Congratulations! You took the plunge and are rocking that new piercing!

HOW YOUR PIERCING HEALS IS UP TO YOU! You’ve just received a body piercing by a professional who cleaned and disinfected the area pierced and used sterile needles, piercing instruments and jewelry. Now it is up to you to take appropriate care of your piercing. Blood and a sense of pain are usual on the first day. Don’t panic, and take something like Ibuprofen-avoid Tylenol and never aspirin as it causes more bleeding.

You also don’t want to use any of the following products on your piercing as it heals Neosporin, Bactine, alcohol, or hydrogen peroxide. These products kill everything, including what is trying to heal; they break apart the scabbing that you’re trying to keep intact. 

You want to avoid all public bodies of water, such as pools, Jacuzzis, the beach, ponds, lakes, etc., while your piercing is healing so you don’t introduce new bacteria and cause an infection.

TIPS WE HAVE LEARNED OVER THE YEARS

All Piercings: Avoid playing with your new piercing as physical irritation is the worst. Leave them alone to allow healing to occur. When clothing is to be in contact with or over the piercing, please use clean, loose and breathable clothes.

“EXPERT” ADVICE: Don’t listen to your friend, your Mom or psychic adviser. We have been doing this far longer than they have. 

WHAT IS NORMAL: Initially: some bleeding, localized swelling, tenderness, or bruising. · During healing: some discoloration, itching, secretion of a whitish-yellow fluid not pus that will form some crust on the jewelry. The tissue may tighten around the jewelry as it heals. · 

Once healed the jewelry may not move freely in the piercing do not force it. If you fail to include cleaning your piercing as part of your daily hygiene routine, normal but odorous bodily secretions may accumulate. A piercing may seem healed before the healing process is complete. This is because they heal from the outside in and although it feels fine, the tissue remains fragile on the inside. Be patient, and keep cleaning throughout the entire healing period Even healed piercings can shrink or close in minutes after having been there for years. This varies from person to person, If you like your piercing, keep your jewelry in and do not leave it empty.   

If you have any concerns, You can stop in or call us (210) 940-5106 Even if you haven't been pierced here at Platinum Tattoos and Piercings if you have concerns about your piercing. Stop in! Our piercers would be glad to help you out!

HOW TO AVOID ALLERGIC REACTIONS

It’s not uncommon for people to have allergic reactions to metal. For example, piercing jewelry made out of nickel is a known culprit for people with sensitive skin. Therefore, when you get pierced, you want to ensure the jewelry is high quality.

Types of high quality metal that will prevent allergic reactions include:

• Implant Grade Surgical steel
• Titanium
• Solid 14- or 18-karat gold
• 
  

HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR EAR PIERCING

Although ear piercings are more common and can be less risky than other body piercings, they can still cause complications if not handled safely. Follow these steps to avoid infection.

1. Always wash your hands before touching newly pierced ears.
2. Leave the earrings in your ears for six weeks or more, even at night. Removing the starter earrings too early may cause the piercings to close.
3. Regularly wash your ears with saline solution Carefully do this at least twice or three times a day to avoid infection.
4. Gently clean the skin around the piercings to keep away germs and prevent scabbing. 

keep an eye on your piercing to make sure they don’t get sore, red or puffy and that the holes don’t ooze yellowish liquid. If any of this occurs and doesn’t go away quickly, call us or seek medical attention as you may have an infection.

HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR NAVEL 

(BELLY BUTTON) PIERCING

It’s important that you follow proper aftercare during the healing process. However, with proper aftercare, the healing process is usually 6 to 8 months.

1. Always wash your hands before touching newly pierced ears.

It’s also advisable to wear low-rise pants and/or loose, breathable garments to ensure that your clothes don’t press or rub against your new piercing.

HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR NIPPLE PIERCING

Lips, cheeks, and tongues require special care. Care for the exterior part of lip and cheek piercings in the fashion recommended on the front of the page as well as using the following info: 

WHAT YOU’LL NEED: Biotene antiseptic mouthwash to rinse your mouth. Ice for tongue piercings helps for lip piercings 

1. Rinse your mouth with Biotene (diluted 50/50 with water) after you eat, drink, smoke or put anything into your mouth for the first 4 weeks. For tongue piercings, gently suck on ice to keep the swelling down for the first few days.

TONGUES: If your tongue piercing is sore and swollen, some ibuprofen avoid Tylenol and never aspirin as it causes more bleeding. Eat slowly, and think about the chewing. Stay away from irritating foods hot and spicy food and drinks which will scald or increase swelling. 

NO KISSING OR SEXUAL CONTACT until it is completely healed. Gently brush your tongue when you brush your teeth it will help remove mucous and dead skin.

Lips: Always rinse the piercing with saline to help it heal faster. Do not play with it. If you leave them alone piercings will heal faster. Alternate sides with any circular jewelry for a least a couple of hours every day or at night while sleeping to prevent the inside lip tissue from “growing” to one side. With labret piercings, you MUST follow up with your piercer in 2-4 weeks to have jewelry checked for adjustment. Not doing so could result in gum irritation or worse, gum recession.

HOW TO CARE FOR GENITAL PIERCINGS

All piercings are an open channel to the blood stream. Especially in the case of genital piercings, sexual contact during the healing phase could be dangerous to you or your partner. Exercise safe sex protocol and use your barrier of choice. Go easy on your new piercings– they will heal much faster if you allow them to. Surprising to some, your urine may be your best ally when healing. Your urine is sterile for your body and the best possible rinsing agent you have barring, of course any urinary tract infections. Substitute it for saline solution when accessible. 

PRODUCTS YOU CAN USE: 

1. NielMed Saline Solution or Non-iodized sea salt but don’t use table salt or Epsom salt. 

2.Pick up some Q-tips, especially when you have a piercing . Where getting at the inside may be difficult. 

INSTRUCTIONS:

 1. Mix Saline Solution or use 1/4 teaspoon of sea salt with 8oz hot Distilled water into cup or shot glass. 

2. Put a cup over your or nipple and lie back, Let is soak for 5 to 10 min or Leave the hot saltwater solution on until it is cold .

3. Gently clean any lymph crusties away from the piercing. Do this 3 to 5 times a day until your piercing is healed. You can use Neilmed spray solution for in between cleaning or after activities such a as exercising ext.

Recommendations

Many women report that wearing a sports bra after nipple piercing helps with soreness (especially for the first few days). Larger-breast woman may be more likely to find this true. Wearing a sport-type bra to bed may be also help.