Questions? DM @piercingsbytess or @kalamity.kawaii on Instagram.

Cleaning Solutions: Packaged Saline Solution with NO additives (read label)

Recommended solutions: NeilMed Wound Wash – Name brand Saline Wound Wash (can be found at Walmart, Target, CVS, Walgreens. Check first aide section. 

Cleaning Instructions: Wash your hands thoroughly prior to cleaning or touching your piercing for any reason. 

Soak: Soak new piercing in saline solution for 3-5 minutes or spray solution on q-tips and clean 2-3 times a day, daily until fully healed.

Rinse: A brief rinse afterward will remove any residue.

Dry: Dry new piercing after cleaning by gently patting with a clean paper product. Cloth towels can harbor bacteria and snag on jewelry, causing injury. 

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 jewelry.

• DO NOT REMOVE JEWELRY.

• Stay healthy. 

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

• Showers are safer than taking baths, as bathtubs can harbor bacteria. 

WHAT TO AVOID

• Avoid cleaning with Bactine, Betadine, Hibiclens, Rubbing Alcohol, Hydrogen Peroxide, Dial, or other harsh soaps, as these can damage healthy cells which is crucial to healing. 

• Avoid over cleaning. This can delay your healing and cause irritation. 

• Avoid 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 submerging the piercing in unhygienic bodies of water such as pools, hot tubs, lakes, beaches, etc. 

• Avoid all beauty and personal care products on or around the piercing including cosmetics, lotions, sprays, etc. 

• Do not hang charms or any object from your jewelry until the piercing is fully healed. 

WHAT IS NORMAL

• Initially: some bleeding, localized swelling, tenderness, or bruising.

• During healing: some discoloration, itching, secretion of whitish-yellowish 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.

• A piercing may 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 your piercing throughout the entire healing process. 

• Even healed piercings can shrink or close within minutes after having been there for years! This varies from person to person.

HINTS & TIPS

• Always leave the jewelry in.

• With clean hands or paper product, be sure regularly check threaded ends on your jewelry for tightness.

• In the event of an infection or feel that something seems off about your piercing, please contact the piercer(s) right away for immediate action in properly caring and help in the recovery of your healing piercing. 

Contact your piercer(s) if jewelry must be removed (such as a medical procedure) there are non-metallic jewelry options. 

NAVEL

• A hard, vented eye patch or gauze pad (sold at pharmacies) can be applied under tight clothing (such as nylon stocking, high waist clothing) or secure using a length of ace bandage around the body (to avoid irritation from the 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. 

• Travel Pillows can be used for sleep, so you are not applying pressure on your new piercing. 

• 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.

NIPPLES

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