CLEANING SOLUTIONS
Use either one or both of the following
solutions for body piercing:
- Packaged sterile saline solution* with no additives (read the
label!) or non-iodized sea salt mixture: Dissolve 1/8 - 1/4
teaspoon of non-iodized (iodine free) sea salt into one cup (8 oz)
of warm distilled or bottled water. A stronger mixture is not
better! Saline solution that is too strong can irritate the
piercing.
- Liquid anti-microbial or germicidal soap.*
CLEANING INSTRUCTIONS
1) WASH your hands thoroughly prior to
cleaning, or touching on or near your piercing for any reason.
2) SALINE soak at least two to three times daily. Simply invert a
cup of warm saline solution over.
the area to form a vacuum for a few minutes. The longer you soak,
the better. For certain placements it may be easier to apply using
fresh gauze or a cotton ball saturated with saline solution. A
brief rinse will remove any residue.
3) SOAP no more than once or twice a day. While showering, lather
up a pearl size drop of the soap to clean the jewelry and the
piercing. Leave the cleanser on the piercing no more than thirty
seconds, then rinse thoroughly to remove all traces of the soap
from the piercing.
4) DRY with disposable paper products such as gauze or tissues,
because cloth towels can harbor bacteria and catch on new
piercings causing injury. Pat gently to avoid trauma.
WHAT IS NORMAL
- Initially: some bleeding, localized
swelling, tenderness, or bruising.
- During healing: some discoloration, itching, secretion of a
whitish-yellow fluid (not pus) that will form some crust on the
jewelry. The tissue may tighten around the jewelry as it heals.
- Once healed: the jewelry may not move freely in the piercing; DO
NOT force it. If you fail to include cleaning your piercing as a
part of your daily hygiene routine, normal but smelly bodily
secretions may accumulate.
- A piercing may seem healed before healing is complete. This is
because piercings heal from the outside in, and although it feels
healed the tissue remains fragile on the inside. BE PATIENT, and
keep cleaning throughout the entire healing period.
- Even healed piercings can shrink or close in minutes after
having been there for years! This varies from person to person; if
you like your piercing, leave the jewelry in place.
WHAT TO DO
- Wash your hands prior to touching the
piercing; leave it alone except when cleaning. It is not necessary
to rotate the jewelry while healing except possibly during
cleaning.
- Stay healthy. Get enough sleep and eat a nutritious diet. The
healthier your lifestyle, the easier it will be for your piercing
to heal. Exercise during healing is fine, just “listen” to your
body.
- Make sure your bedding is kept clean and changed regularly. Wear
clean, comfortable breathable clothing that protects your piercing
while sleeping.
- Showering is safer than taking a bath, because bathtubs tend to
harbor bacteria. If you would like to take a bath, clean the tub
well before each use.
WHAT TO AVOID
- Avoid undue trauma such as friction
from clothing, excessive motion of the area, playing with the
jewelry and vigorous cleaning. These activities can cause the
formation of unsightly and uncomfortable scar tissue, migration,
prolonged healing, and other complications.
- Avoid the use of alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, Betadine, Hibiclens
or ointment.
- Avoid over cleaning. This can delay your healing and irritate
your piercing.
- Avoid all oral contact, rough play, and contact with others’
bodily fluids on or near your piercing during healing.
- Avoid stress and recreational drug use including excessive
caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol.
- Avoid submerging the piercing in bodies of water such as lakes,
pools, jacuzzis, etc. Or protect your piercing using a special
waterproof bandage* such as Tegaderm, which is available at
drugstores.
- Avoid all beauty and personal care products on or around the
piercing including cosmetics, lotions, and sprays, etc.
- Don’t hang charms or any object from your jewelry until the
piercing is fully healed.
Hints and Tips
Jewelry
- Unless there is a problem with the size, style, or material of
the initial jewelry, leave it in place for the entire healing
period. A qualified piercer should perform any necessary jewelry
change that occurs during healing. See APP website for “Picking
your Piercer” brochure.
- Contact your piercer if your jewelry must be temporarily removed
(such as for a medical procedure). There are non-metallic jewelry
alternatives.
- Leave jewelry in at all times. Even old, well-healed piercings
can shrink or close in minutes after having been there for years!
If removed re-insertion can be difficult or impossible.
- With clean hands or paper product, be sure to regularly check
threaded ends on your jewelry for tightness. (“Righty-tighty,
lefty-loosey”).
- Carry a clean spare ball in case of loss or breakage.
- Should you decide you no longer want the piercing, seek
professional help in the removal of the jewelry and continue
cleaning the piercing until the hole closes. In most cases only a
small indentation will remain.
- In the event that an infection is suspected, quality jewelry or
an inert alternative should be left in place to allow for drainage
of the infection. Should the jewelry be removed, the surface
cells can closeup sealing the infection inside the piercing
channel, resulting in an abscess. Until such time an infection is
cleared up, leave quality jewelry in!
For Particular Areas
Navel
- A hard, vented eye patch (sold at pharmacies) can be applied
under tight clothing (such as nylon stockings) or secured using a
length of ace bandage around the body (to avoid irritation from
adhesive). This can protect the area from restrictive clothing,
excess irritation, and impact during physical activities such as
contact sports.
Ear/Ear Cartilage and Facial
- Use the t-shirt trick: dress your pillow in a large, clean
t-shirt and turn it nightly; one clean t-shirt provides four clean
surfaces for sleeping.
- Maintain cleanliness of telephones, headphones, eyeglasses,
helmets, hats and anything that contacts the pierced area.
- Use caution when styling your hair and advise your stylist of a
new or healing piercing.
Nipple
- The support of a tight cotton shirt or sports bra may provide
protection and feel comfortable, especially for sleeping.
Genital
- In most cases you can engage in sexual activity as soon as you
feel ready. Comfort and hygiene are vital.
- During healing all sexual activities must be gentle. To increase
comfort and decrease trauma, soak in warm saline solution or plain
water to remove any crusty matter, prior to sexual activity.
- Use barriers such as condoms, dental dams, and Tegaderm, etc.*
to avoid contact with a partner’s bodily fluids, even in long-term
relationships.
- Use clean, disposable barriers on sex toys.
- Wash hands before touching on or near the piercing.
- Use a new container of water based lubricant.* Do not use your
own saliva as a lubricant.
- After sex, an additional saline soak or clean water rinse is
suggested.
- Prince Albert and Apadravya piercings can bleed freely for the
first few days.
- If using soap, urinate after cleaning any piercing that is near
the urethra. Each body is unique and healing times vary
considerably. If you have any questions, please contact your
piercer.
DISCLAIMER
These guidelines are based on a
combination of vast professional experience, common sense,
research and extensive clinical practice. This is not to be
considered a substitute for medical advice from a doctor. If you
suspect an infection, seek medical attention. Keep in mind that
the removal of jewelry can lead to further complications. Be aware
that many doctors have not received specific training regarding
piercing. Your local piercer may be able to refer you to a
piercing friendly medical professional.