Aftercare



Ear Piercings

This aftercare information is from our years of experience as professional piercers, as well as the Suggested Aftercare Guidelines for Body Piercings brochure - courtesy of the APP. Please contact us if you require any further information.

What to clean your piercing with

NeilMed Sterile Saline solution is a gentle choice for piercing aftercare. (We do not recommend the use of any other spray product.) If you did not purchase NeilMed with your piercing, a sea salt solution mixture can be a viable alternative.
Dissolve 1⁄8 to 1⁄4 teaspoon of non-iodized, fine grain sea salt into one cup (250ml) of boiled water (don't burn yourself! Let it cool to a warm temperature before use). A stronger mixture is not better; salt solution that is too strong can irritate the piercing.



How to clean your fresh piercing

  • Spray with NeilMed Sterile Saline 2 times per day.
  • Alternatively, soak the piercing in a sea salt solution mixture. It is best to fully submerge your piercing into this solution for 2-5 minutes.
  • Do not twist or move your jewellery when cleaning. Do not pick off any dry blood or crusting.
  • Let the saline break down any discharge, and gently wipe away with a clean cotton tip after soaking.

What to Do

  • Wash your hands prior to touching the piercing; leave it alone except when cleaning. During healing it is not necessary to rotate your jewellery.
  • Exercise during healing is fine; listen to your body.
  • Make sure your bedding is washed and changed regularly. Wear clean, comfortable, breathable clothing that protects your piercing while you are sleeping.
  • 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.
  • Don't sleep on your piercing. Make use of a travel pillow as a donut around your ear for support and no pressure on your ear.
  • 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.
  • The healthier your lifestyle, the easier it will be for your piercing to heal.
  • Make sure you're getting enough sleep.
  • To help healing and bolster your ability to fight infection eat a nutritious diet. If you don’t, consider taking nutritional supplements daily.

What is Normal?

  • 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 jewellery. The tissue may tighten around the jewellery as it heals.
  • Once healed: the jewellery 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 jewellery in — do not leave the hole empty.

What to Avoid

  • Avoid cleaning with alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, Dial® or other soaps containing triclosan, 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 jewellery, 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 3M™ Nexcare™ 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 jewellery until the piercing is fully healed.

Hints and Tips - Jewellery:

  • Unless there is a problem with the size, style, or material of the initial jewellery, leave it in the place for the entire healing period.
  • Contact your piercer for a non-metallic jewellery alternative if your metal jewellery must be temporarily removed (such as for a medical procedure).
  • Leave jewellery in at all times. Even healed piercings that you have had for 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 jewellery for tightness (“righty-tighty, lefty-loosey”).
  • Should you decide you no longer want the piercing, simply remove the jewellery (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.
  • In the event an infection is suspected, quality jewellery or an inert alternative should be left in place to allow for drainage of the infection. If the jewellery is removed, the surface cells can close up, which can seal the infection inside the piercing channel and result in an abscess. Until an infection is cleared up, leave in quality jewellery or an appropriate substitute.

Nose Piercings

This aftercare information is from our years of experience as professional piercers, as well as the Suggested Aftercare Guidelines for Body Piercings brochure - courtesy of the APP. Please contact us if you require any further information.

What to clean your piercing with

NeilMed Sterile Saline solution is a gentle choice for piercing aftercare. (We do not recommend the use of any other spray product.) If you did not purchase NeilMed with your piercing, a sea salt solution mixture can be a viable alternative.
Dissolve 1⁄8 to 1⁄4 teaspoon of non-iodized, fine grain sea salt into one cup (250ml) of boiled water (don't burn yourself! Let it cool to a warm temperature before use). A stronger mixture is not better; salt solution that is too strong can irritate the piercing.



How to clean your fresh piercing

  • Spray with NeilMed Sterile Saline 2 times per day.
  • Alternatively, soak the piercing in a sea salt solution mixture. It is best to fully submerge your piercing into this solution for 2-5 minutes.
  • Do not twist or move your jewellery when cleaning. Do not pick off any dry blood or crusting.
  • Let the saline break down any discharge, and gently wipe away with a clean cotton tip after soaking.

