracking, etc.), gum recession, and bone loss.
   

• Do not clean your piercing more often than is suggested, as over-cleaning can slow the healing process and cause more harm than good.
   

• Taking a multivitamin containing zinc and vitamin C can boost your body’s healing abilities. • Keep in mind that stress, poor diet, drug abuse, or illness can cause extended healing times or other difficulties.