Piercing Aftercare

Oral Piercing Aftercare

Tattoo Aftercare

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PIERCING AFTERCARE

There are various factors which determine the healing time of individual piercings.  These include diet, lifestyle, individual’s immune system & irritation to the piercing during the healing process.  


Precautions

  • DO NOT PICK AT OR TOUCH new piercings unless you’re cleaning them.

  • Wear loose clothing that will allow your piercing to breathe and avoid any excessive friction that may irritate it e.g. waistbands, tight clothing or earphones.

  • Do not use aftercare products, cleansers or other skin care products not SPECIFICALLY RECOMMENDED by your piercer.

  • Avoid ANY contact with dirt, oil, grease and other irritants, as well as  unwashed hands, bodily fluids, make-up, false tan and some body & hair care products (for further advice/clarification please ask your piercer).

  • Avoid swimming and saunas.

  • Keep your piercing out of the sun, and do not use sun beds for the duration of the healing time - DO NOT apply sun block to a new piercing, as it can cause severe irritation.  

  • Try to avoid aggressive exercise of the pierced area & sleeping on piercing. 
     
  • If you absolutely must swim use ‘Tegaderm’ or a similar waterproof dressing, which is especially designed to keep the area dry & clean.

  • Cleaning after or during a bath or shower will simplify the process. You should clean the piercing after rinsing off any other soaps/shampoos used.

  • Do not clean piercing with stronger solutions or more often than recommended by your piercer.

  • Just to be sure - DO NOT PICK AT OR TOUCH new piercings.

  • If there is any sign of infection in your new piercing, please contact your piercer.

By using the appropriate aftercare solution & keeping irritation to a minimum you will ensure the best possible environment for healing your piercing.

 

Aftercare

1. Wash

  • A small amount hypoallergenic soap and warm clean water should be applied to the piercing. 

  •  Any crust formations on or around the jewellery should be soaked off.

  • It is at this stage you should try moving your jewellery, if it hurts, stop and leave it until another day.

  • Rinse off thoroughly with fresh clean water – preferably in the shower.  Continue this step twice daily for entire healing time


2. Rinse

  • Spray a little Salt solution(or  your own saline solution- instructions *below) & soak around the piercing & jewellery. 

  • When totally clean, pat the area dry with a fresh cotton pad.  

  • Continue this step twice daily for entire healing time.

3. Disinfect

  • When your piercing is clean and dry, spray a little Antibacterial Solution on the piercing and let it dry naturally .

  • Use twice daily

  • Step 3 should be discontinued after 15 days or so.

 

How to mix Saline Solution

To make your own mild saline solution mix approx. ¼ teaspoon of sea salt (NOT TABLE OR MINERAL SALT) to ½ pint boiled water.(Water should be left to cool to a comfortable temperature before use.)

 

Hot Compress

  • This is for use only in the case of problematic piercings please consult your piercer before use.

  • Make a mild saline solution by mixing approx. ¼ teaspoon of sea salt (NOT MINERAL SALT) to ½ pint boiled water.(Water should be left to cool to a comfortable temperature before use.)
  • Soak a cotton pad with the saline solution & place on the piercing for about 5 minutes (until it starts to cool down).   This helps to open the pores of the skin.

  • Pour the remainder into a clean container large enough to cover only the immediate area of the piercing (e.g. Navel=mug, eyebrow=long contact lens case or eggcup).  Soak the piercing for 10 minutes, making sure the water is warm at all times.   This draws any impurities or trapped fluid out of the piercing.

  • Apply an antibacterial solution.

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ORAL PIERCING AFTERCARE

In order to help ensure a rapid & full healing process for your piercing, please follow the procedures outlined below fully & carefully, for the entire duration of the healing process.  We also recommend one month’s course of zinc or arnica tablets for all piercings. Remember these suggestions are somewhat generalised.   For more detailed directions & advice, or if you have any adverse reactions, please refer to your piercer.

There are various factors which determine the healing time of individual piercings.  These include diet, lifestyle, individual’s immune system & irritation to the piercing during the healing process
By using the appropriate aftercare solution & keeping irritation to a minimum you will ensure the best possible environment for healing your piercing.

 

Precautions

  • DO NOT PICK or even touch new piercings unless you’re cleaning them.

  • DO NOT SMOKE OR DRINK until piercing is fully healed this will prolong the healing process.

  • Do not play with piercing until it is healed.

  • Avoid spicy food, physically hot food and excessive amounts of dairy products or sugary food.

  • Do not play with piercing, chew gum or indulge in “recreational pharmaceuticals” for at least 3 months after the piercing.

  • Do not use any product not specifically recommended by your piercer.  Eg Savlon Spray, Deflam.

