Piercing Info - Aftercare
If you've followed my advice about finding a good piercer, you now have a piercing that has been performed professionally and appropriately using the best in modern techniques and jewellery.
The next stage is the aftercare. Your piercing will take time to heal and needs to be cared for properly.
Your body has a remarkable ability to heal itself. When you have a cut your skin heals, usually infection-free as long as you leave it alone. We all know that picking scabs can cause infection and scarring, and that knocking or banging cuts or wounds just opens them up again so that they become sore and never heal. The same is also true about your piercing.
Over cleaning your piercing will irritate it, causing it to take longer to heal or even develop problems that could cause your body to reject the jewellery so it's really important to clean it only when stated.
Follow the guide lines below. At the time of your piercing the following guidelines will be explained in much more detail.
Tea Tree Oil
(Not to be used on babies 0-12 months or infants 1-5 years)
This essential oil has a strong medicinal smell. It has many qualities, being anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and a powerful immune system stimulant.
It is active against bacteria, fungi and viruses. It is an antibiotic and a powerful immune stimulant. Australian Aborigines used the leaves to treat cuts and skin infections. They would crush the leaves and apply them to the affected area. You will use a simpler method. You will get a free bottle of tea tree with your piercing.
Cleaning Procedure
Once you are home remove the patch (if there is one) and relax in a salt bath. Gently pat the wound dry. DO NOT RUB.
You need to start using the Tea-Tree essential oil the following day.
ALWAYS MAKE SURE YOU WASH YOUR HANDS BEFORE CLEANING YOUR PIERCING.
- 1. Place 2 drops of Tea-Tree oil into a tsp of water. Mix with a cotton bud.
- 2. Clean away any dried-matter that may be around the jewellery or wound with the Tea-Tree and water solution using the cotton bud.
You will need to do this cleaning regime once in the morning and once at night for two weeks only.
| Piercing & Estimated Healing Time | Recommended Ideal Jewellery to help with healing | Recommended special care |
|---|---|---|
| EAR: LOBE: 2/4 MONTHS. CARTILAGE: UP TO 2 YEARS |
BCR (RING) JEWELLERY CAN BE CHANGED AFTER 2 WEEKS. |
2 drops of Tea-Tree oil mixed with a tsp of water twice daily for two weeks. |
| NOSTRIL 4 MONTHS |
BCR (RING) OR NOSE WIRE JEWELLERY CAN BE CHANGED AFTER 2 WEEKS |
2 DROPS OF TEA-TREE OIL MIXED WITH A TSP OF WATER TWICE DAILY FOR TWO WEEKS. |
| TRAGUS 4 MONTHS |
BCR (RING) JEWELLERY CAN BE CHANGED AFTER 1 MONTH |
2 DROPS OF TEA-TREE OIL MIXED WITH A TSP OF WATER TWICE DAILY FOR TWO WEEKS. |
| NAVEL 8 MONTHS |
BANANABAR (AS ABOVE) |
- SALT BATH ON DAY OF PIERCING - 2 DROPS OF TEA-TREE OIL MIXED WITH A TSP OF WATER TWICE DAILY FOR TWO WEEKS. |
| NIPPLE 6 MONTHS |
BARBELL (AS ABOVE) |
- SALT BATH ON DAY OF PIERCING - 2 DROPS OF TEA-TREE OIL MIXED WITH A TSP OF WATER TWICE DAILY FOR TWO WEEKS. |
| EYEBROW 4 MONTHS |
BARBELL (AS ABOVE) |
2 DROPS OF TEA-TREE OIL MIXED WITH A TSP OF WATER TWICE DAILY FOR TWO WEEKS. |
| TONGUE 4 WEEKS A QUICK HEALER DUE TO ENZYMES PRESENT IN THE SALIVA. |
BARBELL ONLY. A LARGER BARBELL IS FITTED TO ALLOW FOR SWELLING OF THE TONGUE. THIS MUST BE CHANGED TO A SMALLER BARBELL 7 DAYS LATER. |
- RINSE WITH DILUTED ANTISEPTIC MOUTHWASH MORNING AND NIGHT. - GARGLE WITH SALT WATER AFTER EVERY MEAL. - COLD DRINKS WILL HELP THE SWELLING TO GO DOWN. - DO NOT HAVE HOT DRINKS OR SPICY FOOD FOR SEVEN DAYS. - STOP OR REDUCE SMOKING. - TAKE PAINKILLERS IF ANY DISCOMFORT. - IT IS NORMAL FOR THE TONGUE TO CHANGE COLOUR,THIS WILL DISAPPEAR WHEN THE TONGUE IS FULLY HEALED. |
| LABRET, LIP & BEAUTY SPOT 4 WEEKS |
LABRET STUD OR BCR. (RING) (AS ABOVE) |
- DILUTED ANTISEPTIC MOUTHWASH. - SALT & WATER TWICE A DAY. - COLD DRINKS WILL HELP ANY SWELLING TO GO DOWN. |