SWELLING

It is normal for your piercing to swell immediately after being pierced.

Most piercings require longer jewellery for the initial healing period to allow for swelling.  

• These piercings can be deceptive and may not show noticeable signs of swelling but be assured that it is there.

• When the jewellery is too short, it does not allow for swelling. This can cause problems such as embedding (when it sinks in) and infection. 

• To help reduce swelling we recommend using ice on the piercing area for at least 10mins a day. 

• It is important that the ice/icepack is to be wrapped in a clean/fresh paper towel or cloth at each use to avoid freezer burn.

• Applying ice after knocking or bumping your piercing can also help prevent your piercing flaring up and getting irritated. 

• Applying ice is also recommend if you sleep on your piercing. 

• Using ice will reduce the swelling, which will in turn reduce the pressure and relieve the pain.   

• Re-freezable ice packs are available for purchase.

• Alternatively, wet cotton pads placed in the freezer can be a gentle option.

CLEANING

It is crucial that you keep your new piercing clean during the initial healing period and beyond.

• We provide a complimentary tea-tree and lavender foaming wash with which to clean the area. While showering dispense 1 - 2 drops of wash onto your palms, rub hands together to increase lather, use this to gently wash around the piercing site, before thoroughly rinsing the wash off.

• This wash is ONLY suitable for use while showering. It is NOT an ointment and should not be applied without the ability to be rinsed off thoroughly.

• If you notice itchy red skin around the piercing site after use, use less product and take more time to rinse after application.

• Keep your cleaning regime simple. Do NOT use multiple cleaning products and try not to ‘over love’ your piercing.

• We recommend cleaning your piercing 1-2 times a day: The same time as your normal shower or with saline as needed.

• If you feel your piercing needs more cleaning, an additional clean can be performed during the day.

• If you like hot showers AVOID getting hot water directly on your new piercing as it can be detrimental to the healing process.

• Cotton tips are a great way of removing any build up around the jewellery

• DO NOT rotate or move your jewellery unless the jewellery has been cleaned first.

• If you did not purchase a saline solution in store, you can make a saltwater solution outlined below.

• We recommended that the solution is made in batches to allow greater accuracy to the ratio, ensuring it is not too strong which can be drying and irritating to skin.

• Ensure your solution has cooled completely before use.

MAKE A SALTWATER SOLUTION AT HOME BY DISSOLVING A ¼ TSP OF NON-IODISED SALT IN 100MLS OF WARM WATER. STORE IN A CLEAN, SEALED CONTAINER FOR FUTURE USE.

SEX AND ABSTINENCE

• Abstaining during healing time is highly recommended. Put simply, the less you interact with your piercing initially, the faster and easier the healing will be.

• Your jewellery may need to be resized before resuming sexual activity. If you do engage in sexual activity and experience any pain and soreness, stop. You are probably pushing it too much too soon.

• Condoms are recommended for at least 6 weeks once sexual activity has resumed (even with a long-term partner) to help prevent the infection. Always wash your piercing afterwards.

CHANGING JEWELLERY

If you don’t feel comfortable changing your jewellery, no problem, we can help! We offer a jewellery change service for a small fee.

• It will generally take 6-12 weeks before your piercing has settled enough to change jewellery. It won’t be completely healed at this time so continue to exercise care.

• When changing jewellery yourself, ensure your hands are washed and clean BEFORE touching the piercing and new jewellery.

• We also recommended that you clean your new piece of jewellery (ideally with isopropyl alcohol) prior to use.

HELPFUL HINTS

Always wash your hands thoroughly before touching your new piercing. It is an open wound and hands carry many gems and bacteria that can be transferred to your piercing and cause problems.

• If you have threaded jewellery, regularly check to ensure the balls/ends are tight. Hold onto one side of your jewellery and turn the other; right to tight or left to loosen.  For ear studs with a butterfly backing regularly check that the back has not moved forward on the post, reducing the amount of length on your jewellery. 

• Try not to introduce things like make-up, moisturiser, spray tan, glitter, fluff and sand etc. to the piercing site as this impede and slow the healing process and could potentially lead to infection.

• Wash your pillowcase, bed linen and bath towel regularly throughout the life of your piercing.

• Minimal movement will help. Try to avoid twisting and touching the jewellery unnecessarily.

• Try to avoid sleeping on your piercing for as long as possible.

• Try to avoid sleeping with pets during the initial portion of healing as this can impact the successful healing of your piercing.

• Swimming in the ocean, your home or local swimming pool after a piercing is fine as long as you clean the piercing site afterwards. Avoid heated spas, dirty creek water etc. for as long as possible.