Complete Body Jewellery and Piercing Aftercare Guide

Written by: General Account

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Time to read 5 min

Welcome to Your Healing Journey

 

 

Congratulations on your new piercing! Proper aftercare is crucial for ensuring your piercing heals beautifully and remains healthy for years to come. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about caring for your new piercing.

 

The Golden Rules of Piercing Care

 

1. LITHA Method

 

Leave It The Hell Alone - Your body knows how to heal. The less you interfere, the better your piercing will heal.

 

2. Clean Hands Only

 

Never touch your piercing without washing your hands thoroughly first.

 

3. Quality Jewelry Matters

 

Always use high-grade materials like ASTM-F136 titanium or surgical steel during healing.

 

4. Patience is Key

 

Healing takes time. Rushing the process can lead to complications.

 

Daily Cleaning Routine

 

What You'll Need

 

  • Sterile saline solution (0.9% sodium chloride, no additives)
  • Clean gauze or paper towels (never cotton swabs or cotton balls)
  • Clean hands

 

 

Step-by-Step Cleaning Process

 

Morning & Evening:

 

  1. Wash your hands thoroughly with antibacterial soap
  2. Rinse the piercing with warm water to soften any crusties
  3. Apply saline solution using a spray bottle or by soaking gauze
  4. Let it sit for 30-60 seconds to dissolve any buildup
  5. Gently pat dry with clean gauze or paper towel
  6. Don't rotate or twist the jewelry

Shower Care

 

  • Let warm water run over your piercing
  • Use a small amount of mild, fragrance-free soap around (not on) the piercing
  • Rinse thoroughly to remove all soap residue
  • Avoid direct water pressure on fresh piercings

What's Normal vs. When to Worry

 

Normal Healing Signs ✅

 

  • Mild swelling for the first few days
  • Clear or slightly yellow discharge (lymph fluid)
  • Slight tenderness when touched
  • Crusties around the jewelry (dried lymph)
  • Pink coloration around the piercing site
  • Itching during later healing stages

 

Warning Signs - Contact Your Piercer ⚠️

 

  • Excessive swelling that increases after day 3
  • Green or foul-smelling discharge
  • Red streaks extending from the piercing
  • Excessive heat around the area
  • Severe pain that worsens over time
  • Fever or chills
  • Jewelry embedding into the skin

 

Healing Timelines by Piercing Type

 

Ear Piercings

  • Earlobes: 6-8 weeks
  • Upper lobe: 8-12 weeks
  • Helix/Cartilage: 6-12 months
  • Tragus: 6-12 months
  • Conch: 6-12 months
  • Daith: 6-12 months
  • Rook: 6-12 months

 

Facial Piercings

  • Nostril: 3-6 months
  • Septum: 6-8 weeks
  • Eyebrow: 6-8 weeks
  • Lip: 6-8 weeks
  • Tongue: 4-6 weeks

 

Body Piercings

  • Navel: 6-12 months
  • Nipple: 6-12 months
  • Industrial: 12-18 months

 

Note: Healing times vary based on individual factors, aftercare compliance, and piercing location.

Do's and Don'ts

 

DO ✅

 

  • Clean twice daily with sterile saline solution
  • Sleep on clean pillowcases (change every 2-3 days)
  • Protect from trauma during sports/activities
  • Eat nutritious foods to support healing
  • Stay hydrated
  • Be patient with the healing process
  • Downsize jewelry when appropriate (typically 4-8 weeks)
  • Contact your piercer with any concerns

 

DON'T ❌

 

  • Touch with dirty hands
  • Twist, turn, or rotate the jewelry
  • Use alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or betadine
  • Use cotton swabs or cotton balls
  • Remove jewelry during healing period
  • Sleep directly on fresh piercings
  • Submerge in baths, pools, or hot tubs
  • Use makeup, lotions, or perfumes on the piercing
  • Change jewelry before fully healed

 

Lifestyle Considerations During Healing

 

Sleep

  • Use a travel pillow for ear piercings (sleep with your ear in the hole)
  • Clean pillowcases every 2-3 days
  • Avoid sleeping on fresh piercings

 

Exercise

  • Avoid swimming in pools, lakes, or oceans
  • Protect piercings during contact sports
  • Shower immediately after sweating
  • Avoid gym equipment touching fresh piercings

 

Clothing

  • Loose, breathable fabrics for body piercings
  • Avoid tight headbands for ear piercings
  • Be careful with hair styling around ear piercings

 

When to Downsize Your Jewelry

Why Downsizing Matters

 

Initial jewelry is longer to accommodate swelling. Once swelling subsides, keeping overly long jewelry can:

 

  • Cause snagging and irritation
  • Delay healing
  • Increase risk of complications
  • Look less aesthetic

When to Downsize

  • Ear piercings: 4-8 weeks after initial piercing
  • Facial piercings: 3-6 weeks after initial piercing
  • Body piercings: 6-12 weeks after initial piercing

Signs You're Ready

  • Swelling has completely subsided
  • No pain when jewelry moves naturally
  • No signs of infection or irritation
  • Piercing looks and feels stable

 

Always consult with a professional piercer for downsizing services.