What to Do

  • Wash your hands prior to touching the piercing; leave it alone except when cleaning. During healing it is not necessary to rotate your jewellery.
  • Exercise during healing is fine; listen to your body.
  • Make sure your bedding is washed and changed regularly. Wear clean, comfortable, breathable clothing that protects your piercing while you are sleeping.
  • 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.
  • The healthier your lifestyle, the easier it will be for your piercing to heal.
  • Make sure you're getting enough sleep.
  • To help healing and bolster your ability to fight infection eat a nutritious diet. If you don’t, consider taking nutritional supplements daily.

What is Normal?

  • 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 jewellery. The tissue may tighten around the jewellery as it heals.
  • Once healed: the jewellery 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 jewellery in — do not leave the hole empty.

What to Avoid

  • Avoid cleaning with alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, Dial® or other soaps containing triclosan, 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 jewellery, 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 3M™ Nexcare™ 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 jewellery until the piercing is fully healed.

Hints and Tips - Jewellery:

  • Unless there is a problem with the size, style, or material of the initial jewellery, leave it in the place for the entire healing period.
  • Contact your piercer for a non-metallic jewellery alternative if your metal jewellery must be temporarily removed (such as for a medical procedure).
  • Leave jewellery in at all times. Even healed piercings that you have had for 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 jewellery for tightness (“righty-tighty, lefty-loosey”).
  • Should you decide you no longer want the piercing, simply remove the jewellery (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.
  • In the event an infection is suspected, quality jewellery or an inert alternative should be left in place to allow for drainage of the infection. If the jewellery is removed, the surface cells can close up, which can seal the infection inside the piercing channel and result in an abscess. Until an infection is cleared up, leave in quality jewellery or an appropriate substitute.

Lip Piercings

This aftercare information is from our years of experience as professional piercers, as well as the Suggested Aftercare Guidelines for Oral Piercings brochure - courtesy of the APP. Please contact us if you require any further information.

What to clean your piercing with

  • A sea salt mixture: Dissolve 1⁄8 to 1⁄4 teaspoon of non-iodized, fine-grain sea salt into one cup (250mL) of boiled water (don't burn yourself! Let it cool to a warm temperature before use). A stronger mixture is not better; saline solution that is too strong can irritate the piercing.

Cleaning Instructions for Cleaning Inside the Mouth

  • Rinse your mouth with your sea salt solution twice per day.
  • Rinse mouth with warm water after meals.
  • Cleaning too often or with too strong a rinse can cause discoloration and irritation of your mouth and piercing.

Cleaning Instructions for the Exterior of Lip Piercings

  • Wash your hands thoroughly prior to cleaning or touching your piercing.
  • Sea salt soak for 2-5 minutes once or more per day. Simply soak directly in a cup of warm sea salt solution. For certain placements it may be easier to apply using clean gauze saturated with your sea salt solution. A brief rinse afterward will remove any residue.
  • Rinse your mouth thoroughly. It is not necessary to rotate the jewellery through the piercing.
  • Dry by gently patting with clean, disposable paper products. Cloth towels can harbor bacteria and snag on jewellery causing injury.

What Is Normal?

  • For the first three to five days or so: significant swelling, light bleeding, bruising, and/or tenderness.
  • After that: some swelling, light secretion of a whitish-yellow fluid (not pus).
  • A piercing might seem healed before the healing process is complete. This is because they heal from the outside in, and although it feels fine, the tissue remains fragile on the inside. Be patient, and keep cleaning throughout the entire 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 jewellery in—do not leave the hole empty.

To Help Reduce Swelling

  • Allow small pieces of ice to dissolve in the mouth.
  • Don’t speak or move your jewellery more than necessary.
  • Sleep with your head elevated above your heart during the first few nights.

To Maintain Good Oral Hygiene

  • Use a new soft-bristled toothbrush and store it in a clean area away from other toothbrushes.
  • Brush your teeth and use your saline rinse after every meal.
  • During healing, floss daily, and gently brush your teeth, tongue, and jewellery. Once healed, brush the jewellery more thoroughly to avoid plaque build up.

To Stay Healthy

  • The healthier your lifestyle, the easier it will be for your piercing to heal.
  • Get enough sleep.
  • To help healing and bolster your ability to fight infection eat a nutritious diet. If you don’t, consider taking nutritional supplements daily.
  • Avoid emotional stress, which can increase healing times by up to 40%.

