Aftercare Instructions

First let me make it clear I am not a Doctor. If you think you may have an infection, feel sick, are having a lot of pain, bleeding profusely or have a large amount of swelling that you know just isn't right Go to a Doctor or the Emergency Room.

Its very important to care for your body after you get a new piercing so that you avoid getting an infection and so that the wound heals properly without any extra tissue damage such as skin tearing. Generally when you get a piercing from a professional they will provide you with oral and written aftercare instructions on how to care for your skin at the site of the piercing. However, many people are excited about their new piercing and often forget whatever was said initially and often lose any written instructions. Below are somethings to watch out for.

If you are sick or have recently been sick:Make sure you are completely over any illness you may have just recently had. If you are sick don't rush out and get a new piercing. Wait until you are clear of any symptoms. This will ensure 3 things.

First, if you get an infection you will have a good idea that it is from the piercing and not something else. Secondly, you will heal faster and your immune system will be stronger. Last, you won't make other people at the shop sick.

If you lost or did not get written instructions from the person that gave you the body piercing, the following will help prevent infections and help you to heal faster.

1. Stop any bleeding by putting direct pressure on the piercing site.

2. SwellingYou now have a hole in you and it will want to swell. That is natural but varies from person to person and depending on where on your body the site is. To reduce this simply wrap some ice or a cold pack in a wash cloth and press it against the site. Even if you are not swelling or in any pain immediately after, this is still a good idea because it might swell slowly leaving you with a big knot when you wake up the next morning. I speak from experience on this : ).

2.1 Elevating the piercing area, if possible, will also reduce swelling.

3. Wash the wound for 5 minutes, 3 to 4 times a day with large amounts of warm water and any antibacterial soap.

4. After the first 48 hours, if swelling and bruising are not present, soak the wound in warm water for 20 minutes, 3 to 4 times a day. The warmth of the water will increase the blood flow to the area, which helps reduce the risk of infection. If it is too hard to soak the wound, apply a warm, moist compression pack to the site.

5. If you have a mouth or tongue piercing, use an antibacterial mouthwash, such as Listerine or Scope, 3 to 4 times a day to help the healing process. Avoid smoking, drinking alcohol and spicy foods until the piercing site is fully healed. Besides increasing the likelihood of infection, Smoking restricts blood flow which causes healing to slow.

6. Make sure your jewelry is both cleaned by using alcohol or hot, soapy water. Make sure that any metal jewelry is nonallergenic. Only put Titanium, Gold, stainless steel, Niobium, or Platinum in a new piercing.

7.Beware of tight clothing over any piercing site that is not fully healed. Tight clothes may tug on jewelry or rub against the site and irritate it causing it to heal much slower than normal.

If irritation develops, it is best to bandage the site. Piercing sites usually heal fine with or without a bandage.

8. If the piercing site is red or you are worried about getting an infection, remove the jewelry. Soak the site in warm water for 20 minutes, 3 to 4 times a day. If it is too hard to soak the piercing site (for example, if you had your belly button pierced), apply a warm, moist cloth instead. If the site looks or feels worse during home treatment don't panic but to be safe you should give your doctor a call for further instruction.

Any extra care tips from professionals are extremely welcome!!!!