Aftercare

How do I care for my new body piercing?

The optimal way to care for your piercing is to clean it once to twice per day for the first two weeks (if you are physically active, try to schedule your cleaning for after you exercise) and leave it alone at all other times. The easiest and most comfortable way to clean your piercing is either during or immediately following a hot shower. The hot water and steam will help soften your skin and loosen the crust at the base of your jewelry (making it easier to remove). While in the shower, wash your hands thoroughly with anti-bacterial soap (any soaps containing fragrances can irritate your piercing or cause allergic reactions). If you are unsure about a product, always consult your piercer before using it.

Sea Salt Soaks (Saline)

I recommend using saline exclusively as a cleaner. Saline is an extremely mild solution with antibacterial properties and has a neutral ph when introduced into a wound. It is generally more cost-effective and less wasteful to make saline with a specific ratio of sea salt and water rather than buying it by the bottle. You can perform your sea salt soaks either in or out of the shower. First, fill a fresh disposable cup with approximately 1 cup (250ml) of lukewarm water and add ¼ teaspoon of non-iodized sea salt, stirring until it is dissolved. Place the cup over the piercing; forming a vacuum-type seal, or dip the piercing into the cup. If either of these techniques are not possible, pre-soak a swab or paper towel in the sea salt solution and firmly press it on your piercing. In order to promote effectiveness, the first sea salt soak should last at least 10 minutes. All additional soaks should last at least 5-10 minutes. Following the sea salt soak, gently pat your piercing and jewelry dry with a fresh disposable paper or cotton product.

*For those who are extremely sensitive, an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory such as ibuprofen (Motrin IB, Advil, etc.) can help reduce swelling and pain.

Additional Tips

According to piercing-friendly physician Dr. Janet L. H. Keating with the Duke University Student Health Service, one of the best ways to care for and heal a piercing is to “promote healthy lifestyle habits.” Some additional tips to keep in mind include:

Remember, a piercing is a wound. Consequently, you should expect tenderness, swelling, discoloration, and possibly bruising, bleeding and itching. Also, a natural part of the process for healing any wound includes the secretion of a white-yellow fluid (containing dead cells and plasma). This fluid will dry and form crust on your jewelry. To properly remove this crust, refer to our primary suggestions for healing your piercing.

• Never touch your piercing without first washing your hands with anti-bacterial soap. This is a great way to avoid infections even after your piercing is healed.
• Do not use petroleum-based ointments (e.g.- Neosporin, Polysporin, Bacitracin, etc.), hydrogen peroxide, rubbing alcohol, Betadine, iodine, and Hibacleanse!!! These substances can hinder and prolong the healing process.
• Check the accessories (e.g.- beads, balls, gem-ends, etc.) on your jewelry for tightness at least once a day. Make sure your hands are first cleaned with anti-bacterial soap!!! Checking your accessories is something that you should make habitual throughout the life of your piercing. Remember: tighten all threaded accessories by turning them to the right (right-tight, left-loose).
• Always wear loose and clean clothing around your new piercing.
• Do not expose your fresh piercing to oral contact or other bodily fluids. Use protective barriers such as condoms, dental dams and finger cots – even if you are in a monogamous relationship.
• Do not expose your piercing to cosmetics such as make-up, hair styling products, lotion, etc.
• Keep your piercing free of hair contact if possible.
• Eat nutrient-dense meals throughout the day and consider supplementing your diet with Vitamin C (1000mg in mineral ascorbate form, up to 3 times a day) and Zinc (120mg for males and 60mg for females). These supplements are most effective during the first 2-3 weeks of the healing process. If you are very active (e.g.- work hard, partake in regular exercise, etc.) extra nutrient-dense meals and an additional multi-vitamin supplement may help keep your immune system working efficiently.
• Drink plenty of fluids. Drinking 8-10 glasses of bottled or purified water per day is a great way to keep your body hydrated.
• Try to get 8 hours of sleep per night, or whatever amount is healthy for you. 8 hours is usually considered the optimal amount of sleep for the body. This will help your body heal as best as possible. If you are living in a high-stress environment, consider resting as much as you can in your down time.
• Try not to sleep on your new piercing. This can cause irritation and prolong the healing process.
• Replace your bedding with clean sets of sheets, blankets and pillow-cases as often as possible during the healing process.
• Do not leave the jewelry out of a piercing for prolonged periods of time! If you must remove your jewelry, either put in a retainer or replace it ASAP. For example, a tongue piercing can close up in a matter of hours.
• Avoid going into a pool, hot tub, lake, etc. These types of water can be unclean and may induce infection.

Cleaning Solutions

An alcohol-free antimicrobial or antibacterial mouth rinse should be used according to package instructions (Oral B alcohol-free). Also, mild sea salt rinses. Dissolve a pinch (1/4 teaspoon) of non-iodized (iodine-free) sea salt to one cup (250ml/8oz) warm to hot distilled or bottled water (avoid hot water for the first few days). If you have high blood pressure or heart problems you will need to eliminate the sea salt and use only plain warm water rinses.

