AFTERCARE INSTRUCTIONS
General Info
For the first few days your piercing will be tender. Occasionally, bruising and/or bleeding can occur. During the next few weeks of healing, you may experience any of the following - itching, localised pain & swelling, discharge of a clear or cloudy fluid, crusting on the jewellery caused by the discharge. This can persist for several months with slow healing piercings.
How to clean your new piercing
What to use. Neilmed Sterile Saline Solution. Saline is isotonic, this means it neither over hydrates or dehydrates the skin to cause minimum disruption to the wound healing process.
How often. Twice a day. Over cleaning will cause disruption to wound healing and under cleaning may lead to infection.
Wash your hands! You must wash your hands before and after you clean your piercing to prevent the spread of infection. If you do not wash your hands prior to cleaning, you may be actively transferring bacteria to the wound site.
How to apply it. Hold the canister a few inches away from the piercing and spray the exit wounds, front and back for a few seconds.
Do not twist, turn or remove your jewellery. This will disrupt the formation of the new skin cells, delaying the healing and potentially causing an irritation bump.
Drying your piercing. Once cleansed with sterile saline or after showering, you must gently dry the skin. The best material to use is disposable kitchen towel or lint free gauze. Incorrect drying may lead to irritation bumps.
Do’s and Dont’s
Do check your jewellery is secure regularly. Threaded ends tighten to the right.
Do change your bedding regularly.
Do regularly disinfect any items that might come into contact with your piercing such as glasses, phones, headphones etc.
Do rest, and eat vitamin rich foods. Drink lots of water, dehydration will slow and prevent wound healing.
Do wear clean comfortable or loose fitting clothing if covering the wound site.
Do return to the studio if you have any concerns, if you need to downsize or upsize your jewellery.
Do continue to clean your piercings weekly, once healed, to remove the build-up of dead skin cells/cosmetics etc.
Don’t touch your piercing or allow others to touch your piercing. Handle only when necessary for aftercare with hands that have been washed thoroughly with warm soapy water.
Don’t sleep on your piercing.
Don’t submerge your piercing in unhygienic bodies of water such as pools, hot tubs, lakes etc. If necessary, use a waterproof wound sealant bandage, these work best for nipple/navel placements.
Reduce smoking and alcohol consumption, as these will slow down the wound healing process.
General Complications
In rare occurrences (usually if it has been knocked) swelling may exceed the length of the bar and a longer bar will need to be fitted. Contact us as soon as possible if you suspect this. In the meantime, cold compresses and (if safe for you to do so) take anti-inflammatories, this may bring the swelling down enough that the upsize won’t be necessary.
Piercings are very slow healing wounds. We ask a lot of our body when we ask it to heal a wound with a foreign object in it! Complications can occur at any time and is usually nothing to be worried about, but does need to be addressed. Please contact us at any time if you have any concerns. Complications will be minimised by following the correct aftercare.
Anatomy Specific Aftercare
Lobes, Helix, Flat, Conch, Tragus, Forward Helix these are fitted with a Labret. The labret will seem long at first, however after a few days when swelling occurs this allows the area to do so safely.
After 4-6 weeks, when any swelling has subsided, you will need to book in for a downsize. (This will incur a further cost). A downsize is important and especially necessary for Flat, Helix & Forward Helix, as failure to do so could cause the piercing to heal at an angle. Too much room on the bar causes extra movement and can lead to irritation bumps.
We recommend waiting a minimum of 6 months before changing the jewellery, if desired. However if your piercing is still not settled properly we would advise you to wait longer. Cartilage piercings can take 12-18 months to heal fully. Check with us if you’re unsure!
Rook, Snug & Anti-Tragus piercings will be fitted with a curved barbell. The barbell will seem long at first, however after a few days when swelling occurs this allows the area to do so safely.
After 4-6 weeks, when any swelling has subsided, you may need to book in for a downsize. (This will incur a further cost). Downsizing is important as too much room on the bar causes extra movement and can lead to irritation bumps.
Daith piercings will be fitted with a BCR (Ball Closure Ring). They will not require a downsize.
We recommend waiting a minimum of 6 months before changing the jewellery if desired. However if your piercing is still not settled properly we would advise you to wait longer. Cartilage piercings can take 12-18 months to heal fully. Check with us if you’re unsure!
Nose will be fitted with a Labret. The labret will seem long at first, however after a few days if swelling occurs this allows the area to do so safely.
After 4-6 weeks, when any swelling has subsided, you may need to book in for a downsize. (This will incur a further cost). Downsizing is important as too much room on the bar causes extra movement and can lead to irritation bumps.
It is very important that you keep the area free for make-up/products for the initial healing period.
