Aftercare

If you've followed our advice about finding a good piercer, you now have a piercing that has been performed professionally and appropriately using the best in modern techniques and jewellery, but if that was all there is to it you would already have a completely healed piercing.

Unfortunately it's not as easy as that. Your piercing will take time to heal and needs to be cared for properly over many months. Keeping the piercing from becoming damaged whilst it heals is your job.

Your body has a remarkable ability to heal itself. When you have a cut your skin heals, usually infection-free as long as you leave it alone. We all know that picking scabs can cause infection and scarring, and that knocking or banging cuts or wounds just opens them up again so that they become sore and never heal.

The same is also true about your piercing

Firstly - Please ignore all advice from other sources

The methods we use have been proven to work thousands of times. The combination of the way the piercing is made and the jewellery we use means that all other aftercare methods will be unsuitable

DO NOT listen to 'blokes in the pub', freinds or other 'piercing experts

You must not use anything other than salt water or saline solution to clean piercings.

Alcohol, Surgical Spirit, Hydrogen Peroxide, Dettol, TCP, Witch Hazel and Tea Tree Oil can kill newly forming scar cells, lengthening the time it takes for your piercing to heal and leaving you open to infection and migration for longer. REMEMBER : The quicker you can heal a piercing, the better !

Clean the piercing ONLY WHEN IT IS "CRUSTY". If it isn't "crusty" then leave it alone. Overcleaning your piercing will irritate it, causing it to take longer to heal or even develop problems that could cause your body to reject the jewellery so it's really important to clean it only when it needs it.

During the first 3 days

If you've read the page about pain and endorphines then you know why we tell you to leave it alone for 3 days. During the first 3 days your piercing is beginning to settle. Don't be tempted to prod, poke, pull or touch your piercing during this time. It will not feel sore during this time, but will become sore after the 3rd day if you upset it now. If your piercing is covered with a transparent dressing keep it on during these 3 days. If the dressing comes off - leave it off, but still don't touch the piercing for 3 days.

After 3 days

FIRST WASH YOUR HANDS

It is so important to remember to wash your hands before cleaning your piercing. If you have anti-bacterial soap, please use it. If you transfer bacteria from your hands you could cause an infection to develop.

• Pour some warm water into a clean glass and add half a teaspoon of sea salt to the water. Sea salt contains minerals that help to improve bloodflow to the area, speeding up the healing process.
• Soak your piercing in the water for a few minutes. If you can't dangle your piercing in the water, put the open end of the glass over the piercing whilst bent then stand up.
• Once the piercing has soaked for a while dip a cotton bud ( Q-Tip ) into the water and use this to scrub any crusty bits off the jewellery. Move the jewellery only enough to clean i. Do not turn the jewellery through the piercing as this will tear the newly forming tissue. Make sure that you clean all the crust off the jewellery but dont scrub at the piercing. If there is any loose secretion around the piercing you can clean this off but leave anything that is stuck so that you don't damage the fragile tissue underneath.
• Once you have cleaned the piercing, use a good quality paper towel to dry the area thoroughly. DO NOT USE FABRIC TOWELS as they tend to harbour bacteria and can catch on your piercing.
• Once you've cleaned your piercing leave it alone until it needs cleaning again. If your piercing is getting crusty more than 2 to 3 times a week it is probably being upset by something.

Do's and Don'ts

• DO NOT move the jewellery except to clean it.
• DO NOT prod, poke or pull the piercing.
• DO NOT pull on your skin in order to see it better.
• DO NOT sleep on your piercing.
• DO NOT use sunbeds or fake tan until the piercing has completely healed and be careful not to get make-up too close (remember that if you perspire make-up could run into the piercing).

There are a number of problems that can arise if these instructions are not followed. If you notice any of the following you MUST come in and show us so that we can advise on the best course of treatment.

• The piercing looks red and feels sore.
• There is a lump on or near the piercing
• The piercing feels hot to the touch.
• The piercing weeps constantly.
• The piercing is shrinking and the holes are getting closer together.

To avoid problems with healing we offer a free check-up service. Call in after about 4 weeks so that we can check your piercing. At that point we can tell if it's healing properly and advise what to do if it isn't healing well.

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