NielMed - Available here in the studio.

Sea Salt Water - Dissolve a pinch (1/4 teaspoon) of non-iodized sea salt into one cup (8 oz.) of warm water in a clean cup. If this seems strong or drying, use 1/8 teaspoon to 8 oz. of water. Bottled or distilled water is optimal.

Wash your hands thoroughly, prior to cleaning or touching on or near your piercing for any reason.

Soak at least once, up to three times a day using saline, sea salt water, or a small amount of NielMed. Use a small disposable paper cup or plastic cup.

Rinse Thoroughly after cleaning, It is not necessary to rotate the jewelry through the piercing.

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.

Depending on the body part and your anatomy, either dunk the piercing or invert the cup, holding against your body to avoid spilling. Soak for a few minutes. the longer you soak, the easier it is to rinse built up material from your jewelry and skin. Gently rinse after soaking. you may use a Q-tip saturated with the salt water or NielMed to remove crusted material from any piercing, however they can leave behind tiny fibers that can wrap around your jewelry, to avoid this, do not use Q-tips in a circular motion around the jewelry. Always rinse after cleaning with a Q-tip, And avoid using them where soaking and NielMed are sufficient.

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

Avoid cleaning with alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, Dial® or other soaps containing triclosan, 3 iodine, or any harsh products, 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 stress and recreational drug use, including excessive caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol.

Avoid submerging the piercing in unhygienic bodies of water such as lakes, pools, hot tubs, etc. Or, protect your piercing using a waterproof wound-sealant bandage (such as 3MTM NexcareTM Clean Seals or Tegaderm). 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.

Initially: some bleeding, localized swelling, tenderness, and/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 might 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 initial healing period. Even healed piercings that you have had for years can shrink or close in minutes! This varies from person to person; if you like your piercing, keep jewelry in. Do not leave the hole empty.

Stay Healthy: The healthier your lifestyle, the easier it will be for your piercing to heal, Make sure to get enough sleep and avoid emotional stress. A nutritious diet can help boost the body’s ability to heal and fight infection.

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

Contact your piercer for a non metallic jewelry alternative if your metal jewelry must be temporarily removed (such as for a medical procedure).

Leave jewelry in at all times. Even healed piercings that you have had for several years can shrink or close in minutes! If removed, reinsertion can be difficult or impossible.

With clean hands or paper product, be sure to regularly check threaded ends on your jewelry for tightness (“rightly-tighty, lefty-loosey”).

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 should remain.

Navel: A hard, vented eye patch (sold at pharmacies) can be applied under tight clothing (such as nylon stockings) or secured using a length of elastic bandage around the body (to avoid irritation from adhesive). This can protect the area from restrictive clothing, excess irritation, and impact during physical activities such as contact sports.

Ear/Cartilage and Facial: Use the t-shirt trick: Dress your pillow in a large, clean t-shirt and turn it nightly; one clean t-shirt provides four clean surfaces for sleeping. Maintain cleanliness of phones, headphones, eyeglasses, helmets, hats, and anything that contacts the pierced area. Use caution when styling your hair and advise your stylist of a new or healing piercing.

Nipple: The support of a tight cotton shirt or sports bra may provide protection and feel comfortable, especially for sleeping.

Genitals: Genital Piercings-especially Triangles, Prince Alberts, Ampallangs, and Apadravyas----can bleed freely for the first few days. Be prepared. Urinate after using soap to clean any piercing that is near the urethra. In most cases you can engage in sexual activity as soon as you feel ready, but maintaining hygiene and avoiding trauma are vital; all sexual activities should be gentle during the healing period. Use barriers such as condoms, dental dams, and waterproof bandages, etc. to avoid contact with your partners' body fluids, even in long-term monogamous relationships. Use a new container of water-based lubricant; do not use saliva.

Oral Piercings: Use any or all of the following solutions for inside the mouth:

• Alcohol-free and hydrogen peroxide-free mouth rinse. Or you can use dry mouth oral rinse for hydration

• Plain clean water. Bottled or filtered water is preferred.

• Packaged sterile saline solution with no additives (read the label). This is not for internal use but external use only (like cleaning the outside of your lip piercing).

• Regardless of the brand of saline, the can should list sterile and isotonic. The only ingredients included should be water and 0.9% or 9mg/ml sodium chloride. Mixing your own sea salt solution is no longer a suggested practice from the APP. Mixing your own sea salt solution will commonly result in the product being far too salty and strong. This can over dry the piercing and interfere with healing.

• Do not use contact solution, eye drops, or nasal rinse products on your piercing.

Cleaning Instructions

Internal:

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

• Keeping good oral hygiene practices is important in maintaining a healthy mouth and piercing. You will want to floss, brush and use mouth rinse at least twice a day. It is vital to not overuse the mouth rinse.

• Gently brush the jewelry with a clean toothbrush regularly to avoid plaque build up.

• Rinse with water (bottled or filtered) thoroughly after every time you eat, drink or smoke.

External:

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

• Be sure to rinse your piercing thoroughly with warm water in the shower once a day. Then rinse with saline twice a day.

• Gently remove any discharge or crust that may have built up on your jewelry, then dry the area carefully with gauze.

Reduce Swelling

• Allow small pieces of ice to dissolve in the mouth.

• Take an over the counter, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory such as ibuprofen or naproxen sodium according to package instructions.

• Don’t speak or move your jewelry more than necessary.

• Sleep with your head elevated above your heart during the first few nights.

• Once the swelling has subsided, it is vital to replace the original, longer jewelry with a shorter post or barbell to avoid damage to the teeth and gums.

• Because this necessary jewelry change often occurs during healing, it should be done by a qualified piercer. This information should have been given to you during the piercing. If not, consult with a professional piercer about your downsize.

• With clean hands or paper products, be sure to regularly check threaded ends on your jewelry for tightness. For threadless jewelry make sure there is no gap between the post (inside) to the top (outside). In case of a gap, place your index finger and thumb on both sides of the jewelry and press them together. Be sure to check that the gap is closed.

Eating

• Take your time with eating until you are used to the piercing and the jewelry is downsized to prevent irritation or prolonged healing.

• Avoid eating spicy, salty, acidic, or hot temperature foods or beverages for the first two weeks (no specific foods need to be avoided).

• Cold foods and beverages can be soothing and help reduce swelling.

• For labret (cheek and lip) piercings: be cautious about opening your mouth too wide as this can result in the jewelry catching on your teeth.