What To Avoid

  • Do not play with your jewellery. Long term effects include permanent damage to teeth, gums, and other oral structures. See the APP’s Brochure: Oral Piercing Risks and Safety Measures for more information.
  • Avoid undue trauma; excessive talking or playing with the jewellery during healing can cause the formation of unsightly and uncomfortable scar tissue, migration, and other complications.
  • Avoid using any mouthwash. It can irritate the piercing and delay healing.
  • Avoid oral sexual contact including French (wet) kissing or oral sex during healing (even with a long-term monogamous partner).
  • Avoid chewing on tobacco, gum, fingernails, pencils, sunglasses, and other foreign objects that could harbor bacteria.
  • Avoid sharing plates, cups, and eating utensils.
  • Avoid smoking. It increases risks and lengthens healing time.
  • Avoid recreational drug use.
  • Avoid aspirin, alcohol, and large amounts of caffeine.
  • Avoid submerging healing piercings in bodies of water such as lakes, pools, etc.

Oral Piercing Hints & Tips

JEWELLERY:

  • Once the swelling has subsided, it is vital to replace the original, longer jewelry with a shorter post to avoid intra-oral damage.
  • Because this necessary jewellery change often occurs during healing, it should be done by a qualified piercer.
  • With clean hands or paper product, be sure to regularly check threaded ends on your jewellery for tightness (“righty-tighty, leftyloosey”).
  • Carry a clean spare ball in case of loss or breakage.
  • Contact your piercer for a non-metallic jewellery alternative if your metal jewellery must be temporarily removed (such as for a medical procedure). See the APP brochure Preparing for Medical and Dental Procedures for more information.
  • Should you decide you no longer want the piercing, simply remove the jewellery (or have a professional piercer remove it) and continue cleaning the piercing until the hole closes. In most cases only a small mark will remain.
  • In the event an infection is suspected, quality jewellery or an inert alternative should be left in place to allow for drainage. Should the jewellery be removed, the surface cells can close up sealing the infection inside the piercing channel, resulting in an abscess. Until an infection is cleared up, leave in quality jewellery or an appropriate substitute.

EATING:

  • Slowly eat small bites of food placed directly onto your molars.
  • Avoid eating spicy, salty, acidic, or hot temperature foods or beverages for a few days.
  • Cold foods and beverages can be soothing and help reduce swelling.
  • Foods like mashed potatoes and oatmeal are hard to eat because they stick to your mouth and jewellery.
  • For labret (cheek and lip) piercings: be cautious about opening your mouth too wide as this can result in the jewellery catching on your teeth.

Tongue Piercings

This aftercare information is from our years of experience as professional piercers, as well as the Suggested Aftercare Guidelines for Oral Piercings brochure - courtesy of the APP. Please contact us if you require any further information.

WHAT TO CLEAN YOUR PIERCING WITH

      • A sea salt mixture: Dissolve 1⁄8 to 1⁄4 teaspoon of non-iodized, fine-grain sea salt into one cup (250mL) of boiled water (don't burn yourself! Let it cool to a warm temperature before use). A stronger mixture is not better; saline solution that is too strong can irritate the piercing.

CLEANING INSTRUCTIONS FOR CLEANING INSIDE THE MOUTH

      • Rinse your mouth with your sea salt solution twice per day.
      • Rinse mouth with warm water after meals.
      • Cleaning too often or with too strong a rinse can cause discoloration and irritation of your mouth and piercing.

WHAT IS NORMAL?

      • For the first three to five days or so: significant swelling, light bleeding, bruising, and/or tenderness.
      • After that: some swelling, light secretion of a whitish-yellow fluid (not pus).
      • A piercing might seem healed before the healing process is complete. This is because they heal from the outside in, and although it feels fine, the tissue remains fragile on the inside. Be patient and keep cleaning throughout the entire 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 jewellery in—do not leave the hole empty.

TO HELP REDUCE SWELLING

      • Allow small pieces of ice to dissolve in the mouth.
      • Don’t speak or move your jewellery more than necessary.
      • Sleep with your head elevated above your heart during the first few nights.

TO MAINTAIN GOOD ORAL HYGIENE

      • Use a new soft-bristled toothbrush and store it in a clean area away from other toothbrushes.
      • Brush your teeth and use your saline rinse after every meal.
      • During healing, floss daily, and gently brush your teeth, tongue, and jewellery. Once healed, brush the jewellery more thoroughly to avoid plaque build-up.

