AFTERCARE

WHAT TO EXPECT
-Initially; some bleeding, localised swelling, tenderness or bruising.
-During healing; some discolouration, itching, secretion of a clear or white/yellow fluid that will form a crust.
-Once healed; the jewellery may not move freely in the piercing; do not force it. If you fail to include cleaning your body piercing as part of your daily hygiene routine, normal but smelly body secretions may accumulate.
-Piercings can take a long time to heal & may often look healed before they are.

WHAT TO DO
-Thoroughly wash hands with liquid soap before touching the site of your piercing.
-Initially clean piercing twice per day with a sterile saline solution preferably Neilmed.
-Spray onto the area, you may use a cotton bud in hard to reach areas.
-Once clean dry the area with a clean cotton bud.
-When the piercing starts secreting less fluid clean once daily, at alternate times of the day to when you shower.
-After cleaning check all balls/attachments are on securely.
-Do come back when suggested to downsize your jewellery, failure to do so can cause migration, delayed healing & prevent the piercing healing straight.
-Take care when exercising, styling hair etc.

WHAT NOT TO DO
-Play with your piercing.
-Rotate your piercing.
-Sleep on your piercing (change bedding after receiving a new piercing & regularly whilst healing).
-Use earphones or telephones on the pierced ear until healed.
-Allow oral contact with piercings until fully healed.
-Allow piercings to swell beyond the capacity of the jewellery, should you experience extreme swelling contact the studio immediately so that jewellery can be upsized.
-Submerge your piercing in water including; lakes, pools, hot tubs etc. Continue to shower as normal.
-Change jewellery prematurely.
-Use beauty products/lotions on the piercing during healing, when showering make sure to remove all traces of shampoos etc.
-Use aftercare that has not been suggested e.g. Savlon, TCP etc.

NIPPLE & BELLY BUTTON CARE
-Tight & unbreathable clothing can cause problems with new piercings as it does not allow the air to circulate & applies pressure to the piercings which could cause them to migrate.
-Loose clothing should be worn, & a slightly padded plain bra can ease irritation, prevent catching in nipple piercings.
-Waist bands should be worn below the piercing to ease irritation.
-Irritation from sports can cause problems & if possible should be avoided during the healing time.

ORAL PIERCING CARE
-Swelling is to be expected.
-Relax the tongue, no tricks or playing with the jewellery.
-No hot drinks/spicy food/chewy food or oral contact for the first 4/5 days.
-Eat soft foods; soup, mashed potato etc.
-Reduce smoking and alcohol consumption.
-Rinse after eating/smoking with clean bottled water.
-Clean outside of piercing with sterile saline solution.
-Cold food/drinks helps reduce swelling.
-Return after 2 weeks to downsize jewellery.

MICRODERMAL & SURFACE PIERCING CARE
-Wear bandages provided for first 48 hours - change every 8 hours.
-Clean with sterile saline solution & dry thoroughly
-Wear bandages provided whilst sleeping for the first week if you feel the need to prevent catching, do not wear plasters.
-Be careful not to catch, play with the piercing.
-If signs of rejection occur (dry red skin covering the area of the jewellery you cannot see) then please contact the studio immediately.
-Do not submerge in water; pools, baths, lakes, hot tubs etc.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS PLEASE CONTACT THE STUDIO IMMEDIATELY
-If swelling cannot be reduced with cleaning, elevation, or ice packs a longer piece of jewellery may be needed.
-Infections are rare however may occur & are usually nothing to worry about. Unfortunately the world outside the piercing rooms is not sterile. An infection may present as; an increase in soreness, colour change to the piercing site, a brown/green discharge, extreme swelling, the area hot to the touch.
-If you suspect you have an infection continue to follow the aftercare advice & get in touch, do not remove the jewellery, this may trap the infection.
-If you start to feel unwell or run a fever do not hesitate to contact your doctor but please keep us updated.

CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR NEW PIERCING! IF ALL OF THE ABOVE ADVICE IS TAKEN YOUR ARE WELL ON YOUR WAY TO HAVING A HEALTHY PIERCING. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS NO MATTER HOW SMALL PLEASE GET IN TOUCH WE WILL BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO HELP.