Piercing Aftercare and Healing
Piercings generally take longer to heal than tattoos. They are also more prone to complications such as piercing bumps, irritation, swelling, rejection etc, which are caused by various factors. And as there are different types of piercings and body configurations, the healing and treatment process would differ from a situation to another. Below would be the general aftercare guidelines for piercing aftercare; should there be an urgent need to consult with your piercer on a piercing emergency, clients may contact their piercer directly or reach us through the contact number provided in your booking details.
Cleaning Solution
A pressurized spray can of sterile 0.9% saline solution would be the most recommended aftercare solution. To use, spray the solution directly onto a cotton bud. Let the cotton sit on the pierced area for a few seconds. Gently wipe away blood crusts, dirt and/or puss clogging piercing exits. Do the cleaning twice a day, in the morning after taking a bath and before going to bed.
If you do not have the recommended aftercare spray, you can also buy a 0.9% Sodium Chloride solution from local drugstores. It has a shelf life of 24 hrs from being opened and can last up to 3 days when refrigerated. You would need a sterile syringe to extract the solution from the container to which you will soak a cotton ball to be used for cleaning the piercing area.
The least recommended option for aftercare would be a DIY sea salt solution made by dissolving 1/4 tsp of non-iodized sea salt in a cup of warm distilled water. This solution is non-sterile and the salt to water ratio must be followed accurately.
Be careful not to use alcohol, betadine or any harsh cleaning agents in cleaning your piercings.
There are a few things to avoid during the healing process: do not play with the jewelry, make sure to keep your hair from accidentally pulling your piercings and avoid headwear that apply pressure over the area. Keep the area from contact with chemicals such as hair dyes, hair bleach, conditioner, lotion, etc, that may burn, clog or irritate the piercing wound. Do also avoid swimming, ideally, until the piercing heals. Lastly, do not sleep on it.
Piercing bumps are common occurrences. However, as they are caused by different factors, it will be best to consult your piercer directly in treating your bumps. Despite piercing bumps, do not remove your jewelry; leave it in at all times.
As jewelries are foreign objects, the body may adapt to the piercing or gradually push it out. While the latter is a rare occurrence, signs of migration and rejection would show in movement of piercing away from initial placement, widening of the surrounding skin hole, flakiness, prolonged irritation, etc. It will be best to consult your piercer for signs of rejection.
After at least six weeks, you may schedule for a downsizing to avoid piercing bumps, irritation, crust buildup, unnecessary tugging or other complications, and for generally smoother healing.