Piercing Aftercare

Professional aftercare instructions for all piercing types

Cleaning Routine (Twice Daily)

  • Wash hands thoroughly
  • Use sterile saline solution (0.9% NaCl)
  • Soak gauze in solution and hold on piercing for 5 minutes
  • Gently rinse away dried discharge
  • Pat dry with clean paper towel

Never

  • Touch with dirty hands
  • Rotate or move the jewelry
  • Remove jewelry before healing is complete
  • Use alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or Betadine
  • Apply antibiotic ointments
  • Swim or hot tub during healing
  • Sleep on the piercing
  • Change jewelry before fully healed

Healing Times

TypeHealingDownsizing
Ear - Lobe6-8 weeks4 weeks
Ear - Cartilage (Helix, Tragus, Conch)6-12 months4-6 weeks
Nose - Nostril4-6 months4 weeks
Nose - Septum2-3 months4 weeks
Lip / Labret / Monroe6-8 weeks2-3 weeks
Tongue4-6 weeks2-3 weeks
Navel9-12 months6-8 weeks
Eyebrow3-4 months4 weeks

When to Contact the Studio or a Doctor

  • Redness spreading beyond the piercing area
  • Yellow/green discharge with bad smell
  • Worsening pain
  • Fever
  • Bump that doesn't go down after 2 weeks
  • Jewelry appearing to migrate or be rejected

Emergency: extreme swelling, difficulty breathing (tongue/lip), high fever — go to ER immediately!