Piercing Aftercare

Warm Salt Water or chamomile tea Soaks:

Salt water soaks help stimulate air and blood circulation, which facilitates faster healing.  At least two soaks per day should be done for 5-10 minutes.   Additional soaks can be shorter. It is important that the solution be warm.

To make the solution, dissolve     1/4 teaspoon of non-iodized Sea Salt into a one-cup (8 oz) of warm water   in a clean cup.   (A stronger solution is not better, as it can burn the piercing)   Invert the cup over the area to form a seal and soak for desired amount of time.   For certain piercings, a clean cotton ball or gauze pad soaked in the warm salt water and applied to the piercing may be easier, though you will then have to re dip for the warmth to be maintained.   Follow the soak by a clear water rinse.

Warm Chamomile tea soaks are also acceptable. Though this is a less widely accepted means of doing your warm soaks, in my experience it can be quite helpful. Chamomile is a natural anti-inflammatory, & the warmth will also stimulate the needed increased blood circulation to accelerate healing. if you choose to use this method, make sure you use unbleached tea bags. you can directly place the tea bag onto the piercing, but you must make sure to re dip it to maintain it's warmth. this method should also be done for 5-10 minutes at least twice daily.

Cleaning Instructions:

Body piercings should be cleaned twice daily, once in the morning and once at night.   Cleaning more than twice can result in a longer healing time.

1.   Before cleaning, wash hands thoroughly with an anti-bacterial or anti-microbial liquid soap.

2.   Soak the area with warm water and remove any crusties with a Cotton Swab.

3.   Apply antimicrobial soap,   Provon or Satin.   Cleanse the area and the jewelry. Do NOT rotate or move the jewelry at all while cleaning the piercing area. 

4.   Allow the soap to cleanse the piercing for a minute, then rinse the area thoroughly with running water.

5.   Pat the area dry with either gauze or tissue.   Do not use cloth towels because they harbor bacteria.

Good Things to Do:

1.   Leave the piercing alone unless you are cleaning it.   NO PLAYING

2.   Take a multi-vitamin with zinc and vitamin C for faster healing.

3.   Make sure your bedding is clean and changed frequently while healing

4.   Leave jewelry in at all times.   Even old and well-healed piercings can shrink in a matter of   minutes.   If your jewelry must be temporarily removed (such as for a medical procedure), contact Haven body Arts for help.

5.   If you suspect you have an infection, DO NOT REMOVE YOUR   JEWELRY   If the jewelry is removed, you can trap the infection inside resulting in an abscess.   Contact your Piercer and we will advise you in what to do.

Don't Do This:

1.   Don't use Bacitracin, Neosporin, Rubbing Alcohol, Peroxide, Hibiclens, or Betadine.   These products will hinder healing and cause more harm than good!

2.   Avoid submerging your piercings in dirty water, such as pools, lakes and Hottubs.   If you have to go in the water, make sure you cover your piercing with a breathable, non-water permeable wound sealant such as Tegaderm or Clean Seals (found at your local drugstore).

3.   Avoid sleeping on your piercing during healing and any other undue stress.

4.   NO PLAYING!!!   NO TOUCHING!!! NO LICKING OR KISSING!!!

5.   Don't change out starter jewelry until piercing is fully healed unless otherwise advised by your piercer.

Special Tips for Ears and Facial:

1.   Shield piercings from Gel and Hairspray.

2.   Avoid getting makeup or lotion in or near your piercing.

3.   Change your pillowcases frequently.

4.   Clean your telephone receiver or headphones with alcohol frequently.

Special Tips for Genitals:

1.   Sexual activity isn't prohibited, but it must be hygienic.   Use condoms (without Nonoxynol 9) and dental dams for all sexual contact to avoid the sharing of body fluids.   Even in a monogamous relationship, it is important for your piercing's health.

