PIERCING AFTERCARE

HOW YOUR PIERCING HEALS IS UP TO YOU!
Congratulations, you've just received a body piercing. The skilled and knowledgeable professional piercer cleaned and disinfected the area pierced and used sterile needles, piercing instruments and jewelry. Now it is up to you to take appropriate care of your piercing during the critical healing period. The most important thing you need to do is clean the new piercing TWO OR THREE TIMES EACH DAY during the critical first week to one month. Use the appropriate cleanser suggested below for the best results on your specific piercing. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO MOVE OR ROTATE THE JEWELRY until you've thoroughly cleaned it AND the entrance holes of the piercing. The purpose of the cleaning is to remove all matter (mostly lymph and similar body fluids) that collect on the jewelry and around the piercing during the healing period. Infection or irritation of a new piercing generally occurs because the crusty matter was consciously or accidentally forced into the
piercing. We also recommend that you do your soaks, compresses and gargle with non-iodized sea salt as instructed by your piercer.

CAUTION: DO NOT USE ANY OINTMENTS (such as Neosporin, Bacitracin, Triple Antibiotic, etc.) to clean or disinfect your piercing. They are only a safe lubricant and are not a substitute for cleaning with Provone Medicated Soap, Tech 2000, Bactine or other cleansers. After the initial adjustment period, your piercing will heal faster when clean and dry. Also, some piercees find the use of a daily Zinc supplement (50 mg. Tablet) or the application of Vitamin E directly on the piercing after it's been cleaned (always use a clean Q-Tip or clean hands for this) speeds the healing process.

UPPER BODY PIERCING
Ears, Bridge, Septum, Nostrils, Eyebrows: Clean piercing and jewelry two to three times daily with liberal applications of diluted BACTINE solution (or benzalkonium chloride ear antiseptic) with a clean Q-Tip. DO NOT TOUCH PIERCING OR JEWELRY WITH FINGERS! Use of stronger solutions (like those suggested for the lower body) could irritate and cause healing problems.

ORAL PIERCING
Tongue, Lip, Labret, Cheek: Requires special aftercare. Rinse with TECH 2000 Antimicrobial Dental Rinse for 60 seconds after any contact to mouth. Also, clean the outside of the piercing two to three times daily with liberal applications of diluted BACTINE solution (or benzalkonium chloride ear antiseptic) with a clean Q-Tip. May swell the first 24 to 48 hours. Drink plenty of cold fluids and use crushed ice to minimize swelling. Use GLY-OXIDE directly on piercing (both sides) several times daily. May need to comtinue treatment 4 to 6 weeks. Avoid oral contact.

MID & LOWER BODY PIERCING
Nipples, Navel, Male & Female Genital Piercings: Clean using a liquid antibacterial soap with a low pH such as PROVONE two or three times a day for at least 8 weeks (some piercing might take longer). It is easiest to clean AFTER showering (bath water contains dirt and body fluids which may irritate the piercing). Rinse hands and work up lather with second application of cleanser. Gently scrub the jewelry and piercing until you certain ALL dry matter is removed. Move jewelry slightly so solution cleans inside of the piercing too. Rinse with clean water. Clean piercing and jewelry with clean Q-Tip. DO NOT TOUCH!

CONTACT US if you have any questions or problems.