WHAT TO EXPECT
These guidelines ensure that your piercing heals safely and stays healthy throughout its life. Be sure to follow the care routine consistently, and let your piercer know if you have any concerns.
Initially After Piercing
-
Common Reactions: Some bleeding, swelling, redness, and bruising may occur right after the piercing.
-
Managing Swelling: Use ice and ibuprofen to reduce swelling. Do not use acetaminophen (Tylenol) as it is a blood thinner and can cause prolonged bleeding
During the Healing Process
-
What to Expect: It is normal to experience discoloration, itching, and a secretion of whitish/yellowish fluid or blood that may crust around the piercing.
-
Important Tip: Do not scratch or pick at your piercing. This can lead to irritation or infection.
Once Your Piercing is Healed
-
Jewelry Movement: Your jewelry may not always move freely, especially in more sensitive areas like the nipples or septum. Do not force the jewelry to move.
-
If movement is restricted, clean the area to remove any crusts. You can apply Jojoba oil to help with lubrication and ease of movement.
-
-
Body Secretions: If you fail to clean the piercing as part of your daily hygiene routine, smelly body secretions may accumulate, even after the piercing is healed.
Healing Takes Time
-
Your piercing may appear healed before it is fully healed, but trust that it is still healing underneath. Be patient, and continue cleaning throughout the entire healing period.
-
Even after years of having a piercing, it can still shrink or close quickly if the jewelry is removed. If you need to take your piercing out for work, medical reasons, or other purposes, it is recommended to use retainers to keep the piercing from closing.
BE ADVISED
WARNING SIGNS OF AN INFECTION: The warning signs of an infection include prolonged pain, swelling, excessive discharge that has a foul odor, severe discoloration, piercing will be hot to the touch. The most common cause of infection is repeatedly touching a piercing with unclean hands. If you suspect an infection, please consult with your piercer first and then you may need to follow up with your physician. DO NOT REMOVE JEWELRY FROM A SUSPECTED INFECTED PIERCING. IF PIERCING IS INFECTED REMOVING THE JEWELRY MAY CAUSE INFECTION TO SPREAD. LET YOUR PIERCER EXAMINE IT FIRST.
​
WARNING SIGNS OF REJECTION: Skin gets thinner and jewelry appears to get longer. Rejection can happen with any piercing, but is more common in surface piercings like eyebrow or navel. Rejection can happen for a few reasons or may be just your body’s way of ridding itself of the foreign object. If rejection occurs during the healing time please consult your piercer. If rejection happens after your piercing is healed the only option is removing it. IT WILL NOT STOP REJECTING AND WILL EVENTUALLY PUSH ITSELF ALL THE WAY OUT OF YOUR BODY. WHILE THIS PROCESS IS PAINLESS IT WILL LEAVE A NASTY SCAR.