TO STAY HEALTHY

      • The healthier your lifestyle, the easier it will be for your piercing to heal.
      • Get enough sleep.
      • To help healing and bolster your ability to fight infection eat a nutritious diet. If you don’t, consider taking nutritional supplements daily.
      • Avoid emotional stress, which can increase healing times by up to 40%.

WHAT TO AVOID

      • Do not play with your jewellery. Long term effects include permanent damage to teeth, gums, and other oral structures. See the APP’s Brochure: Oral Piercing Risks and Safety Measures for more information.
      • Avoid undue trauma; excessive talking or playing with the jewellery during healing can cause the formation of unsightly and uncomfortable scar tissue, migration, and other complications.
      • Avoid using any mouthwash. It can irritate the piercing and delay healing.
      • Avoid oral sexual contact including French (wet) kissing or oral sex during healing (even with a long-term monogamous partner).
      • Avoid chewing on tobacco, gum, fingernails, pencils, sunglasses, and other foreign objects that could harbor bacteria.
      • Avoid sharing plates, cups, and eating utensils.
      • Avoid smoking. It increases risks and lengthens healing time.
      • Avoid recreational drug use.
      • Avoid aspirin, alcohol, and large amounts of caffeine.
      • Avoid submerging healing piercings in bodies of water such as lakes, pools, etc.

ORAL PIERCING HINTS & TIPS

JEWELLERY:

      • Once the swelling has subsided, it is vital to replace the original, longer jewellery with a shorter post to avoid intra-oral damage.
      • Because this necessary jewellery change often occurs during healing, it should be done by a qualified piercer.
      • With clean hands or paper product, be sure to regularly check threaded ends on your jewellery for tightness (“righty-tighty, lefty-loosey”).
      • Carry a clean spare ball in case of loss or breakage.
      • Contact your piercer for a non-metallic jewellery alternative if your metal jewellery must be temporarily removed (such as for a medical procedure). See the APP brochure Preparing for Medical and Dental Procedures for more information.
      • Should you decide you no longer want the piercing, simply remove the jewellery (or have a professional piercer remove it) and continue cleaning the piercing until the hole closes. In most cases only a small mark will remain.
      • In the event an infection is suspected, quality jewellery or an inert alternative should be left in place to allow for drainage. Should the jewellery be removed, the surface cells can close up sealing the infection inside the piercing channel, resulting in an abscess. Until an infection is cleared up, leave in quality jewellery or an appropriate substitute.

EATING:

      • Slowly eat small bites of food placed directly onto your molars.
      • Avoid eating spicy, salty, acidic, or hot temperature foods or beverages for a few days.
      • Cold foods and beverages can be soothing and help reduce swelling.
      • Foods like mashed potatoes and oatmeal are hard to eat because they stick to your mouth and jewellery.
      • For tongue piercing, try to keep your tongue level in your mouth as you eat because the jewellery can get between your teeth when your tongue turns.

Nipple Piercings

This aftercare information is from our years of experience as professional piercers, as well as the Suggested Aftercare Guidelines for Body Piercings brochure - courtesy of the APP. Please contact us if you require any further information.

What to clean your piercing with

NeilMed Sterile Saline solution is a gentle choice for piercing aftercare. (We do not recommend the use of any other spray product.) If you did not purchase NeilMed with your piercing, a sea salt solution mixture can be a viable alternative.
Dissolve 1⁄8 to 1⁄4 teaspoon of non-iodized, fine grain sea salt into one cup (250ml) of boiled water (don't burn yourself! Let it cool to a warm temperature before use). A stronger mixture is not better; salt solution that is too strong can irritate the piercing.



How to clean your fresh piercing

  • Spray with NeilMed Sterile Saline 2 times per day.
  • Alternatively, soak the piercing in a sea salt solution mixture. It is best to fully submerge your piercing into this solution for 2-5 minutes.
  • Do not twist or move your jewellery when cleaning. Do not pick off any dry blood or crusting.
  • Let the saline break down any discharge, and gently wipe away with a clean cotton tip after soaking.

What to Do

  • Wash your hands prior to touching the piercing; leave it alone except when cleaning. During healing it is not necessary to rotate your jewellery.
  • Exercise during healing is fine; listen to your body.
  • Make sure your bedding is washed and changed regularly. Wear clean, comfortable, breathable clothing that protects your piercing while you are sleeping.
  • 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.
  • The support of a tight cotton shirt or sports bra may provide protection and feel comfortable, especially for sleeping.
  • The healthier your lifestyle, the easier it will be for your piercing to heal.
  • Make sure you're getting enough sleep.
  • To help healing and bolster your ability to fight infection eat a nutritious diet. If you don’t, consider taking nutritional supplements daily.

