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What to expect:

  • Immediately after: Some bleeding, localized swelling, tenderness or brusing may occur.

  • During healing: Some discoloration, itchy, secretion of a whitish-yellow fluid (not pus) that will form 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.  Your jewelry may feel a little lose once healed because the swelling has gone down.  You can now change out your jewelry.  Go check out my online selection and pick out some new jewelry for your new look.  COMING SOON!

~ FOR MY CLIENTS ~

RICKY'S AFTERCARE INSTRUCTIONS, TIPS & HINTS 

You have just received a body piercing by a skilled & knowledgeable professional who cleaned & disinfected the area pierced, used sterile instruments, jewelry & single use needle.  

NOW IT IS UP TO YOU TO TAKE PROPER CARE OF YOUR PIERCING DURING THE CRUCIAL HEALING PERIOD.  

How your piercing heals is up to you & your body.  Each body is unique & healing varries considerably.  

What to DO & AVOID

  • DO wash your hands prior to touching

  • DO keep the piercing clean.  (keep free of discharge; before attempting to move jewelry ~ can become irritable)

  • DO wear breathable clothes to sleep in & protect piercing (if applicable)

  • DO eat nutritionally & exercise regularly (assists in healing)

  • AVOID rotating jewelry

  • AVOID hanging objects from your piercing or jewelry until it is fully healed

  • AVOID undue trauma such as friction from clothing, excessing motion of the area, playing w/the jewelry & vigorous cleaning.  These activites can cause the formation of unsightly & unformfortable scar tissue, migration, prolonged healing & other complications

  • AVOID all oral contact, rough play & contact w/other's bodily fluids on or near your piercing during healing

  • AVOID stress & recreational drug use including caffein, nicotine & alcohol

  • AVOID submerging piercing in bodies of water such as bathtubs, lakes, pools, jacuzzis, etc. if you are unable to protect your piercing using a special water-proof bandage

Hints & Tips:

Jewelry:

  • Unless there is a problem w/the size, style or material of the initial jewelry, leave it in place for the entire healing period.  A qualified piercer should only perform any necessary jewelry change that occurs during healing.

  • Contact your pierer if your jewelry must be temporarily removed (such as for a medical prodedure).  There are no non-metalic jewelry alternatives

  • Leave jewelry in at all times.  Any piercing can shrink at any time, even if healed, within minutes. (Re-insertion can be difficult or impossible)

  • With clean hands or paper product, be sure to regularly check the threaded ends on your jewelry for tightness. "rightly-tighty; lefty-loosey"

  • Try to carry a clean spare ball in case of loss breakage

  • Should you decide you no longer want the piercing, seek professional help in the removal of the jewelry & continue cleaning the piercing until the hold closes.  In most cases only a small indentation will remain

 

Dermal:                                                                                                                                            

Healing time: 6-8 weeks

  • Use caution not to catch your piercing on seat belts, pockets, purses, hair, etc.

  • Keep piercing covered with sterile bandage for 24 hours

 

Ear Cartilage & Facial Piercings:

Healing time: 6-8 weeks

  • Use the t-shirt trick: dress your pillow in a large, clean t-shirt & turn it nightly, one clean t-shirt provides for clean surfaces for sleeping

  • Maintain cleanliness of telephones, headphones, eyeglasses, helmets, hats & anything that contacts the pierced area

  • Use caution when styling your hair & advise your stylist of a new or healing piercing

 

Navel:

Healing time: 4-6 months

  • A hard, vented eye patch (sold in pharmacies) can be applied under cight clothing (such as a nylon stocking) or secured using a length of ace bandage around the body (to avoid irritation for adhesive).  This can protect the area from restrivive clothing, excess irritation & impact during physical activities such as contact sports

 

Nipple:

Healing time: 4-6 months

  • Wear tight cotton (like a sports bra) for protection & comfort, especially during sleeping

 

Tongue / Lip (Labret) / Cheek:

Healing time: 4-6 weeks

  • Swelling will normally occur within the first 72 hours  It is important to drink lots of cold liquids & gently suck on ice to help minimize swelling.  30 mins off / 30 mins on to help maximize blood flow)

  • DO check threads on jewelry securely everyday

  • AVOID sharing plates, cups, or eating utensils with others.  Replace your toothbrush & keep it clean during the healing period.  Keep dirty fingers, pencils, sunglasses, etc. out of your mouth

  • AVOID excessive talking & all oral sexual contact (including we kissing) during the healing process

  • AVOID playing with jewelry excessively. (A frequent cause of reported tood & gum damage & should be avoided)

Cleaning your piercing:

  • DO wash your hands thoroughly prior to cleaning or touching on or near your piercing

  • DO use non-bacterial soap or spray; no more than 2x/day

    • ​I recommend Dial Soap or H2Ocean Spray

  • DO rinse thoroughly to remove all traces of soap

  • DO pat gently to dry w/disposable paper products (such as q-tips, guaze or tissue) 

    • cloth can harbor bacteria & catch on piercings​

  • AVOID over cleaning

    • ​can delay healing & irritate piercing

  • AVOID the use of alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, Betadine, Hibiclens or ointment

  • AVOID all beauty & personal care products on or around the piercing

    • ​including cosmetics, lotions, sprays, etc.

  • AVOID bathing in a dirty tub or for prolonged perioeds of time

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