Nick Holes

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PIERCING AFTERCARE
Ear and Body Piercings
Cleaning Solutions:
Using a mild anti-bacterial/microbial soap such as Dial or Soft Soap with no perfumes, and water is most recommended. Sea Salt soaks can also help healing when done correctly.

Cleaning Instructions:
Body Piercings should be cleaned twice daily for the entire initial healing period. They should be cleaned once daily after that for the life of the piercing. It is usually easiest to clean piercings at the end of a shower.

1.Wash your hands thoroughly. Never touch your piercing with dirty hands.
2.Let warm water run over the piercing to help soften any crusted material around the jewelry. Then remove the crusted material with a cotton swab.
3.Apply the cleaning solution to the area. Clean the area and the piercing. Then gently rotate the jewelry back and forth a few times allowing the solution to clean the inside of the piercing. Rotating the jewelry may be hard or impossible at first. Be sure to do your best to accomplish this.
4.Leave the solution to cleanse the piercing for 1-2 minutes.
5.Rinse the area with warm, clean water while rotating the jewelry to completely remove the solution from the inside and outside of the piercing.
6.Pat dry the area with a disposable paper product or a clean towel.

What is Normal:
Bleeding, bruising, and/or swelling are not uncommon. These are not an indication of any problem. Try to stay away from aspirin and alcohol. If needed, Ibuprofen may be taken to help minimize swelling.

The area may be a little sore, or tender to the touch. Also there may be some stinging, burning, or itching during the first few days.

Secretion of a fluid that contains plasma, lymph, and dead cells is perfectly normal. The liquid is usually white, light yellow, or clear. This is the material that crusts on the jewelry when it dries. This is not pus, it indicates that the piercing is healing.

Piercings may have a tendency to have series of “ups and downs” during healing by seeming healed and then regressing. Try to be patient and keep to your cleaning schedule during the entire healing period, even if the piercing seems healed earlier.

What to Avoid:
Never use alcohol, peroxide, or Betadine because they are to harsh, and can dry out the piercing causing a longer healing period.

Never use Bacitracin, Neosporin, or any other ointment. They prevent oxygen from getting to the piercing. Never clean more than two times a day. Over cleaning is worse than under cleaning.

Avoid oral contact to the area for at least two weeks. After any oral contact clean immediately during the initial healing period.

Keep the piercing uncovered and exposed to air as much as possible.

Listen to your body. If it hurts, avoid that activity for a week and then try again.

Avoid wearing constrictive clothing that puts stress on the piercing.

Leave the jewelry in for the entire healing period. Removing for only a few minutes during the initial healing period may result in the loss of the piercing.

Oral Piercings
Cleaning Solutions:
Using Biotene, Tech 2000, or any other alcohol free anti-bacterial/microbial mouthwash is most recommended. If Listerine is being used, first dilute 50/50 with water. These products are available in the oral hygiene section of most drug stores. Be sure to read all product information before use.

Cleaning Instructions:
1.Rinse out with the cleaning solution for 30-60 seconds after any eating, drinking, or smoking.
2.If the piecing is also outside of the mouth, (lip, labret, Monroe, etc.) follow the instructions for the body piercing as well.

What is Normal:
Swelling of the area is perfectly normal during the first part of the healing. Sucking on ice can help bring down the swelling. The less you play with it, and the less unnecessary talking you do, helps the swelling go down as well. If desired, taking Ibuprofen will also help with the swelling. Swelling usually lasts anywhere from 3-7 days.

Some bleeding off and on for the first few days is not uncommon.

Don’t be alarmed if you see a fairly liquid, white or light yellow secretion coming from the piercing. This is plasma, lymph, or dead cells, and is perfectly normal. This is the same material the usually crusts on a body piercing, but inside the mouth it doesn’t have a chance to crust. This is not pus, but a sign of a healing piercing.

While you are getting used to your new piercing we recommend eating, and talking slowly. You will most likely bite the jewelry. Doing everything slowly will lower your chances of damaging your teeth.

What to Avoid:
Avoid oral contact for at least two weeks. This is anywhere from kissing to nail biting. After any oral contact, rinse your mouth out immediately during the initial healing period.

Avoid playing with your jewelry. This will cause extended swelling, and extended healing.

Leave the jewelry in for the entire healing period. Removing for only a few minutes during the initial healing period may result in the loss of the piercing.

We recommend staying away from spicy foods for the first few days.

Sea Salt Soaks:
Many people know of the benefits of warm sea salt soaks. It helps promote blood flow, and reduces irritation.

1.Take ¼ teaspoon to 8oz of warm water. Stir the solution until it is all diluted. If you can still see salt in the water it is too strong. Stronger is not better as it can burn the piercing.
2.Invert the cup over the piercing creating a vacuum seal. If this is not possible, you can soak a paper product or cotton ball with the solution and apply it to the area.
3.Leave the solution on for 5-15 minutes.
4.After the soak, rinse the area with clean, warm water, and then pat dry with a paper product. This can be repeated 2-3 times a day if desired.

Healing Times:
Your initial healing period is 2-3 months, but it takes years to be fully healed. Everyone’s body is different. If you are not sure if your piercing is healed, come in so we can take a look at it.

A piercing is healed when it is no longer red around the hole, isn’t tender to the touch, and is no longer producing a discharge.

Important Things to Remember:
1.NEVER TOUCH A PIERCING WITH DIRTY HANDS!!!!! If you are not cleaning it, leave it alone.
2.If you like your piercing, leave it in. Removing the jewelry during the initial healing, even for a few minutes, may result in losing the piercing. Even well healed piercing of a few years can shrink or close in a few hours.
3.If you were pierced with a barbell, once a day, with clean hands, check the jewelry to make sure the ends are nice and tight.
4.Keep your clothes, and bedding clean. With oral piercings, be sure to be using a new tooth brushes.
5.Your piercer is always here to help you. If there are any questions or problems, contact us.