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Piercing Aftercare

  • Piercing Aftercare

Before you freak out: it is normal for a small amount of bleeding, localized swelling, tenderness and/or bruising with a new piercing. Also some discoloration, itching, secretion of a whitish-yellow fluid (not pus) that will form some crust on the jewelry. The tissue may also tighten around the jewelry as it heals.

  • Wash your hands prior to touching the piercing; leave it alone except when cleaning. During healing it is not necessary to rotate your jewelry.
  • 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.
  • Use aftercare, we recommend our own Aftercare solution available at ATS to clean your piercing. Please try to avoid over cleaning it may irritate your piercing.
  • Leave jewelry in at all times. Even healed piercings that you have had for years can shrink or close in minutes! If removed, re-insertion can be difficult or impossible.

What NOT To Do:

  • Avoid all oral contact, rough play, and contact with others’ bodily fluids on or near your piercing during healing.
  • Avoid submerging the piercing in unhygienic bodies of water like lakes, pools, hot tubs, etc. Or, protect your piercing using a waterproof bandage.
  • Avoid using soaps with fragrances or additives, they can irritate the piercing.

Cleaning Solutions

  • Do not mix your own sea salt solution; use sterile saline (.09% sodium chloride).
  • Avoid additives, moisturizers, antibacterials, contact lens saline, nasal sprays, and eye drops.

Cleaning Instructions

  • Wash hands before touching piercing.
  • Spray with sterile saline; do not rotate jewelry.
  • Dry with disposable products; avoid cloth towels.

What is Normal?

  • Initially: Bleeding, swelling, tenderness, bruising.
  • During healing: Discoloration, itching, whitish-yellow fluid crusting.
  • Healing occurs from outside in — continue aftercare for full healing period.
  • Once healed: Jewelry may not move freely; don’t force it.
  • Piercings can close quickly — keep jewelry in.

What to Do

  • Wash hands before touching; don’t twist jewelry.
  • Exercise is fine; avoid aggravating activities.
  • Wash bedding regularly; wear breathable clothing at night.
  • Showers are safer than baths; clean tub before use.

What to Avoid

  • Avoid alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, antibacterial soaps, iodine, ointments, and BZK products.
  • Avoid over-cleaning.
  • Avoid trauma, friction, rough cleaning, and playing with jewelry.
  • Avoid oral contact, rough play, and others’ bodily fluids during healing.
  • Avoid stress, drugs, excess caffeine, nicotine, alcohol.
  • Avoid swimming in lakes, pools, oceans, hot tubs — or protect with waterproof film dressing.
  • Avoid cosmetics, lotions, and sprays on or near piercing.
  • Do not hang objects from jewelry until healed.

Sources:
¹ Cleveland Clinic, “Nutrition Guidelines to Improve Wound Healing” (2008)
² Aviva Glaser, Pesticides and You, 24.3 (2004): 12-17

General Guidelines

  • Wash your hands before touching (directly or near) a healing piercing.
  • Engage in sexual activity only when you feel ready, maintaining hygiene and avoiding trauma.
  • Use barriers such as condoms, dental dams, and waterproof bandages to avoid contact with body fluids.
  • Use protection on sex toys.
  • Use a new container of water-based lubricant; avoid saliva.
  • Shower after intercourse.

Alternative Aftercare

  • Use gentle, fragrance-free soap; avoid antibacterial soap.
  • If sterile saline isn’t available, rinse well during showers and consult your piercer.

Jewelry

  • Leave jewelry in at all times to prevent closure.
  • Check threaded and threadless ends regularly for tightness.
  • If removed permanently, continue cleaning until the hole closes.
  • Consult your physician about jewelry during infection.

Particular Areas

Navel: Protect with a vented eye patch or elastic bandage to avoid irritation.

Ear/Ear Cartilage & Facial: Keep bedding and pillowcases clean, clean personal items, use caution when styling hair, avoid sleeping on piercing.

Nipple: Wear a tight cotton shirt or sports bra for comfort.

Genital: Some piercings may bleed freely for a few days; no extra cleaning after urination is needed.