Piercing Aftercare

GENERAL

WASH your hands thoroughly prior to cleaning or touching your piercing for any reason.
SPRAY with sterile saline wound wash while healing. Moving or rotating jewelry is not necessary during cleaning/rinsing and may actually irritate the piercing.
DRY with clean, disposable products like gauze or cotton swabs, gentlyremoving any crusty debris or build up. Cloth towels should be avoided as they can harbor bacteria and snag on jewelry.
Wash your hands prior to touching the piercing; leave the piercing alone except when cleaning.
During healing, do not twist, spin, or rotate your jewelry.
Exercise and sweating during healing is fine. Avoid activities that could jostle or aggravate the piercing. Keep the piercing protected from bacteria present on gym equipment or exercise mats.
Make sure your bedding is washed and changed regularly. Wear clean, comfortable, breathable clothing that protects your piercing while you are sleeping.
Showers tend to be safer than taking baths, as bathtubs can harbor bacteria. If you bathe in a tub, clean it well before each use and rinse off your piercing when you get out.

Mixing your own sea salt solution is no longer a suggested practice from the APP. Mixing your own sea salt solution will commonly result in the product being far too salty and strong, this can over dry the piercing and interfere with healing. We strongly encourage you to use a sterile saline, labeled for use as a wound wash. Your saline ingredients should list .09% sodium chloride as the only ingredient (sometimes purified water will be listed). Additives like moisturizers and antibacterials should be avoided, as well as similar sounding products like contact lens saline, nasal spray, or eye drops.

You can protect your piercing from excess irritation, physical trauma from activities like sports, or tight clothing with a hard, vented eye patch (sold at pharmacies). To avoid irritation from adhesive/medical tape, you can secure it over your piercing using tights/stockings or using a length of elastic/ace-type bandage around your body.

Clean bedding and pillow cases are important. You can use the t-shirt trick: slip your pillow in a large, clean t-shirt. You can get up to four clean surfaces for sleeping by rotating the pillow and turning the t-shirt inside out.
Surfaces like phones, headphones, eyeglasses, etc can be cleaned with an appropriate disinfectant. Items like hats, scarves, headbands, etc should be washed regularly.
Use caution when styling your hair and advise your stylist of a new or healing piercing.
Sleeping directly on a healing cartilage piercing can cause irritation, even causing shifts in the piercing’s angle. Placing a travel pillow, on top of your pillow, and then placing your ear in the opening can be helpful to avoid this

The support of a tight cotton shirt or sports bra may provide protection and feel comfortable, especially for sleeping.

Genital Piercings – especially Triangles, Prince Alberts, Ampallangs, and Apadravyas – can bleed freely for the first few days. Be prepared. Additional cleaning after urination is not necessary
Wash your hands before touching (directly or near-by) a healing piercing.
In most cases you can engage in sexual activity as soon as you feel ready, but maintaining hygiene and avoiding trauma are vital; all sexual activities should be gentle during the healing period.
Use barriers such as condoms, dental dams, and waterproof bandages, etc. to avoid contact with your partners’ body fluids, even in long-term monogamous relationships.
Use protection on sex toys, too.
Use a new container of water-based lubricant; do not use saliva.
Showering after intercourse is suggested.

SURFACE ANCHORS:

These piercings require maintenance during their entire lifetime because matter can build up underneath the threaded top causing the piercing to become irritated. Saline and/or shower rinses may be helpful with removing matter from underneath the threaded top.
Avoid putting makeup on these piercings even after healing.
Even with proper care, surface anchors may be less permanent than other body piercings.

ALTERNATIVE AFTERCARE

Aftercare is an evolving conversation in the progression of body piercing. Aftercare needs can differ from one region or climate to another. Additionally, not all products are widely available. New products may come to the market. It’s best to discuss your specific needs with your local body piercer.
If you choose to use soap on a healing piercing consider using a gentle soap free from harsh chemicals, dyes, and perfumes. The use of an antibacterial soap is not suggested as it may over-dry and irritate your piercing. If your piercer suggests the use of a soap, be sure to fully rinse away the product after use.
If sterile saline is not available in your region, focus on keeping the piercing clean by rinsing well during regular showering. . Check in with a local piercer for additional regional aftercare suggestions.

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919-535-3333