Aftercare Instructions: Caring for Your New Piercing!

What you can expect:

Swelling. Many piercings will be noticeably swollen for the first few days to a week, with residual swelling that will continue to decrease gradually in the first month. The original piece of jewelry may seem too long or too large – this extra length is to allow room to accommodate swelling that you may experience.
Initially: some bleeding, localized swelling, redness, bruising, tenderness or soreness. This soreness can last anywhere from the first few days to weeks, sometimes even months for some piercing such as ear cartilage.
During healing: Itching, minimal redness, and secretion of a white, clear, or slightly yellow fluid, which often dries onto the jewelry. Some fluid secretion is normal during the healing period and will stop when the piercing is completely healed. The tissue may also tighten around the jewelry as the piercing heals.
Once healed: The jewelry may not move freely in the piercing. DO NOT force it. If you fail to include cleaning the piercing as 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 while the piercing feels healed, the tissue on the inside remains fragile. Be patient and keep cleaning your piercing during the entire healing period.

Non-Oral Piercings

See saltwater spray:
This product is designed to be used 3-6 times a day when a saline soak is not practical, such as while working or in school. You can spray H2Ocean directly onto your piercing and if there is any crusted material, let the spray sit for 30 seconds, then gently use a clean cotton swab to wipe away the crusted material from your piercing.
In the shower:
At the end of your shower, after you have washed your hair and body, use your clean fingers or a clean cotton swab to clean the piercing area – do not use a washcloth or loofah. You should only be washing the outside of the piercing and the portion of the jewelry that is exposed.
Do not turn, twist or rotate your jewelry, as all of these actions will delay the healing by damaging tissue that is trying to heal.
After your shower, let the piercing air dry or use a disposable paper towel, clean gauze, or a cotton swab to dry your piercing.
Avoid bath towels, as even clean towels can harbor bacteria or have residue from cleaning products that can irritate your piercing.
Once a day check if your jewelry is good closed.

Oral Piercings

Rinse with an alcohol-free mouthwash after meals and after brushing your teeth (Hextril, Perio-Aid). Alcohol-based mouthwashes are too strong for use this often.
Rinse with warm sea salt water solution after snacks and smoking. Sea saltwater rinses will speed healing and ease the healing process.
Avoid drinking alcohol for the first weeks. Alcohol will increase your swelling and can make your piercing bleed.
Eat whatever is comfortable, starting off with smaller bites until you get comfortable eating with your new piercing. Be careful when eating, as your initial jewelry has extra length that you are likely to bite down on.
Avoid oral contact (french kissing, oral sex) The bacteria on your body is different from the bacteria on other people’s bodies. The introduction of foreign bacteria can lead to infection.
Cold items can help reduce swelling including sucking on shaved ice or ice chips and drinking cold beverages such as slushies. If you have a tongue piercing, avoid sucking on a straw for the first week.
Reduce or stop smoking. Smokers may experience considerably longer healing times.
Downsize your jewelry after the 6 weeks. Your piercing was started with a longer piece to allow room for swelling.

Even healed piercings can shrink or close in minutes after having been there for years! If you like your piercing, leave jewelry in it all the time. Contact your piercer if jewelry must be temporarily removed (such as a medical procedure or for work/sports). There are non-metallic jewelry alternatives and options available to “hide” piercings if needed.

What will help you to reduce swelling?

For swelling:

*on oral piercing helps to drink cold chamomile tea, just like regular tea. You can suck ice cubes to reduce swelling. Remember, not to long!!!

*on non-oral piercing you can make oak bark infusion, soak sterile gaze and let it for 10-15 min on pierced place.

Don't drink it!

Make sure you're not allergic on herbs.