BODY PIERCING AFTERCARE & HEALING GUIDE
The piercing is instantaneous; the acceptance of the jewelry is a journey.
The Philosophy: Minimal Intervention
Your body is intelligent. It knows how to heal. Your goal is simply to remove obstacles—such as bacteria, friction, and movement—so it can do its job. The best way to keep your piercing clean is by maintaining your normal clean hygiene routine to keep dirt away from the area, allowing your immune system to handle the rest.
The Daily Ritual
Irrigate: Twice daily, spray the front and back of your piercing with sterile saline solution (NeilMed Piercing Aftercare) or rinse it with plain water in a clean shower. For oral piercings, frequently rinse with purified water to clear away debris.
Dry: Gently dry the area with non-woven gauze or a clean paper towel. Moisture is an obstacle to healing.
Protect: Avoid sleeping or laying on your new piercing. Continuous pressure can shift the angle of the channel or cause migration. We highly recommend using a travel pillow for ear projects.
What to Avoid
To protect the integrity of the healing tissue, strictly adhere to the following restrictions:
- No Movement: Do not touch, twist, rotate, or pick at your jewelry. Avoid picking at fluid buildup ("crusties"); they will naturally soften and rinse away during your shower or saline spray routine.
- No Harsh Chemicals: Do not use alcohol, peroxide, tea tree oil, soaps, cosmetics, or lotions directly on or around the piercing and jewelry, as these frequently produce severe irritation.
- No Submersion: Keep fresh piercings entirely out of pools, hot tubs, lakes, oceans, or any water source outside of a standard shower until fully healed.
- No Fluid Exchange: Keep other people off the area; avoid kissing or sexual contact involving a fresh piercing.
The Downsize
We intentionally pierce with a longer post or larger initial piece of jewelry to safely allow for natural swelling. Once that swelling subsides, the initial jewelry will be too long.
It is imperative that you return to the studio for a shorter, fitted post. This "downsize" prevents frequent catching or snagging and ensures the angle of the piercing remains true. Failing to downsize can cause the jewelry to shift permanently.
Not all piercings require a downsize, if you are unsure reach out to us!