CARING FOR YOUR PIERCING:
Sea salt soaks:
Mix 4 teaspoons of non-iodized sea salt into one gallon of distilled water (the ratio is important, so measure carefully!). Pour some of this solution into a clean, disposable cup, warm it up in the microwave (not too hot!! Warm bath-water temperature is perfect), and completely submerge your piercing into the water for 7 – 10 minutes. When you’re finished with your soak, rinse your piercing thoroughly and gently pat it dry with a clean disposable paper towel. Hot compresses made from disposable paper towels may be used for difficult soaking sites (like bridges or napes) but are not as effective, so submerging the piercing is always advisable if possible. Sea salt soaks should be done 2 – 4 times daily if it is the only aftercare method you are using.
Sterile sea salt spray:
Mist the entire piercing area and allow the solution to dry and soak into the skin, then rinse the area with clean water. Do this every 3-4 hours. When using a sea salt spray, it is advisable to sea salt soak your piercing every couple of days, but multiple daily soaks are unnecessary and may lead to irritation.
In the shower:
Avoid getting shampoo, conditioner, body wash or other products near the piercing as much as possible. At the end of your shower, wash the skin around the piercing with a mild liquid soap. Avoid turning, twisting or rotating the jewelry as you do this, the soap should not get INTO the piercing. Rinse the area thoroughly, as soap residue can irritate your piercing. Soaps containing high amounts of perfumes, dyes or the active ingredient Triclosan (found in most anti-bacterial products) tend to irritate healing piercings, and should be avoided. Satin (a mild antimicrobial skin cleanser) is available at our shop, and our staff is always willing to help if you are having trouble finding an appropriate soap.
WHAT TO EXPECT –
A normal healing piercing….
• May be tender, itchy or bruised for a few weeks.
• May bleed a little for the first few days.
• May be slightly red. Redness may persist on and off for the entire healing period.
• May secrete a whitish-yellow fluid, which may crust on the jewelry. This is lymph discharge and will stop when the piercing is healed.
• May be swollen. An ice pack wrapped in a clean disposable paper towel and applied to the swollen area will help alleviate the swelling. An over the counter anti-inflammatory such as Advil, Aleve or Motrin may also help reduce swelling.
• May need to be checked periodically to insure threaded jewelry is still tight. Threaded jewelry is like anything else, “righty tighty, lefty loosey”. Make sure you wash your hands before touching your jewelry.
WHAT NOT TO DO -
• DO NOT touch your piercing with unwashed hands.
• DO NOT twist, turn or rotate your jewelry.
• DO NOT let your piercing come in contact with dirty bedding or clothing, pet hair or dander or other people’s body fluids.
• DO NOT expose your piercing to any water other than your shower or your sea salt water solution. NO rivers, lakes, hot tubs, oceans or swimming pools! If you’re going to take a bath, it is advisable that you shower first and then thoroughly rinse the tub before filling it with bath water.
• DO NOT get cosmetics, facial cleansers, tanning oils, lotions, moisturizers, hair sprays, hair gels or similar products on the piercing.
• DO NOT use any cleaning products on your piercing that have not been recommended by your piercer. This includes Neosporin, peroxide, alcohol, Betadine, Bactine, witch hazel, etc.
• DO NOT wear restrictive clothing, irritating clothing or anything that limits oxygen flow over the piercing.
• DO NOT change your jewelry before your piercing is healed. It is also a good idea to come in and let your piercer change your jewelry for you the first few times.
• DO NOT hesitate to stop by or give us a call if you have any questions or concerns regarding your piercing. WE ARE HAPPY TO HELP YOU!!

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