Aftercare

 

What to expect in the early stages of healing

During the first few weeks of healing, it’s likely that you will experience some of the following:

  • Localised pain

  • Localised swelling

  • Discharge of a clear or cloudy fluid

  • Bruising or bleeding

Please note that discharge of a clear or cloudy fluid may continue for several months with slower healing piercings.

The best way to to look after your piercing is to look after yourself. Stay hydrated, get enough sleep, eat healthy and don’t sleep on your piercing!

Downsizing

Some piercings need to be downsized after a few weeks/months. Your piercer will let you know about this. If you are unsure, please contact us and ask. Initially, piercings will always be fitted with a slightly longer bar so that your piercing has room to swell (this is a natural part of the healing). Once the swelling has subsided, you’ll want to return to the studio and get it downsized so it can continue to heal properly. Failure to do this on your part may result in lumps, bumps and migration that might not be fixable. Downsizing doesn’t have to happen on a ‘set date’ as we all heal at our own pace. Your piercer will always give you an idea as to when that might be.

You can book your downsize HERE

Downsizing and healing time frames can be found HERE

The Specifics

Dont’s

  • DO NOT PICK, TWIST OR TOUCH YOUR PIERCING

    Touching invites bacteria into your piercing and moving it will cause irritation with a longer healing time.

  • DO NOT APPLY COSMETICS OR SKINCARE PRODUCTS TO YOUR PIERCING

  • DO NOT SLEEP ON YOUR PIERCING

    You can use a memory-foam travel pillow to aid sleep if required.

  • DO NOT PUT CHEMICALS OR CLEANING SOLUTIONS ON YOUR PIERCING

    This includes salt water, TCP, tea tree oil and other tinctures.

  • DO NOT GO SWIMMING FOR 4-6 WEEKS

    Hot tubs, sea, rivers and lakes are also not recommended.

Do’s

  • DO CLEAN YOUR PIECING WITH WARM WATER IN THE SHOWER - Make sure to give it a good blast with the showerhead, this will also remove any ‘crusties’ from your piercing in a natural way without excessive touching or picking. Be careful not to use a loofah or shower pouf on our around your piercing in case of snagging. They also can harbour bacteria.

  • DO KEEP YOUR PIERCING DRY (HAIRDRYER ON A COOL SETTING) - Another material you can use is lint-free gauze which is inexpensive and readily available from pharmacies. This also will not leave bits of cotton fluff in the wound or on the jewellery. DO NOT USE TOILET PAPER OR COTTON WOOL.

  • DO STAY HYDRATED

  • DO STAY IN TOUCH - WE ARE ONLY A CALL OR MESSAGE AWAY IF YOU HAVE ANY CONCERNS

    WE MAY PROVIDE YOU WITH FURTHER AFTERCARE DEPENDING ON YOUR PIERCING. IF YOU REQUIRE MORE EXPLANATION PLEASE CONTACT US

Lumps & Bumps

There are many reasons you may have a bump on your piercing. This could be from sleeping on it, knocking or poor aftercare. Lumps and bumps come and go throughout the healing process. The main thing is to not panic!

If you are concerned about your piercing you should always contact us or book a check up so we can help you.

If you have a small bump on your piercing we recommend using chamomile tea bags as a natural aid to help reduce this.

Chamomile tea bags are a natural anti-inflammatory and make a lovely cup of tea! You would use the tea bag as a hot compress. Please ensure it is 100% chamomile.

Step one:

Steep your teabag in boiled water and allow to cool until it is still hot but a skin safe temperature.

Step two:

Hold the teabag on your piercing making sure it covers the front and back of the piercing. Hold until cooled.

Step three:

Repeat steps one and two for another 2 times.

Step four:

Dry the piercing with a hair dryer on a cool setting after finishing the hot compression.

Do this a few times a week until the bump has reduced.