  • Do not kiss or have any other oral contact during the healing time.

  • It is also advisable to change your toothbrush as your present one may harbour bacteria.

  • Avoid any contact with dirt, oil, grease and other irritants, make-up, false tan and some body & hair care products.

  • Avoid swimming and saunas.

  • Cleaning after or during a bath or shower will simplify the process. You should clean the piercing after rinsing any other soaps/shampoos off ?

  • Do not clean piercing with stronger solutions or more often than recommended by your piercer.

  • Just to be sure - DO NOT PICK AT OR TOUCH new piercings.

  • If there is any sign of infection in your piercing, please contact us as soon as possible.

 

Internal aftercare

  • You must wash your mouth out after EVERYTHING you eat or drink until the piercing is fully healed.

  • Use an antibacterial, alcohol-free mouthwash following instructions on bottle. Do not use mouthwash more than 3 times daily.

  • If you need to wash your mouth after using your daily quota of mouthwashes rinse with a mild saline solution (instructions overleaf).

  • With all oral piercings there will be some swelling, this is perfectly normal & the jewellery you have been pierced with is large enough to allow for this.  Try to move your tongue as little as possible, especially for the first 48 hours. 

  • Sleeping with your head elevated (on one or more pillows) above the level of your heart will  help to reduce overnight swelling.  If you are at all worried about the amount of swelling, or if the jewellery starts to become embedded , please call in to have it looked at by your piercer.  

  • Drinking ice-cold water (or using an anti-inflammatory such as Nurofen making sure to follow instructions on pack) can help reduce the swelling.

  • For the first few days of your new piercing eating will be difficult (much more so with tongue piercings).   Depending on the amount of swelling you may be only able to eat soft foods (e.g.  baby food, mashed vegetables,  scrambled egg, warm (never hot) soup, rice, pasta and noodles) the less chewing needed the better.

  • You can graduate to more solid foods as the swelling goes down.

  •  Be sure to return to your piercer to have your jewellery resized. 

  •  Do not stop following these steps until you have returned to your piercer to have your jewellery changed.

 

How to mix Saline Solution

To make your own mild saline solution mix approx. ¼ teaspoon of sea salt (NOT TABLE OR MINERAL SALT) to ½ pint boiled water.(Water should be left to cool to a comfortable temperature before use.)

 

Conclusion

When you get a new piercing, you must be aware that there may be some minor swelling or scarring to the area.   Although not a common occurrence, some piercings have the potential to reject, or grow out.   This is only a caution & you will find that only a very small amount of people are affected in this way.   Should you have any concerns about your new piercing, or in the case of a problematic piercing, it is important that you contact your piercer as soon as possible.

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TATTOO AFTERCARE

  • Leave dressing on for 4 hours.
  • Wash your hands then remove dressing. Gently wash your tattoo using only yours hands, cool or lukewarm water and a hypoallergenic antibacterial liquid soap Rinse soap off thoroughly.
  • Pat tattoo dry with a fresh clean towel or kitchen paper, alternately allow the tattoo to air dry. (Do not wipe dry)
  • Apply a light film of tattoo aftercare product as advised by your artist.
  • Re-cover the tattoo with new dressing. (Use surgical tape as sello/maskingtape adhesive will irritate your skin.)
  •  Repeat steps 2-5 two or three times daily for 2 or 3 days.
  •  After 3 days keep the tattoo moist by using your chosen aftercare until any heavy scab has gone. Do not re-cover tattoo.
  •  When the scab is gone you should use a good quality unperfumed moisturising lotion (like E-45) 3-5 times a day to stop tattoo drying. (If you’ve chosen Tattoo Goo its fine to keep using it instead of lotion)
  • Repeat step 8 for between 2 or 3 weeks.
  •  Enjoy your Tattoo!!!

PRECAUTIONS

  • DO NOT  pick, scratch or even touch your new tattoo unless you’re cleaning it. If the tattoo itches reapply aftercare
  • DO NOT  use aftercare products not specifically recommended by your tattooist e.g. Vaseline or Sudocrem
  • DO NOT  Soak the tattoo in water  e.g. swimming, baths (showers are okay).
  • DO NOT  Expose tattoo to the sun,  use sun beds, steam rooms or saunas.
  • DO NOT  Workout excessively.
  • DO NOT  Use fake tans, oils, cosmetics or sunblock on the tattooed area
  • DO NOT  Let your tattoo get dirty (including touching it with unwashed hands)
  • Wear loose clothing to allow the tattooed area to breathe and avoid friction.

 

By using the appropriate aftercare products, following the aftercare instructions for the entire duration of the healing process and keeping irritation to a minimum you will ensure the best possible healing environment for your tattoo.

 

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