Piercing Aftercare Instructions 

Cleaning Solutions 

Use one or both of the following solutions for healing piercings: 

• Packaged sterile saline solution with no additives (read the label), or a non-iodized sea salt mixture: Dissolve 1/4  teaspoon of non-iodized (iodine-free) sea salt into one cup (8 oz.) of warm distilled or bottled water. A stronger mixture is  not better; a saline solution that is too strong can irritate the piercing. 

• A mild, fragrance-free liquid soap—preferably anti-microbial or germicidal. 

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CLEANING INSTRUCTIONS FOR BODY PIERCINGS 

• WASH your hands thoroughly prior to cleaning or touching your piercing for any reason. 

• SALINE soak for five to ten minutes once or more per day. Invert a cup of warm saline solution over the area to form a  vacuum. For certain piercings it may be easier to apply using clean gauze or paper towels saturated with saline solution. A  brief rinse afterward will remove any residue. 

• SOAP no more than once or twice a day. While showering, lather up a pearl size drop of the soap to clean the jewelry and  the piercing. Leave the cleanser on the piercing no more than thirty seconds. 

• RINSE thoroughly to remove all traces of the soap from the piercing. It is not necessary to rotate the jewelry through the  piercing. 

• DRY by gently patting with clean, disposable paper products. Cloth towels can harbor bacteria and snag on jewelry,  causing injury. 

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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 part of your daily hygiene routine, normal but smelly bodily secretions may accumulate. 

• A piercing may seem healed before the healing process is complete. This is because tissue heals from the outside in, and  although it feels fine, the interior remains fragile. 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, keep jewelry in—do not leave it empty. 

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WHAT TO DO 

• Wash your hands prior to touching the piercing; leave it alone except when cleaning. During healing, it is not necessary to  rotate your jewelry. 

• Stay healthy; the healthier your lifestyle, the easier it will be for your piercing to heal. Get enough sleep and eat a  nutritious diet. Exercise during healing is fine; listen to your body. 

• Make sure your bedding is washed and changed regularly. Wear clean, comfortable, breathable clothing that protects  your piercing while you are sleeping. 

• Showers tend to be safer than taking baths, as bathtubs can harbor bacteria. If you bathe in a tub, clean it well before  each use and rinse off your piercing when you get out.

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WHAT TO AVOID 

• Avoid cleaning with Betadine®, Hibiciens®, alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, Dial® or other harsh soaps, as these can damage  cells. Also avoid ointments as they prevent necessary air circulation. 

• Avoid Bactine®, pierced ear care solutions and other products containing Benzalkonium Chloride (BZK). These can be  irritating and are not intended for long term wound care. 

• Avoid over-cleaning. This can delay your healing and irritate your piercing. 

• Avoid undue trauma such as friction from clothing, excessive motion of the area, playing with the jewelry, and vigorous  cleaning. These activities can cause the formation of unsightly and uncomfortable scar tissue, migration, prolonged  healing, and other complications. 

• Avoid all oral contact, rough play, and contact with others' bodily fluids on or near your piercing during healing.

• Avoid submerging the piercing in unhygenic bodies of water such as lakes, pools, hot tubs, etc. Or, protect your piercing  using a waterproof wound-sealant bandage (such as 3M™ Nexcare™ Clean Seals). These are available at most drugstores. 

• Avoid all beauty and personal care products on or around the piercing including cosmetics, lotions, and sprays, etc. • Don't hang charms or any object from your jewelry until the piercing is fully healed. 

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HINTS AND TIPS 

JEWELRY: 

• Unless there is a problem with the size, style, or material of the initial jewelry, leave it in the place for the entire healing  period. See a qualified piercer to perform any jewelry change that becomes necessary during healing.  

• Contact your piercer if your jewelry must be removed (such as for a medical procedure). There are non-metallic jewelry  alternatives available. 

• Leave jewelry in at all times. Even old or well-healed piercing can shrink or close in minutes even 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, simply remove the jewelry (or have a professional piercer remove it)  and continue cleaning the piercing until the hole closes. In most cases only a small mark will remain. 

• In the event an infection is suspected, quality jewelry or an inert alternative should be left in place to allow for drainage  or the infection. If the jewelry is removed, the surface cells can close up, which can seal the infection inside the piercing  channel and result in an abscess. Do not remove jewelry unless instructed to by a medical professional.