PIERCING AFTERCARE
This advice is provided as a written reminder of the aftercare advised by your practitioner.
BEFORE TOUCHING THE PIERCING WASH YOUR HANDS THOROUGHLY EVERY SINGLE TIME. IF YOUR JEWELLERY HAS MOVABLE PARTS, ENSURE THEY ARE TIGHTENED EVERY TIME YOU CLEAN.
The more you play with a fresh piercing, the longer it will take to heal. You will also raise the risk of infection. Removing jewellery during the healing process should be avoided. Avoid tanning oils, lotions, sand and tight fitting clothes that might irritate a new body piercing. Do not soak a healing piercing in dirty water like a swimming pool, spa, or sea water. Do not ever use alcohol, peroxide or anything not listed in your aftercare unless directed by a doctor.
1. EYEBROW, NOSTRIL, SEPTUM, EARS AND CARTILAGE: Wash your hands thoroughly before handling jewellery. Do not touch your jewellery or the piercing site unless you are cleaning it. You need to clean the piercing 2 to 3 times a day. The best cleanser to use is salt water or an antibacterial soap such as sidal or hibiclens. Once your hands are clean, use the cleaning solution according to instructions to rinse away any secretions. Begin by washing and rinsing the area thoroughly. Repeat this step a total of three times and then give a final rinse. Do not remove your jewellery during the healing process. It is important not to leave any soap on the jewellery or the pierced area. The average healing time for these piercings is about 8 weeks, although cartilage piercings can take up to 3 or 4 months to fully heal.
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2. NIPPLES AND NAVELS: After 2 hours take the dressing of the piercing (if your piercing has one). The cleaning procedure is the same as above. The healing time ranges from 4 to 6 months on the low end and up to a year for many people. These piercings are deep so don’t stop with your aftercare too soon - they are still healing inside. It is best to continue with the aftercare for a short period after the piercing is completely healed.
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3. TONGUES: You will need to rinse with a 50/50 mixture of listerine and water. Rinse first thing in the morning, last thing before bed, and any time anything goes into your mouth other than water (such as food, soda, cigarettes, fizzy drinks etc.). You will rinse at least 12 - 24 times a day. Do not use full strength listerine which could cause chemical burns and damage taste buds. Do not drink beer during the healing process which could cause a yeast infection. Ice does help the swelling, as well as anti-inflammatory medicine such as ibuprofen. The swelling usually lasts anywhere from 1 to 4 days. Do not participate in any wet kissing or oral sex for 3 weeks. Colds and viruses can be passed through semen and vaginal fluids and can cause extreme swelling and possible infection. The healing time for oral piercings is 4 - 6 weeks.
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4. LIPS, LABRETS AND CHEEKS: follow the aftercare instructions in paragraph 1 for external and paragraph 3 for the internal piercing sites. The healing time will be approximately 8-12 weeks.
IF YOU DO NOT FOLLOW THESE AFTER CARE INSTRUCTIONS PLAN9EALING WILL NOT BE HELD LIABLE FOR ENSUING INFECTION.
DO NOT CHANGE THE JEWELLERY UNTIL AFTER THE HEALING TIME.