What is Normal?

  • 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 jewellery. The tissue may tighten around the jewellery as it heals.
  • Once healed: the jewellery 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 jewellery in — do not leave the hole empty.

What to Avoid

  • Avoid cleaning with alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, Dial® or other soaps containing triclosan, 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 jewellery, 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 3M™ Nexcare™ 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 jewellery until the piercing is fully healed.

Hints and Tips - Jewellery:

  • Unless there is a problem with the size, style, or material of the initial jewellery, leave it in the place for the entire healing period.
  • Contact your piercer for a non-metallic jewellery alternative if your metal jewellery must be temporarily removed (such as for a medical procedure).
  • Leave jewellery in at all times. Even healed piercings that you have had for 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 jewellery for tightness (“righty-tighty, lefty-loosey”).
  • Should you decide you no longer want the piercing, simply remove the jewellery (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.
  • In the event an infection is suspected, quality jewellery or an inert alternative should be left in place to allow for drainage of the infection. If the jewellery is removed, the surface cells can close up, which can seal the infection inside the piercing channel and result in an abscess. Until an infection is cleared up, leave in quality jewellery or an appropriate substitute.

Dermal Anchors

This aftercare information is from our years of experience as professional piercers, as well as the Suggested Aftercare Guidelines for Body Piercings brochure - courtesy of the APP. Please contact us if you require any further information.

What to clean your piercing with

NeilMed Sterile Saline solution is a gentle choice for piercing aftercare. (We do not recommend the use of any other spray product.) If you did not purchase NeilMed with your piercing, a sea salt solution mixture can be a viable alternative.
Dissolve 1⁄8 to 1⁄4 teaspoon of non-iodized, fine grain sea salt into one cup (250ml) of boiled water (don't burn yourself! Let it cool to a warm temperature before use). A stronger mixture is not better; salt solution that is too strong can irritate the piercing.



How to clean your fresh piercing

  • Spray with NeilMed Sterile Saline 2 times per day.
  • Alternatively, soak the piercing in a sea salt solution mixture. It is best to fully submerge your piercing into this solution for 2-5 minutes.
  • Do not twist or move your jewellery when cleaning. Do not pick off any dry blood or crusting.
  • Let the saline break down any discharge, and gently wipe away with a clean cotton tip after soaking.

What to Do

  • Wash your hands prior to touching the piercing; leave it alone except when cleaning. During healing it is not necessary to rotate your jewellery.
  • Exercise during healing is fine; listen to your body.
  • Make sure your bedding is washed and changed regularly. Wear clean, comfortable, breathable clothing that protects your piercing while you are sleeping.
  • 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.
  • Genital Piercings — especially Triangles, Prince Alberts, Ampallangs, and Apadravyas — can bleed freely for the first few days. Be prepared.
  • Additional cleaning after urination is not necessary.
  • Wash your hands before touching on (or near) a healing piercing.
  • 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 clean, disposable barriers on sex toys.
  • Use a new container of water-based lubricant; do not use saliva.
  • After sex, an additional saline soak or clean water rinse is suggested.
  • The healthier your lifestyle, the easier it will be for your piercing to heal.
  • Make sure you're getting enough sleep.
  • To help healing and bolster your ability to fight infection eat a nutritious diet. If you don’t, consider taking nutritional supplements daily.

What is Normal?

  • 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 jewellery. The tissue may tighten around the jewellery as it heals.
  • Once healed: the jewellery 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 jewellery in — do not leave the hole empty.

What to Avoid

  • Avoid cleaning with alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, Dial® or other soaps containing triclosan, 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 jewellery, 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 3M™ Nexcare™ 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 jewellery until the piercing is fully healed.

