Care Instructions for external piercings
(Scroll down for internal piercing instructions)
Wash your hands before handling your piercing for any reason during the healing period.
Wash your piercing twice daily with a mild antiseptic such as an anti-bacterial soap or saline solution.
A yellowish matter will secrete from the piercing during the initial healing period. This matter will become dried onto the jewelry and around the openings of the piercing. Before cleaning your piercing, rinse this matter off using warm water and a cotton ball or swab. Once your ring is moving freely, lather the openings and the jewelry and rotate the ring while washing and rinsing. The shower is an excellent place for this.
Oral contact, handling with dirty hands, and rough play are not recomended with any piercing. This kind of treatment can cause an infection, which can delay or prevent healing.
While infections do not occur often, if one occurs, contact your piercer or your physician immediately.
Some people assume that at the end of their healing time, they can remove their jewelry for a length of time and then reinsert it. This is not the case. For ear, nostril, and tongue peircings, something should be kept in the piercing at all times for 2-6 months. If the jewelry is removed prematurely, the delicate new skin can be torn while trying to reinsert it.
IF YOUR JEWELRY SHOULD COME OUT ACCIDENTALLY, YOU SHOULD COME IN IMMEDIATELY TO GET IT REINSERTED OR REPLACED. A NEW PIERCING CAN CLOSE IN A MATTER OF HOURS.
DONT'S
1. Do NOT touch your new piercing with dirty hands. Always wash your hands before handling your jewelry or cleaning your piercing.
2. Do NOT change your jewelry out to novelty items before it has completed healing. They may look good, but most are made with cheaper or low -grade metals which can cause irritation, staining, or even infection.
3. Do NOT use harsh antiseptics such as alcohol, peroxide, or iodine. These actually harm healing tissue with overuse.
Internal Piercing Instructions
note: for labrets, madonnas, and lip pericings, follow both sets of instructions, clean the outside as above, and swish as directed below.
1. Keep your mouth as clean as possible by carrying a small bottle of Listerine with you to swish for 30 seconds 3-4 times a day the first 30 days of your piercing. Do not exceed 3-4 times, some bacteria is needed to maintain a healthy balance in your mouth. Try to avoid irritating substances such as chew, cigarettes, and spicy foods. Yes, alcohol is permitted, but use common sense. If you abuse your piercing, you WILL pay for it in swelling and pain.
2. Another cleaning alternative that can assist in quick healing is a product called Gly-Oxide and is availabel at most drug stores. To use, simply place a couple of drops in the upper and lower openings of your piercing, allow to bubble for a few seconds, then use water to rinse, swish and spit.
3. Since the tongue is a muscle, it will swell for up to a week after the piercing. Sucking on ice for the first few days will reduce discomfort and swelling. This is why you have a longer barbell. When swelling subsides, you can get a 5/8 inch barbell which will fit more comfortably
4. Initially, it may be difficult to speak quickly or clearly, and solid foods will be a challenge. Your tongue will let you know when it is ready.
5. No oral sex or rough play involving your piercing is advised for the initial healing period. The initial healing period for the tongue varies from person to person, but is usually about a month.
6. You must remember to check your barbell daily to ensure that the balls are securely tightened. The top and bottom balls are romovable and can work themselves loose if left unchecked for long periods of time.
Note: The tongue is capable of regenerating tissue and will close up in hours if jewelry is removed .
