Piercing Aftercare Recommendations

  • • Earlobe: 2–3 months
    • Helix/Cartilage: 6–12 months
    • Nostril: 4–6 months
    • Septum: 2–3 months
    • Eyebrow: 2–3 months
    • Lip/Labret: 2–3 months
    • Tongue: 4–6 weeks
    • Navel: 6 months to 1 year
    • Nipple: 6 months to 1 year
    • Surface/Industrial: 6 months to 1 year (high rejection risk)

  • • Always wash your hands thoroughly before touching or cleaning the piercing.
    • Use sterile isotonic saline wound wash (0.9% NaCl only), pre-packaged and labeled—not homemade salt solutions or contact lens saline.
    • Clean twice a day with spray-on saline; do not rotate jewelry.
    • Dry gently with single-use gauze or cotton swabs. Avoid cloth towels.

  • • Early signs: slight bleeding, swelling, tenderness, or bruising.
    • Healing stage: white/yellow discharge (not pus), crust around jewelry.
    • The outer layer may look healed while the inside is still healing—continue care.
    • Leave jewelry in place. Piercings can close quickly.

  • • No alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, iodine, BZK, or antibacterial soaps.
    • No homemade sea-salt soaks.
    • Avoid over-cleaning, playing with jewelry, and trauma.
    • Stay out of dirty water (pools, lakes, hot tubs). Use waterproof film dressings if needed.
    • No oral or bodily fluid contact during healing.
    • Avoid caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, and stress.
    • Keep cosmetics and lotions away from the piercing.
    • Don’t attach charms or heavy items.

  • • Take showers instead of baths. Clean tubs thoroughly before use.
    • Change bedding often and wear clean, breathable clothing.
    • Exercise moderately, avoid impact, and clean gym equipment.
    • Maintain a healthy diet, rest well, and manage stress.

  • • Leave initial jewelry in place during healing. Resize only with help from a piercer.
    • Check threaded ends occasionally for tightness.
    • If removing permanently, clean until the hole closes. Minor scarring may occur.
    • Ask a piercer about non-metallic jewelry for medical needs.

  • • Watch for: excessive bleeding, swelling, warmth, redness, pain, green/black discharge.
    • Oral issues: plaque, gum recession, tooth damage.
    • Don’t remove jewelry if infected—seek medical help.

  • 1. Hand hygiene is essential.
    2. Use only sterile saline and clean gauze.
    3. Avoid over-cleaning and rotating jewelry.
    4. Support healing with healthy habits.
    5. Protect from trauma and unclean environments.
    6. Let professionals handle jewelry changes.
    7. Know when to seek help.