PIERCING AFTERCARE
To ensure your piercings heal properly, you'll need to give them
a little TLC. Here are our top tips for a smooth aftercare
process.
Feel free to book a follow-up appointment with our professional
piercers, who will be happy to check your piercing, change your
jewellery and offer styling advice.
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a Follow-up
What to expect
It's normal to experience bleeding, bruising, swelling, and tenderness after being pierced.
A pale, odourless fluid may sometimes secrete from the piercing and form a crust (this shouldn't be confused with pus, which would indicate an infection). To clean this fluid and crust, soak a cotton pad or bud in Antibacterial Cleansing Saline Solution and place it on the ear for five minutes. This will soften the fluid/crust and allow you to clean your piercing thoroughly. Make sure you dry your piercing using only fresh disposable paper towels or kitchen roll.
You should be concerned if you get a sensation of heat, pain spreading or an unusual discharge or pus. Contact your piercer if excessive swelling, bleeding or changes in colour or soreness persist.
If you suspect your piercing is infected, visit your local GP.
Cleaning your piercing
Use Antibacterial Cleansing Saline Solution on the front and back of your piercing twice a day (morning and night) for the duration of your healing time (as seen below).
You can purchase Antibacterial Cleansing Saline Solution from
our piercing studio, or ask your local pharmacist to advise you.
Always follow the manufacturers' instructions.
When cleaning your piercing, make sure you wash your hands with
soap and warm water before and after, and dry your hands thoroughly
with a clean towel or disposable paper towel.
HEALING TIMES
- Lobe: 8-12 weeks
- Helix/Forward Helix: 6-12 months
- Tragus: 6-12 months
Things to avoid
- Avoid contact with dirty hands or clothing, and avoid fiddling with, tugging or pulling your piercing. Do not pick at your piercing or any discharge.
- Avoid swimming in chlorinated pools or the sea for 4 weeks and sunbeds or tanning for the first two weeks after getting your piercing. Cover the area with a breathable plaster whilst tanning.
- Don't use soap, beauty products or creams (e.g. Savlon, surgical spirits or TCP) to disinfect the piercing. They will slow the healing process and are deemed too abrasive.
- Avoid sleeping on your piercing as excessive pressure or constantly sleeping on that side can alter the angle of the piercing when healed. Ensure your bedding is clean.
- Keep hair away from the piercing as it carries a lot of dirt and oil. Any contact with shampoo, hairdye or other hair products or make up should be avoided.
- Be aware of your new piercing and try to avoid catching it on clothing such as hats, scarves, etc.
- Do not leave the piercing without jewellery for the first 12 months. Keep your original jewellery in for the duration of your healing time.
Changing your jewellery
Our labret earrings feature a flat back, which allows for maximum comfort and lessens the risk of losing an earring back post-piercing. You shouldn't remove your labret earrings until your piercing is fully healed.
Once you're healed, wash your hands, then hold the earring from the back and lightly unscrew the head of the jewellery to the left, until the head unscrews from the post.
Once removed, clean your earring in saline solution and store in a clean, dry place to keep it looking its best.
Make sure you keep an earring in your new piercing at all times for the first 12 months.
Need help changing your jewellery or picking out a new ear stack? Book a free follow-up appointment and our professional piercers will be on hand to help.
For healed piercings With hoops, huggies and ear charms
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