Aftercare
Taking care of your new piercing is key to making sure it heals properly and looks great for years to come. While your body does most of the healing work on its own, the right aftercare helps prevent irritation, buildup, and infection. Below, you’ll find general tips on what to do (and what to avoid), plus average healing times and specific instructions based on the type of piercing you received or are interested in. You can also download a free care sheet in each section! If you have questions or problems come up during the healing process, don’t hesitate to reach out—we’re here to help.
General Aftercare Instructions:
DOs:
- Wash Hands Before Touching – Always clean your hands before handling your piercing.
- Use Saline Solution or Warm Water– Clean twice daily with sterile saline wound wash or warm water in the shower; avoid using homemade mixes or harsh cleansers.
- Keep Your Piercing Dry- Piercings like to be clean and dry, so be sure you pat it dry with a clean paper towel or gauze after showers and cleanings. Excess moisture can cause irritation.
- Stick to Your Jewelry – Keep your original jewelry in place until the piercing is fully healed. See piercing drop down menus below for average healing times.
- Check Jewelry Regularly – During your daily cleanings, check beads or ends for tightness—body jewelry can loosen on its own.
- Be Gentle and Consistent – Clean gently and consistently, without overdoing it; allow your body to do the healing.
- Downsize Excess Length on Posts– Once the swelling is gone, get a more fitted post to prevent snags and angle shifts. If you got pierced here, we will send you a reminder email around the time it should be ready for a shorter post if one is needed for your piercing.
DO NOTs:
- Avoid Harsh Cleansers – Do not use alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, Bactine, iodine, or antibacterial soaps, as they are too strong and damage healing tissue.
- Avoid Ointments and Lotions – These clog the piercing channel and block airflow, which is essential for healing.
- Don’t Use Essential Oils – Oils like tea tree oil are far too strong for open wounds and can cause chemical burns.
- Avoid Trauma to the Area – Be mindful of pressure from sleeping, clothing friction, excessive movement, or over-cleaning.
- Don’t Submerge in Water – Keep your piercing out of lakes, pools, hot tubs, bathtubs, oceans, and water parks until healed.
- Avoid Touching or Twisting – There is no need to rotate or play with your jewelry—even while cleaning. Just clean around it and allow it to move on it’s own.