Cleaning Instructions

Rinse mouth for 30-60 seconds with solution after meals during the entire minimum initial healing time. Do not use more than 4-5 times daily and use it over intervals spaced throughout the entire day. Rinse mouth briefly (10-15 seconds) with the mild sea salt mixture no more than twice a day. If you are cleaning too often, the top of your tongue will start to turn a white to yellowish colour. Continue to clean your piercing, but reduce the number of times you are cleaning it per day. A new soft bristled toothbrush should be purchased to help reduce the bacteria that is introduced into your mouth.

What Is Normal?

Swelling of the area is perfectly normal during the first part of healing an oral piercing. It can be greatly reduced by gently sucking on clean ice. Chipped or shaved ice, or small cubes are best. The majority of the swelling usually lasts for only 3-5 days. Plaque may form on tongue jewelry, commonly on the bottom ball and/or post. Scrub your barbell with a soft bristled toothbrush to remove this (gently during healing). Try to be patient and do keep cleaning during the entire initial healing time, even if the piercing seems healed sooner. Each body is unique and healing times can vary considerably. If you have any questions, please contact your piercer. If you like your piercing, leave jewelry in it at all times. Even healed piercings can shrink or close in minutes after having been there for years! This varies from person to person, and even if your ear lobe piercings stay open without jewelry your oral piercing may not! Keep following the care procedures during the entire minimum healing time, even if the piercing seems healed sooner.

What To Do

Try to sleep with your head propped up on pillows during the first few nights of healing; keeping your head above your heart will help to avoid much initial overnight swelling. An over-the-counter, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, etc.) taken according to package instructions can reduce discomfort and it can also help to diminish swelling the first few days. Check daily with clean hands to be sure the threaded ends on your jewelry are on tight. To clean hands, wash them carefully with liquid antibacterial soap. If your hands are not freshly washed, don’t touch yourself above the neck during the initial healing time. Replace your toothbrush and make sure to keep it clean. Try to go slowly when you eat and to take small bites when you are getting used to your new jewelry. Cold foods and beverages feel great and can help diminish swelling. Drink plenty of liquids, especially bottled water. Get enough sleep and eat a nutritious diet. The healthier your lifestyle, the easier it will be for your piercing to heal.

What To Avoid

No oral sexual contact including kissing or oral sex during the entire initial healing period, even if you are in a monogamous relationship. Avoid chewing on gum, tobacco, fingernails, pencils, sunglasses, etc. during healing. Don’t share plates, cups or eating utensils. Reducing smoking or quitting is highly advisable when healing an oral piercing. Smoking increases risks and can lengthen the healing time. Avoid undue stress and recreational drug use. Stay away from aspirin, large amounts of caffeine, and alcoholic beverages for the first several days. Alcoholic beverages include all beer, wine, and hard liquor. These can cause additional swelling, bleeding and discomfort.

Refrain from eating spicy, salty, acidic or hot temperature foods and beverages for a few days. Do not play with the piercing for the initial healing time beyond the necessary movement for speaking and eating. The mouth withstands a lot of trauma from normal speaking and eating. Try to avoid other disturbances such as excessive talking, actively playing with the jewelry, or clicking the jewelry against your teeth. Undue stress on the piercing can cause the formation of unsightly and uncomfortable scar tissue, migration, and other complications. Even after healing, excessive play with oral jewelry can result in permanent damage to teeth, gums, and oral structures. Metal is harder than the human body, be gentle. Do not use Listerine or any other mouthwash that contains alcohol. It can irritate the area and delay healing. Don’t use too many products; select and use only one cleaning solution (Oral B) plus sea salt.

Oral Piercing Hints and Tips

Some piercees will carry a spare ball in their wallet or purse. This is particularly advisable if you wear non-metallic balls such as acrylic, which is more fragile. If you break or lose a ball, a small piece of clean pencil eraser can be press-fit onto the post as an emergency measure to keep the jewelry from coming out until a replacement can be obtained. On barbells/labret studs you may change the ball portion of the jewelry at any time, but the original post should remain until initial swelling is down.

Tongue

Try to focus on keeping your tongue level in your mouth to avoid biting the jewelry as you eat. Your mouth is likely to feel uncoordinated at first, but this will pass. Try eating small bites of solid foods by placing food directly onto the molars with clean fingers or a fork. Food that is already at the back of the mouth doesn’t have to get moved there by your tongue. Gently brush your tongue and jewelry while you are healing. Once healed brush tongue and jewelry thoroughly to keep plaque away.

Lip/Cheek

Be cautious about opening your mouth wide when you eat, as this can result in the backing of the jewelry catching on your teeth. Take small bites and go slowly at first. The outside of the piercing may become somewhat red or pink during healing and this is normal. Refer to the Aftercare Guidelines for Body Piercings sheet for instructions on how to care for the exterior surface of such a piercing.

How do I care for my new Tongue Split?

Click here to download or listen to the tongue split aftercare audio file.