Piercing Aftercare Advice

Please read the following aftercare guidance carefully and follow it throughout the healing process.

This guidance is based on the aftercare recommendations of the Association of Professional Piercers (APP), with additional information and advice from Golden Era Piercing.

Every piercing is different, and healing times can vary from person to person and between piercing placements. If you have any concerns or need support during the healing process, please contact me. I'm always happy to advise you.

Important: Please remember to book your jewellery downsize as advised, once the initial swelling has subsided. Downsizing should be carried out by your piercer and is an important part of the healing process for many piercings.

Cleaning Solutions

For body piercings, I recommend using a sterile saline wound wash spray.

Look for a product that contains 0.9% sodium chloride as the only ingredient, sometimes with purified water also listed. Avoid products containing additional ingredients such as moisturisers, antibacterials or other additives. Contact lens saline, eye drops and nasal sprays are not suitable substitutes.

Do not mix your own salt solution. The concentration can easily become too strong and may irritate or dry out your piercing.

Cleaning Instructions

  • WASH your hands thoroughly before touching or cleaning your piercing.

  • SALINE - spray your piercing with sterile saline spray during healing.

  • For some placements, it may be easier to apply saline using clean, non-woven gauze.

  • Allow the saline to rinse over the piercing and gently remove any softened discharge.

  • DO NOT rotate, twist or move your jewellery. Movement is unnecessary and can cause irritation.

  • DRY gently using clean, disposable paper towel or non-woven gauze.

  • Avoid cloth towels around a fresh piercing as they can harbour bacteria and snag on jewellery.

  • Avoid over-cleaning. Too much cleaning can irritate the piercing and delay healing.

What is Normal?

Initially

You may experience:

  • Some bleeding

  • Localised swelling

  • Tenderness

  • Bruising

  • Mild redness or discolouration

During Healing

You may notice:

  • Mild itching

  • Some discolouration

  • A whitish or yellowish secretion that can form crust on the jewellery

  • Some swelling or tenderness

  • The tissue tightening around the jewellery as it heals

These can all be normal parts of the healing process.

Remember

A piercing can look and feel healed before it actually is. Piercings heal from the outside in, meaning that although the outside may appear completely settled, the tissue inside can still be fragile.

Be patient and continue your aftercare throughout the entire healing period.

Even well-healed piercings can shrink or close surprisingly quickly when jewellery is removed. If you want to keep your piercing, keep jewellery in place.

What To Do

  • Wash your hands before touching your piercing.

  • Leave your piercing alone apart from necessary cleaning and jewellery care.

  • Do not rotate or move the jewellery.

  • Get enough sleep and maintain a nutritious diet.

  • Exercise is generally fine during healing, listen to your body and avoid activities that cause irritation or trauma to the piercing.

  • Keep bedding clean and change pillowcases regularly.

  • Wear clean, comfortable and breathable clothing that doesn't put unnecessary pressure or friction on the piercing.

  • Showers are generally preferable to baths. If you do take a bath, ensure the bath is thoroughly cleaned beforehand and rinse your piercing afterwards.

  • Keep anything that regularly comes into contact with your piercing clean, including phones, headphones, glasses, helmets and hats.

What To Avoid

  • Do not pick or pull at dried discharge or crust.

  • Do not move, twist or play with your jewellery.

  • Avoid unnecessary friction, pressure and trauma.

  • Avoid vigorous cleaning or scrubbing.

  • Avoid alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, Betadine, Hibiclens and other harsh products on your piercing.

  • Avoid antibacterial soaps and other harsh cleansing products unless specifically advised.

  • Avoid ointments, creams and other products that can interfere with airflow around the piercing.

  • Avoid Bactine, pierced ear care solutions and products containing Benzalkonium Chloride (BZK).

  • Avoid applying cosmetics, lotions, oils, perfumes, hairspray or other personal care products on or around the piercing.

  • Avoid hanging charms or other objects from your jewellery until the piercing is fully healed.

  • Avoid submerging a healing piercing in lakes, swimming pools, hot tubs, oceans and other bodies of water where possible. If submersion cannot be avoided, protect the piercing with an appropriate waterproof transparent film dressing.

  • Avoid anything that causes repeated irritation, including tight clothing, excessive movement or pressure while sleeping.

Jewellery & Downsizing

Unless there is a problem with the size, style or material of your initial jewellery, leave it in place as advised.