2.   Use water based lubricants such as KYJelly.

3.   Pleasure Plus condoms have extra room for jewelry.

What is Normal:

Bleeding, bruising, discoloration, and swelling are not uncommon.   Some tenderness or discomfort by the new piercing is not unusual.   You may experience stinging, burning, aching, or other unpleasant sensations on and of   for several days or longer.   You may also have some itching, which indicates healing.

Secretion of a fluid which is whitish-yellow in color and makes crusties on the jewelry is perfectly normal.   This is not pus but a combination of dead cells and blood plasma and indicates a healing piercing.   Piercings   have a series of "ups and downs" during healing by seeming healed and then regressing.   Be patient, and clean through the entire healing time even if the pierce appears to be healed.  Feel free to contact HBA with any questions.

Oral Cleaning Instructions:

1.   Rinse your mouth out with either Biotene or Tech 2000 mouthwash for 30-60 seconds when you wake up and before you go to bed.

2.   Rinse with Sea Salt Water or  sterile  saline after everything you eat, drink, or touch with your mouth other than water for the first 2 weeks.   After the 2 weeks, rinse before and after bed and after major meals.

3.   Make a Sea Salt Solution using 4 Tablespoons of non-iodized Sea Salt to 1 gallon of purified or distilled water.

Good Things to Do:

1.   Ice your piercing for the first 48 hours.   Slushies, ice pops, anything cold... just   remember to rinse with salt water or saline afterwards.

2.   An over-the-counter, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory such as Ibuprofen, Aleve, or Advil can be taken to reduce discomfort and diminish swelling for the first few days.

3.   Replace your old toothbrush with a fresh, clean one so you don't introduce bacteria into your new piercing.

4.   Try to sleep with your head propped up for the first few nights to minimuze nighttime swelling.

5.   Try to go slowly when you eat and take small bites when you are getting used to your new jewelry.

6.   Leave your jewelry in at all times.   Even old and well-healed piercings can close in a matter of minutes!

Don't Do This:

1.   No oral or sexual contact including French Kissing for the entire healing period.   Besides mouths and other parts being dirty, you have an open wound in your mouth, STD's can be passed that way (So don't lick things you shouldn't).

2.   Avoid all alcoholic beverages.   These can cause additional swelling, bleeding and discomfort.

3.   Reducing smoking or quitting is recommended for faster healing.

4.   Do not play with the jewelry for the intital healing time beyond normal talking and eating.   Playing can result in migration or the formation of scar tissue.

5.   Do not use Listerine or other mouthwashes that contain alcohol.   They do more harm than good.

What is Normal:

Swelling of the area is perfectly normal and usually lasts for around 7 days.   Some tenderness and/or discomfort is also common.   You may feel aching, pinching, tightness or other unpleasant sensations on and off for several days or longer.   You may experience bleeding or bruising on and off.   This is perfectly normal and not indicative of any complication.

A whitish-yellow secretion may come from your piercing.   This is normal.   It is a combination of blood plasma and dead skin cells.   On non-oral piercings, it forms crusties, but in the mouth, it doesn't get to dry out so it remains moist.   This is not pus,   and indicates a healing piercing.

Single point tips:

Remember to keep your single point pierce covered with a band aid during the initial healing...3-5 days. I like the small circle band aids best. If the bandage is compromised, or gets wet please change it. Some people expierience a reaction to the glue from the band aids, if this happens, try a different brand or gauze with electrical tape. Warm soaks should be done at least twice daily, and cleaning around the pierce with a mild antibacterial soak should be done once a day. Try to avoid undue stress, and anything that may get caught on it should be avoided (ie. loofa sponges, knitted clothing or blankets, seat belts,  necklaces or purses & backpacks). Remember this pierce is different than others, in the respect that you shouldn't try and remove it on your own, if you want it out please come and see me. Removal is quite easy when done properly. The expected healing time is 2-4 weeks, and as soon as it has anchored,you can begin to change your ends. If you remove the end & the tissue grows over the top of the anchor, don't worry, come in and we can remove the thin layer of skin and re-install an attachment. Any other questions or problems, feel free to call or come in for a free consultation.