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Dermal Body Piercing Aftercare
SUPPLIES
· Non-irritating, mild liquid antimicrobial soap (satin brand is
recommended)
· Sea salt (table salt will work as a temporary substitute and do not
use Epsom salt)
· Distilled or filtered water
 CLEANING
· During the first 7-10 days do not move the jewelry. During this initial
healing period clean around the piercing only in the shower after you have
done your normal bathing routine. Please do not clean the piercing at the sink.
First clean your hands with antibacterial soap. Let the shower water dissolve
any crusty matter (usually lymph tissue). Lather antibacterial soap around
both sides of the piercing, and rinse area.
· After you have had the piercing for 7-10 days clean the piercing once
a day in the shower after you have done your normal bathing routine. Do not
clean the piercing at the sink. First clean your hands with antibacterial soap.
Let the shower water dissolve any crusty matter (usually lymph tissue). Remove
any excess matter from both sides of the jewelry without moving this matter
into the piercing. After the entrance and exit holes are clean, lather the
entire area with antibacterial soap. Gently work the soap into the piercing
(a ring should be rocked back and forth, a barbell should be moved up and down).
Thoroughly rinse all soap from the piercing.
· Once a day, starting immediately, soak your piercing in a saltwater
solution. Place 8 ounces (1 cup) of warm distilled water in a bowl or cup (do
not use cotton balls or q-tips). Dissolve ¼ teaspoon of salt into the
water. Cover piercing with the bowl or cup containing the saltwater solution.
Soak for 10 minutes. Rinse the piercing with fresh distilled water. Continue
the saltwater soaks for the full healing period.
ADDITIONAL AFTERCARE AND PRECAUTIONS
· Do not move the jewelry unless crusty matter has been removed from
the jewelry. Irritation and infection can occur when crusty matter is forced
into a new piercing.
· Avoid all beauty and personal care products on or around the piercing
including cosmetics, lotions, and sprays, etc…
· Do not use alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, antibiotic ointments, betadine
or iodine, hibiclens, ear care solution or bactine, or any other first aid
product.
· Avoid oral or sexual contact with the piercing for the full healing
period
· Avoid touching the piercing with dirty hands. Always wash your hands
before touching the piercing.
· Avoid picking at or playing with a new piercing. Try not to hit, pull,
or snag the piercing. Avoid clothes that sit tight against a new piercing.
Irritation and infection can possibly occur.
· Avoid swimming in lakes, pools, rivers, etc.
· Do not remove the jewelry from the piercing until fully healed. If
the jewelry is left out, the piercing may shrink or close.
· If the jewelry has screw on balls or beads (i.e. barbell) check and
make sure the beads remain tight on the jewelry. This is best done after cleaning
when hands and jewelry are dry.
· Do not over clean the piercing.
· Do not hang charms or any object from your jewelry until the piercing
is fully healed.
· Do not stop cleaning the piercing before it is healed.
· If a piercing should appear to be rejecting or growing out please
consult us to determine an appropriate course of action.
What is normal?
· Initially: some bleeding, localized swelling, tenderness, or bruising.
· During healing: some discoloration, itching, secretion of a whitish-yellow
fluid (not pus) that will form some crust on the jewelry. The tissue may tighten
around the jewelry as it heals.
· Once healed: the jewelry may not move freely in the piercing; DO NOT
force it. If you fail to include cleaning your piercing as a part of your daily
hygiene routine, normal but smelly bodily secretions may accumulate.
· A piercing may seem healed before healing is complete, this is because
piercings heal from the outside in, and although it feels healed the tissue
remains fragile on the inside. BE PATIENT, and keep cleaning throughout the
entire healing period.
· Even healed piercings can shrink or close in minutes after having
been there for years! This varies from person to person; if you like your piercing,
leave the jewelry in place.
What to do?
· Stay healthy. Get enough sleep and eat a nutritious diet. The healthier
your lifestyle, the easier it will be for your piercing to heal. Exercise
during healing is fine, just “listen” to your body.
· Make sure your bedding is kept clean and changed regularly. Wear clean,
comfortable, breathable clothing that protects your piercing while sleeping.
· Showering is safer than taking a bath, because bathtubs tend to harbor
bacteria. If you would like to take a bath, clean the tub well before each
use.
Hints and Tips
Jewelry
· Unless there is a problem with the size, style, or material of the
initial jewelry, leave it in place for the entire healing period. A qualified
piercer should perform any necessary jewelry change that occurs during healing.
· Contact your piercer if your jewelry must be temporarily removed (such
as for a medical procedure). There are non-metallic jewelry alternatives.
· Leave jewelry in at all times. Even old, well-healed piercings can
shrink or close in minutes after having been there for years! If removed re-insertion
can be difficult or impossible.
· With clean hands or paper product, be sure to regularly check threaded
ends on your jewelry for tightness. (“Righty-tighty, Lefty-loosey”)
· Carry a clean spare ball in case of loss or breakage.
· Should you decide you no longer want the piercing, seek professional
help in the removal of the jewelry and continue cleaning the piercing until
the hole closes. In most cases only a small indentation will remain.
For particular areas:
Navel
· A hard, vented eye patch (sold at pharmacies) can be applied under
tight clothing (such as nylon stockings) or secured using a length of ace
bandage around the body (to avoid irritation from adhesive). This can protect
the area from restrictive clothing, excess irritation, and impact during
physical activities such as contact sports.
Ear/Ear Cartilage and Facial
· Use the t-shirt trick: dress your pillow in a large, clean t-shirt
and turn it nightly; one clean t-shirt provides four clean surfaces for sleeping.
· Maintain cleanliness of telephones, headphones, eyeglasses, helmets,
hats and anything that contacts the pierced area.
· Use caution when styling your hair and advise your stylist of a new
or healing piercing.
Nipple
· The support of a tight cotton shirt or sports bra may provide protection
and feel comfortable, especially for sleeping.
Genital
· In most cases you can engage in sexual activity as soon as you
feel ready. Comfort and hygiene are vital.
· During healing all sexual activities must be gentle.
· To increase comfort and decrease trauma, soak in warm saline solution
or plain water to remove any crusty matter, prior to sexual activity.
· Use barriers such as condoms, dental dams, and Tegaderm, etc. to avoid
contact with a partner’s body fluids, even in long-term relationships.
· Use clean, disposable barriers on sex toys.
· Wash hands before touching on or near the piercing.
· Use a new container of water based lubricant. Do not use your own
saliva as a lubricant.
· After sex, an additional saline soak or clean water rinse is suggested.
· Prince Albert and Apadravya piercings can bleed freely for the first
few days.
· If using soap, urinate after cleaning any piercing that is near the
urethra.
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