All Piercings ( except oral piercings )
Mix a ¼ teaspoon of sea salt into a 250mL ( 8oz ) glass of waterand microwave for 15 seconds to heat it up to 36-38°C ( 97-100°F ).
Make sure all the salt is dissolved.Soak your piercing with the solution for 10mins twice a day ( in the morning and at night ) for 4 weeks.
This is best done by submerging the piercing into the solution, however if this isn’t possible, keeping the area wet with a swab or similar for the required time should suffice.
While your piercing is healing, it will get a crusty secretion building up around the jewellery.
DO NOT pick this off.
Picking can cause damage to the healing tissue and bacteria could get into the wound, causing an infection.
Whilst soaking, the crust will become very soft and most of it will come off in the solution.
Clean the rest of it off with a Q-tip or cotton bud, wiping gently around the jewellery and rinsing with water. Dry with a paper towel.
- Extra Notes for Ear Piercings -
Avoid changing your hair colour for at least 4 weeks.
Be careful with phones, hats, combs, brushes and towels – make sure these are clean,
are not putting any pressure onto the piercing or knocking the jewellery around.
- Extra Notes for Facial Piercings -
Avoid getting make-up, moisturisers etc directly over the piercing during the healing period.
- Extra Notes for Genital Piercings -
Drink lots of water.
Your own urine is sterile to your body and will help flush the piercing out.
Also, urinating will sting a lot more if you are not drinking plenty of water.
Avoid your piercing coming into contact with others for at least 4 weeks.
Use a condom until your piercing is completely healed (even with your partner) and rinse with water afterwards.
All Oral Piercings
Place a ½ teaspoon of sea salt into 500mL of bottled water and shake well.
Rinse with the solution a few times after every time you eat, drink ( except water ) or smoke for 4 weeks.It is fine to use mouthwash but only in the morning and at night time.
If you use a mouthwash that contains alcohol, mix it 50 : 50 with water.
Avoid spicy food, salty food, dairy food, oral sex and kissing for at least 4 weeks.
No alcohol for 48 hours as this will increase your swelling and no excessive amounts of alcohol during the first few weeks.
Try to stop smoking or cut down as much as you can.
Cold food is good to help reduce swelling.
Buy yourself a new soft tooth brush and do not store it with other peoples’ toothbrushes.
Make sure you have your barbell changed down to a shorter length after 2-3 weeks to avoid any tooth damage.
General Notes
During the first couple of days a little bit of bleeding, swelling, bruising or tenderness is normal.
Do not touch your new piercing with dirty hands.
Do not let anyone else touch your piercing.
No swimming in a pool or spa for 4 weeks.
Do not play with jewellery and try not to catch it with your towel or clothing.
Make sure it is always clean and stay healthy.
Sleep well and try to reduce stress.
Do not use too much sea salt or soak too many times.
It will aggravate the piercing and delay healing time.
These suggestions are based on my experience and knowledge.
If you have any questions you are welcome to contact me.
If anything unusual happens or you are not happy with my advice, please consult your doctor.