Hints and Tips - Jewellery:

  • Unless there is a problem with the size, style, or material of the initial jewellery, leave it in the place for the entire healing period. See a qualified piercer to perform any jewellery change that becomes necessary during healing.
  • Contact your piercer for a non-metallic jewellery alternative if your metal jewellery must be temporarily removed (such as for a medical procedure).
  • Leave jewellery in at all times. Even healed piercings that you have had for 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 jewellery for tightness (“righty-tighty, lefty-loosey”).
  • Should you decide you no longer want the piercing, simply remove the jewellery (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.
  • In the event an infection is suspected, quality jewellery or an inert alternative should be left in place to allow for drainage of the infection. If the jewellery is removed, the surface cells can close up, which can seal the infection inside the piercing channel and result in an abscess. Until an infection is cleared up, leave in quality jewellery or an appropriate substitute.

Genital Piercings

This aftercare information is from our years of experience as professional piercers, as well as the Suggested Aftercare Guidelines for Body Piercings brochure - courtesy of the APP. Please contact us if you require any further information.

What to clean your piercing with

NeilMed Sterile Saline solution is a gentle choice for piercing aftercare. (We do not recommend the use of any other spray product.) If you did not purchase NeilMed with your piercing, a sea salt solution mixture can be a viable alternative.
Dissolve 1⁄8 to 1⁄4 teaspoon of non-iodized, fine grain sea salt into one cup (250ml) of boiled water (don't burn yourself! Let it cool to a warm temperature before use). A stronger mixture is not better; salt solution that is too strong can irritate the piercing.



How to clean your fresh piercing

  • Spray with NeilMed Sterile Saline 2 times per day.
  • Alternatively, soak the piercing in a sea salt solution mixture. It is best to fully submerge your piercing into this solution for 2-5 minutes.
  • Do not twist or move your jewellery when cleaning. Do not pick off any dry blood or crusting.
  • Let the saline break down any discharge, and gently wipe away with a clean cotton tip after soaking.

What to Do

  • Wash your hands prior to touching the piercing; leave it alone except when cleaning. During healing it is not necessary to rotate your jewellery.
  • Exercise during healing is fine; listen to your body.
  • Make sure your bedding is washed and changed regularly. Wear clean, comfortable, breathable clothing that protects your piercing while you are sleeping.
  • 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.
  • Genital Piercings — especially Triangles, Prince Alberts, Ampallangs, and Apadravyas — can bleed freely for the first few days. Be prepared.
  • Additional cleaning after urination is not necessary.
  • Wash your hands before touching on (or near) a healing piercing.
  • 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 clean, disposable barriers on sex toys.
  • Use a new container of water-based lubricant; do not use saliva.
  • After sex, an additional saline soak or clean water rinse is suggested.
  • The healthier your lifestyle, the easier it will be for your piercing to heal.
  • Make sure you're getting enough sleep.
  • To help healing and bolster your ability to fight infection eat a nutritious diet. If you don’t, consider taking nutritional supplements daily.

What is Normal?

  • 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 jewellery. The tissue may tighten around the jewellery as it heals.
  • Once healed: the jewellery 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 jewellery in — do not leave the hole empty.

What to Avoid

  • Avoid cleaning with alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, Dial® or other soaps containing triclosan, 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 jewellery, 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 3M™ Nexcare™ 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 jewellery until the piercing is fully healed.

Hints and Tips - Jewellery:

  • Unless there is a problem with the size, style, or material of the initial jewellery, leave it in the place for the entire healing period. See a qualified piercer to perform any jewellery change that becomes necessary during healing.
  • Contact your piercer for a non-metallic jewellery alternative if your metal jewellery must be temporarily removed (such as for a medical procedure).
  • Leave jewellery in at all times. Even healed piercings that you have had for 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 jewellery for tightness (“righty-tighty, lefty-loosey”).
  • Should you decide you no longer want the piercing, simply remove the jewellery (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.
  • In the event an infection is suspected, quality jewellery or an inert alternative should be left in place to allow for drainage of the infection. If the jewellery is removed, the surface cells can close up, which can seal the infection inside the piercing channel and result in an abscess. Until an infection is cleared up, leave in quality jewellery or an appropriate substitute.

Full healing time for any piercing is standardly from 6 - 12 months. This is the case for any piercing.
This time frame can vary depending on the location of the piercing and type of jewellery used.
Piercing care must be following twice per day for 12 weeks after the piercing is done. Daily cleaning is still required for your piercing for as long as jewellery is worn.
Active piercing cleaning is required while there is any lingering inflammation or as needed.

This link is required by the Victorian Department of Health. Information listed may not align with industry standards.
Victorian Government Skin Penetration Information for Clients