Healing Times

(These are estimated healing times. How long your piercings takes to heal depends on your body, and how to care for it. If you peircing is still red and crusty then it is not healed and should not be changed.)

Navel: 5-6 months
Nipples: 5-6 months
Cartilage, Tragus, Rook, etc: 3-4 months
Nostril: 3-4 months
Eyebrow: 3-4 months
Ear Lobes: 2-3 months
Lip: 2-3 months
Tongue: 2-3 months

Cleaning Torso/Facial Piercings

The following is suggested aftercare for body piercing which is provided by the Texas health department and tips and tricks that previous clients have had success with. Please consult a health care practitioner if infection or allergic reaction occurs.

All piercings will have slight redness, swelling, clear drainage, crust build up and tenderness. Your piercing can have bruising and/or bleeding the first 48-72 hours.

1. Always wash your hands with antibacterial soap before cleaning your piercing.

2. Apply a small amount of liquid mild antibacterial soap to the desired area and lather. Do not rotate jewelry for this will lead to irritation.

3. After cleaning, rinse and pat dry using a paper towel. Never use cloth for they are havens for bacteria.

4. “Saline Wound Wash Spray” is my favorite aftercare product. Sterile Salt Water in a can helps reduce redness, swelling and crust build up. Simply spray on both sides of the piercing twice daily. Wipe away excess. You can spray a small amount into a the cap of the can, soak a Q-TIP and clean underneath the tops and hard to get to areas. Be careful when using QTIPs – the cotton strings can come off and get stuck on your piercing.

5. Do not pick at the crusties that form around the piercing. They do need to be gently removed. Saline Spray will reduce this but picking can cause the piercing to rip, get infected by your dirty hands or remove the skin around the piercing. Use warm water and a q-tip to remove. If you still can not get your piercing cleaned then schedule a Deep Ear Piercing Cleaning with me!

6. Nostril Piercing: Boogers are going to cling to the inside post. After showering use a q-tip to clean off the post. Steam from the shower will help with this. Do this at least once a day.

7. Oral Piercings: For the outside follow the above directions. For the inside rinse thoroughly for 60 seconds using an antiseptic-alcohol free mouthwash (Biotene, Crest, Scope) after meals, snacks, and before you go to bed. Schedule smoke breaks around your meals. You only need to rinse 5-6 times a day; if your mouth becomes dry and white then you are rinsing too much.

Helpful Info

1. Keep your hands off of it! Not only are your hands dirty but playing with a new piercing may cause it to rip or scar. The only time you need to touch your piercing is when you clean it – be sure to wash your hands before doing so. Also, don’t let anyone else touch, kiss, or lick the piercing until healed.

2. One of the most important factors for a successful healing piercing, is DO NOT SLEEP ON IT. This will prolong healing and cause irritation bumps. If you do sleep on it, then try and reduce putting pressure on it. Use travel pillows, your elbow crook, or cup with hand to protect your ear.

3. Warm & Cold Compress: Cold compresses should be done within the first two days with 10 minutes on and 45 minutes off. This will reduce your initial swelling. Warm compresses after the two days help reduce pain, drain fluids and increase blood circulation which promotes healing. Try this 15-20 minutes up to 3 times a day. There are several ways to do this. Purchasing Hot/Cold Gel Packs from amazon or your local pharmacy. Be sure to use a plastic barrier like a plastic bag to keep gel pack clean. OR Soak sterile gauze from the pharmacy with saline solution and microwave on a plate until warm – not hot or place in the freezer for a few minutes for cold.

4. Avoid soaking in ANY bodies of water, such as but not limited to: lakes, rivers, hot tubs, oceans, pools and even a bath tub for at least 8 weeks. Showering is fine just be sure to rinse off any soap suds. Dry your piercing throughly after getting it wet.

5. Do not change your jewelry sooner than suggested. Your piercing may not be strong enough to tolerate a new piece of jewelry. This does include spacers! I normally suggest changing your piercing to a shorter post at 6-8 weeks. If you still have swelling you may not be ready. On some oral piercings it is suggested to change your barbell/flat back in 2-3 weeks. I suggest waiting until your piercing is fully healed 4-5 months in average before switching to a hoop. Contact us if you think your piercing may be ready.

6. Do not use any other products on your piercing than suggested. These include: rubbing alcohol, peroxide, gels, creams, ointments, betadine, hibiclens, or anything you may think of.

7. Your piercing needs air to breath. Avoid getting facial products (lotions, moisturizers, make-up, etc..) on or around your piercing. These may burn, can irritate and possibly infect the area.

8. Do not take out your jewelry until specified. It differs from person to person on how long you can have the jewelry out without it closing. If you like the piercing leave something in it at all times.

9. Change/wash bedding/pillow cases once a week.

10. Check your beads/ends daily. Navel Jewelry: Dangles are meant to worn for short times. Do not leave one in for long periods of time for it becomes easier to rip out.

11. If you ever change your jewelry and it becomes sore, red or crusty then change the jewelry immediately back to the original piece. You may be allergic to the jewelry.

12. Take Ibuprofen (as directed) to help minimize swelling. For oral piercings, sucking on ice chips may also help. Some people swell more that others. If you start to over swell please come up to be switched into a longer piece of jewelry.

The client shall consult a health care practitioner at the first signs of infection or an allergic reaction, and report and diagnosed infection, allergic reaction, or adverse reaction resulting from the body piercing to the artist and the Texas Department of Health, Drugs, and Medical Devices Division at 1-888-839-6676.