• Most piercings will bleed at first but this should stop within a few minutes. Gentle pressure on or around the pierced site will slow bleeding, but if it is excessive or persists then immediate medical advice should be sought.

• Remember, all pierced regions will tend to swell immediately after treatment, and the item of jewellery inserted will be designed to accommodate this. Tongue piercings may swell to the limit of the inserted bar, and this can be reduced by rinsing the mouth with iced water.

• If the jewellery becomes too tight because of swelling, see your body piercer immediately. If, however, you have a tongue piercing and begin to experience neck pain or problems with swallowing, contact your GP immediately or go direct to your local Accident and Emergency Department.

• Always wash and dry your hands before and after any essential handling of a newly pierced site, e.g. cleaning of the area.

• Avoid unnecessary touching, scratching or picking of the newly pierced site to reduce the risk of introducing infection. In particular, avoid using fingernails to handle jewellery, as the undersides of nails are more likely to introduce infection to the pierced site.

• After removing any initial dressing applied by the piercer, a packaged sterile saline (0.9% sodium chloride only) should be used to clean your piercing twice daily for the whole duration of the healing period. Always dry the piercing thoroughly but gently after each clean. DO NOT use homemade salt water - this is too harsh and aggravates healing tissue.

• Gently soak off and wipe away any crusty formations at the wound site – do not pick them off.

• Do not apply hot cleaning solutions or surgical spirit on the treated area as they can damage delicate healing skin.

• If possible, shower rather than bathe whilst the piercing is healing so that unnecessary water submersion is avoided.

• Pat dry the pierced area after cleaning – do not rub as this could snag jewellery and tear delicate healing tissue.

• Avoid swimming, sun beds and sun bathing until your new piercing is fully healed, as direct sunlight/chlorine can interact with treated site causing skin irritation and inflammation.

• Try to wear loose, cotton clothing to minimise rubbing and irritation to a newly pierced site, and in general try and keep a new piercing as dry and exposed as possible.

• Always keep a new piercing covered and protected if working in a dirty, dusty or oily environment – a non-adhesive dressing secured with dermatological tape is best.

• Body piercing expected complete healing times are difficult to predict because individuals healing abilities vary, but all clients should be told what to expect in the most casual situations. The healing time is the time required for the jewellery and the pierced site to become dry, free from irritation and healed after the initial tissue damage.

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• Guidelines for healing times are:

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• Ear lobe, eyebrow and nasal septum: 8 to 12 weeks

• Ear (cartilaginous region) and nostril: 2 months to 1 year

• Tongue: 4 weeks to 8 weeks

• Lip: 6 weeks to 12 weeks

• Genital including inner labia and clitoral hood: 4 weeks to 12 weeks

• Nipple: 3 months to 6 months

• Navel: 4 months to 1 year

• Microdermal: 2 months to 6 months

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• Once Your Piercing Has Healed:

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• Once the piercing has healed, you will have an artificial tunnel inside your flesh. This is called a fistula and it also benefits from regular cleaning.

• Infections can often begin as bacterial growth inside the fistula, so flushing through with saline solution every 3 or 4 months (slightly more frequently in the summer months) can help inhibit the build up of germs and bacteria that lead to infections. Some peoples fistula close quite quickly once jewellery is removed so it’s best to have sterilised jewellery and cleaning solutions to hand so the job gets done quicker. Jewellery should be changed by lubricating the tip of the new jewellery with a water based/antiseptic lubricant then slowly insert jewellery in and through the fistula. For more advice approach your body piercer for suggestions.

 

Thank you, Kent Tattoos & Body Piercing xx