Choosing Quality Jewelry

Best Materials for Healing

  • ASTM F-136 Titanium (implant grade)
  • ASTM F-138 Surgical Steel (316LVM)
  • 14k+ Solid Gold (not gold plated)
  • Niobium
  • Glass (borosilicate)

Materials to Avoid During Healing

  • Surgical steel with nickel content
  • Silver (tarnishes and can stain)
  • Plated jewelry of any kind
  • Acrylic or plastic
  • Wood or organic materials
  • Cheap "surgical steel" from non-reputable sources

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Irritation Bumps

 

Causes: Trauma, poor jewelry quality, overcleaning, sleeping on piercing Solution:

 

  • Identify and eliminate the cause
  • Continue gentle saline cleaning
  • Consider downsizing if jewelry is too long
  • Consult piercer if persistent

Crusties/Discharge

 

Normal: Clear to slightly yellow, odorless Solution:

  • Soften with warm water before cleaning
  • Never pick or forcefully remove
  • Clean gently with saline solution

Swelling

 

Expected: First 3-5 days Concerning: Increasing after day 3, excessive swelling Solution:

 

  • Cold compress (not directly on jewelry)
  • Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory if needed
  • Contact piercer if severe

Professional Aftercare Products

Recommended Saline Solutions

 

  • NeilMed Piercing Aftercare - Fine mist spray
  • H2Ocean Piercing Aftercare - Professional grade
  • Arm & Hammer Simply Saline - No additives
  • Homemade saline: 1/4 teaspoon non-iodized sea salt in 1 cup warm distilled water

What to Avoid

 

  • Bactine
  • Rubbing alcohol
  • Hydrogen peroxide
  • Betadine
  • Tea tree oil (undiluted)
  • Any product with additives or preservatives

Long-Term Care

Once Fully Healed

 

  • Regular cleaning during jewelry changes
  • Quality jewelry to prevent reactions
  • Professional stretching if desired
  • Annual checkups with your piercer

Jewelry Maintenance

 

  • Clean jewelry before insertion
  • Store in clean, dry environment
  • Inspect regularly for damage
  • Replace worn or damaged pieces

When to Seek Professional Help

Contact Your Piercer If:

 

  • Jewelry becomes embedded
  • Severe or worsening swelling
  • Signs of rejection or migration
  • Persistent irritation bumps
  • Questions about healing progress

 

Seek Medical Attention If:

  • Signs of serious infection (fever, red streaks)
  • Allergic reaction to jewelry
  • Injury to the piercing
  • Excessive bleeding

Emergency Care

If Jewelry Gets Caught or Torn:

 

  1. Don't panic
  2. Don't remove jewelry unless bleeding severely
  3. Clean the area gently with saline
  4. Apply pressure to stop bleeding
  5. Contact piercer or seek medical care immediately

If You Must Remove Jewelry:

 

  • Only in true emergencies
  • Clean hands and area first
  • Remove gently without force
  • Seek professional help to reinsert

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Can I change my jewelry myself?

Wait until fully healed and consider having a professional do initial changes to ensure proper fit and sterility.

 

My piercing isn't straight - is this normal?

Some settling during healing is normal, but consult your piercer if you're concerned about placement.

 

Can I sleep on my piercing?

Avoid sleeping directly on fresh piercings. Use protective measures like travel pillows for ear piercings.

 

When can I swim?

Avoid submersion in any body of water until fully healed. This includes pools, hot tubs, baths, lakes, and oceans.

 

Is some discharge normal?

Yes, clear to slightly yellow discharge (lymph) is normal. Green, thick, or foul-smelling discharge is concerning.

 

Contact Information

 

Questions About Your Piercing?

 

Email: enquiries@camdenbodyjewellery.co.uk Response Time: Within 24 Working Hours

 

Professional Piercing Services

 

For piercing, jewelry changes, checkups, and troubleshooting, we recommend consulting with an APP (Association of Professional Piercers) certified piercer in your area.

Emergency Situations

 

For serious infections, injuries, or allergic reactions, seek immediate medical attention from a healthcare provider.

Additional Resources

Professional Organizations

 

  • Association of Professional Piercers (APP) - safepiercing.org
  • UK Association of Professional Piercers (UKAPP) - ukapp.org.uk

Educational Materials

 

  • APP Aftercare Guidelines
  • Body Modification Ezine (BME)
  • Piercing Bible by Elayne Angel

 

This guide is for educational purposes and should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult with healthcare providers for serious concerns.

 

 

Last Updated: July 2025
Version: 1.0

 

Camden Body Jewellery - Where artistry meets biocompatibility

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