We recommend waiting a minimum of 6 months before changing your jewellery, if desired, especially if you are changing to a hinged ring. However if your piercing is still not settled properly we would advise you to wait longer. Check with us if you are unsure!
Navel piercings are pierced with a standard size bar. Occasionally the area will swell and you may need a longer bar. If you notice that the top ball is starting to sink in then visit the studio so as we can assess this for you.
Keep the area covered with a medical dressing for the first week. A fresh dressing will need to be applied daily.
Navel piercings can have a higher rate of rejection. This means that the jewellery may grow out or migrate in a short space of time. If you suspect this might be happening, visit the studio so we can advise.
Navel piercings are slow healing and can take 12+ months to fully heal.
We recommend waiting a minimum of 6 months before changing the jewellery if desired. However if your piercing is still not settled properly we would advise you to wait longer. Check with us if you’re unsure!
Nipple piercings are pierced with a slightly longer bar to allow for any swelling, after around 6-8 weeks you may need the bar downsized to a smaller one. (This will incur a fee). Occasionally there maybe instances where you need a longer bar if the area has excess swelling. Keep an eye on your piercing, if either of the balls start to sink in please visit the studio.
Keep the area covered with a medical dressing for the first week. A fresh dressing will need to be applied daily.
Nipple piercings are slow healing and can take 12+ months to fully heal.
We recommend waiting a minimum of 6 months before changing the jewellery if desired. However if your piercing is still not settled properly we would advise you to wait longer. Check with us if you’re unsure!
Septum piercings are fitted with either a Circular Barbell or a Retainer. You will not need to downsize this jewellery. Jewellery can be changed after 3 months if desired.
Industrial piercings are fitted with a Barbell that connects the two piercings. Industrials can be slow healing, taking 12+ months to fully heal. Extra care is needed not to knock or disturb the piercing.
We recommend waiting a minimum of 6 months before changing the jewellery if desired. However if your piercing is still not settled properly, we would advise you to wait longer. Check with us if you’re unsure!
Bridge & Eyebrow piercings are fitted with straight and curved barbells, respectively. The barbell will seem long at first, however after few days when swelling occurs this allows the area to do so safely.
After 4-6 weeks, when any swelling has subsided, you may need to book in for a downsize. (This will incur a further cost). A downsize is usually necessary for a Bridge as too much room on the bar causes extra movement and can also lead to irritation bumps.
In rare occurrences, swelling may exceed the length of the bar, and a longer bar will need to be fitted. Contact us as soon as possible if you suspect this. In the meantime, cold compresses and (if safe for you to do so) take anti-inflammatories, this may bring the swelling down enough that the upsize won’t be necessary.
We recommend waiting a minimum of 3-6 months before changing the jewellery if desired. However if your piercing is still not settled properly we would advise you to wait longer. Check with us if you’re unsure!
High Nostrils will be pierced with much longer labrets than a typical nose piercing as they can swell more. This piercing may require multiple downsizes throughout the healing process. You may even need to come back for upsizes as they can spontaneously swell throughout healing. (This will incur a further fee).
Tongue & Lip piercings are fitted with longer jewellery to accommodate swelling. After 1-2 weeks, you will need to book in for a downsize. (This will incur a further fee.) A downsize is necessary to avoid damage to teeth and gums. Jewellery can be changed after 3 months if desired.
For Tongue, keep talking to a minimum for the first 48 hours. Take your time eating and/or eat soft foods that require less chewing, until the jewellery is downsized. Cold foods and beverages can be soothing and help reduce swelling.
Practice good oral hygiene. Brushing and using alcohol-free mouthwash or a saline rinse after each meal and flossing daily.
In rare occurrences, swelling may exceed the length of the bar, and a longer bar will need to be fitted. Contact us as soon as possible if you suspect this. In the meantime, cold compresses and (if safe for you to do so) take anti-inflammatories, this may bring the swelling down enough that the upsize won’t be necessary.
Smileys & Frownies will be pierced with a BCR or Circular Barbell, they do not require downsizes. Jewellery can be changed after 3 months if desired.
Practice good oral hygiene. Brushing and using alcohol-free mouthwash or a saline rinse after each meal and flossing daily.
Cheek piercings are fitted with quite long jewellery as they will swell a considerable amount for the first few weeks. This piercing will require multiple downsizes throughout the healing process. You may even need to come back for upsizes as they can spontaneously swell throughout healing. (This will incur a further fee). Cheek piercings are slow healing and can take over 12+ months to fully heal.
Practice good oral hygiene. Brushing and using alcohol-free mouthwash or a saline rinse after each meal and flossing daily.