Aftercare
DO NOT touch your new piercing
There is no need to rotate or remove the jewelry in your new piercing! The methods of caring for piercings have developed over time so what clients were told in the past may not be what is recommended now. Older jewelry was often made with lower quality metals but I pierce with implant grade titanium (ASTM F 136) and solid 14K and 18K gold. This not only ensures longevity of your piercing but also eliminates the need to touch it.
Clean your piercing with sterile saline only!
Brief irrigation with saline spray is the widely recommended aftercare practice in the industry. I recommend using Steriwash aftercare spray because it can be sprayed directly on your piercing. Make sure you are spraying your piercing twice daily; I recommend getting into the habit of once in the morning and once at night. Gently dry an excess with a cotton swab or gauze square.
Avoid using products such as alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or tea tree oil as these can be too abrasive for a healing piercing.
DO NOT submerge your piercing in water.
Swimming can pose risks when you have an open wound. I highly recommend not exposing your healing piercing to a hot tub, pool, lake, ocean, or any body of water, even if it seems clean. Both chemicals from a pool and dirt from natural bodies of water can be damaging. Some piercing sites can be protected with a waterproof bandage but if you don’t use a sealant bandage, you should avoid submerging your healing piercing.
Be mindful of contact with possible irritant
Be careful of all contact with possible irritants such as phones, pillows, hair, cosmetics, brushes, towels, eyewear, pet hair, etc. Remember to change your bed linens and pillowcases frequently. Avoid the exchange of bodily fluid through the entire initial healing process even if you and your partner are monogamous and healthy.
DO NOT remove your jewelry during healing
Be mindful that getting a piercing is a commitment. The piercing starts as a fresh, open wound that should be cared for as such. If you remove the jewelry, your body will immediately begin closing the piercing channel.
If you find it necessary to remove your jewelry for a medical procedure, school requirements, or work related activities, I recommend non metal retainers. You can consult with me to ensure that this is a safe option for your specific situation.
Always remember to wash your hands before cleaning your piercing.
There may be times in which you’ll need to check your beads to ensure they are still secure. For example, after getting your new piercing snagged. It’s very important to wash your hands thoroughly as not to expose the wound to bacteria.