Initial jewellery is fitted with additional room to allow for normal swelling. Once that swelling has reduced, the jewellery may become too long. Jewellery that is too long can move excessively, snag and become irritated.

Many piercings require a downsize before they are fully healed.

Please remember:

  • Book your jewellery downsize once approximately 2mm of the jewellery is visibly sticking out naturally, without pushing, pulling or otherwise manipulating the jewellery.

  • Downsizing should be carried out by a professional piercer.

  • Do not change healing jewellery yourself.

  • In cases of excessive swelling, an upsize may be required before a downsize is possible.

  • If you have any concerns about your jewellery, contact me rather than removing or changing it yourself.

Looking After Your Jewellery

  • With clean hands, regularly check threaded ends to make sure they remain secure.

  • For threadless jewellery, check that the attachment remains properly seated.

  • Avoid unnecessary handling of your jewellery.

  • Keep jewellery in place throughout healing unless you have been specifically advised otherwise.

If your jewellery needs to be removed temporarily for a medical procedure or other reason, contact me first.

If you decide you no longer want your piercing, contact me if you'd like advice about removing the jewellery and caring for the area afterwards.

If You Think Something Is Wrong

If you are concerned about your piercing or think something may not be healing normally, contact me before making changes to your aftercare or removing the jewellery.

If you suspect an infection, seek medical attention. Do not remove the jewellery unless advised to do so by a medical professional. If jewellery is removed, the surface can close and may interfere with drainage.

Please remember that a piercing can become irritated for many reasons that aren't necessarily an infection. If you're unsure, send me a message and I'll help you work out what to do next.

Area-Specific Advice

Navel Piercings

Navel piercings can be particularly susceptible to pressure and friction from clothing.

  • Avoid tight or restrictive clothing that presses against the piercing.

  • Take extra care during exercise and activities where the piercing may be knocked or caught.

  • Keep waistbands and clothing clean.

  • If you need additional protection during physical activities, speak to me about suitable options.

Ear, Ear Cartilage & Facial Piercings

  • Change pillowcases regularly, particularly during the early stages of healing.

  • Keep phones, headphones, glasses, helmets, hats and other items that contact the area clean.

  • Take care when brushing or styling your hair.

  • Let your hairdresser or barber know that you have a healing piercing so they can take care around the area.

  • Avoid sleeping directly on a healing ear piercing where possible.

Nipple Piercings

  • Clean, supportive clothing can help protect the piercing and may feel more comfortable while sleeping.

  • Avoid unnecessary pressure, friction and impact.

  • Take extra care with clothing that could catch on the jewellery.

Oral Piercings

Oral piercings require some additional aftercare because the piercing is inside or around the mouth.

Oral Hygiene

  • Maintain good oral hygiene throughout the healing process.

  • Brush your teeth and tongue regularly using a clean, soft-bristled toothbrush.

  • Floss regularly.

  • Gently clean the jewellery with your toothbrush to prevent plaque build-up.

  • Rinse thoroughly with clean water after eating, drinking or smoking.

  • If using mouthwash, choose one that is alcohol-free and hydrogen-peroxide-free. Avoid overusing mouthwash as this can irritate the piercing.

For lip piercings, remember that both the inside and outside of the piercing require appropriate care.

Eating & Drinking

For the first few days, take your time when eating and be careful not to catch or bite the jewellery.

Cold foods and drinks can be soothing while swelling is present.

Avoid foods and drinks that cause discomfort or irritation, particularly very hot, spicy, salty or acidic foods during the initial healing period.

Avoid

  • Playing with or biting the jewellery.

  • Kissing, oral contact and other intimate contact with the piercing during healing.

  • Sharing cups, cutlery or other items that come into contact with the mouth.

  • Chewing gum, tobacco, fingernails, pens or other objects.

  • Using straws while significant swelling or bleeding is present.

  • Alcohol-containing or hydrogen-peroxide-containing mouthwash.

  • Excessive smoking or vaping, which can prolong healing.

As with all piercings, downsizing is important once the initial swelling has subsided. Overly long jewellery can cause unnecessary movement and, with oral piercings, may contribute to damage to teeth and gums.

Finally...

Healing a piercing takes time, and everyone's body heals differently. Don't panic if your piercing has good days and bad days during the healing process.

If something doesn't look or feel right, or you're simply unsure about something, please contact me. I'd much rather you ask than worry or make changes to your piercing without advice.