Piercing Aftercare

Aftercare / Minimising Risk of Complications:
Most Piercings will bleed at first but this should stop within a few minutes. Gentle pressure on or around the piercing will slow bleeding, but if it’s excessive or persists medical advice should be sought
Remember all pierced areas will swell immediately and the jewellery used is designed to accommodate this. Tongue piercings my swell to the limit of the bar inserted and this can be reduced by rinsing the mouth with iced water.

If the jewellery becomes too tight because of swelling consult your piercer immediately. If however you have a tongue piercing and begin to experience neck pain or problems with swallowing. Contact a medical practitioner immediately or go direct to an Accident and Emergency Department.
Always wash and dry you hands before and after any essential handling of a new piercing e.g cleaning of the area.
Avoid unnecessary touching, scratching or picking to reduce the risk of introducing infection. Avoid swimming and sunbeds/sun bathing.
After removing any initial dressing applied by the piercer, clean the piercing twice a day – the use of boiled water, allowed to cool, and clean gauze or other non-disintegrating cotton wool swabs is best for this. Sterile(normal) saline purchased in sachets from your pharmacy is also suitable for this.

Gently Soak off and wipe away any crusty formations at the wound site – do not pick them off.

Avoid applying hot cleaning solutions or surgical spirit on the treated areas as they can damage delicate healing skin.

If possible, shower rather than bathe whilst the piercing is healing so that unnecessary water submersion is avoided.

Pat Dry the Pierced area after cleaning – do not rub as this could snag jewellery and tear healing tissue.
Do not use skin products or cleaning products on the area that have not been recommended by your piercer or are not intended for open wound healing. There is generally no need to use any other skin antiseptic products and you should not share products with others.
Avoid catching the piercing on clothes or with tooth brushes, hair brushes etc. Always keep a new Piercing covered if working is a dirty or dusty environment,
We only use Titanium jewellery for the initial piercing. Once the piercing has healed this can be replaced with steel, gold, silver or any other inert material (e.g another piece of titanium jewellery). Only change your Jewellery as directed by the piercer and ensure any new jewellery you buy is of good quality.
If you have any problems or queries please contact you piercer initially. He/She will refer you onto you GP if there are signs of adverse reaction or infection.
Download our Piercing Aftercare Sheet for General Guidance, however please follow the advice of your Piercer.