Piercing Aftercare Guide

The Golden Rules of Aftercare

Hands Off

  • Do not touch, twist, or pick at your new piercing.
  • Every time you touch it, you introduce bacteria. That’s the leading cause of irritation and infection.
  • Leave the crusties alone. They’re a normal part of healing and will come off on their own during cleaning.

Clean Twice a Day

  • Wash your hands with antibacterial soap before you touch the area around your piercing.
  • Spray the piercing with a sterile saline wound wash (0.9% sodium chloride) once or twice a day.
  • Pat the area dry with a clean, disposable paper towel. Skip cloth towels. They hold bacteria and can snag on jewelry.

What to Avoid?

What to Avoid

Why
Alcohol and hydrogen peroxide Both are too harsh. They dry out the skin and kill the new cells healing your piercing.
Ointments and Neosporin Thick creams block airflow and trap bacteria inside the piercing channel.
Submerging in water Stay out of pools, hot tubs, lakes, and baths until you heal. Showers are fine.
Changing jewelry too early Taking jewelry out too soon can close the piercing instantly or damage the tissue still healing inside.

Estimated Healing Times

  • Lobe: 6 to 8 weeks
  • Cartilage (helix, tragus, conch, rook, and others): 8 to 12 months
  • Nose or nostril: 6 to 8 months
  • Septum: 6 to 8 months
  • Navel (belly button): 6 to 12 months
  • Nipple: 9 to 12 months

Healing time varies by body and by piercing location. A piercing can look healed on the outside long before it’s healed on the inside.

Estimated Healing Times

What’s normal (the healing process)

In the first few weeks, expect some redness, swelling, tenderness, and mild throbbing. A clear or pale-yellow fluid may ooze and crust around the jewelry. That’s lymphatic fluid, and it’s completely normal.

What’s not normal (signs of infection)

If you notice any of these, do not remove the jewelry. Come see us right away, or talk to a healthcare professional.

  • Severe or worsening pain or burning
  • Excessive dark green or thick yellow pus
  • The area feels hot to the touch, or you see red streaks spreading from it
  • Fever, chills, or nausea

Downsizing Your Jewelry

Most first piercings use a longer post to leave room for swelling. Once the swelling goes down, usually within 4 to 8 weeks, go back to the studio to downsize your jewelry.

Leave a long post in too long and the piercing can shift angle, snag, or develop irritation bumps.

Need Help or Have Questions?

If you’re not sure how your piercing is healing, or you think it might be time for a downsize, don’t guess. Visit our studio or give us a call. We’re here to help you through the process.