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BODY & FACIAL PIERCING AFTERCARE
GUIDELINES
CLEANING SOLUTIONS
A mild liquid antimicrobial/germicidal
medicated soap such as Provon or Satin, and water. Inferior
alternatives include products such as Almay Clearly Natural,
Hypocare, NutriBiotic; or other mild, fragrance- and color-free
liquid antibacterial soap. These should possibly be diluted
with distilled or bottled water, depending on product strength.
Also, mild non-iodized (no iodine) sea salt soaks as described
below.
SALT WATER SOAKS
Mild sea salt water soaks are strongly
suggested at least once a day to accelerate healing and
increase your comfort. This may also help to reduce irritation
in the area. Dissolve a pinch (1/4 teaspoon) of sea salt
into one cup (8 oz.) of warm or hot water in a clean cup.
Distilled water is optimal. A stronger solution is not better
as you can burn your piercing with too much salt. Invert
it over the area to form a vacuum and soak directly for
a few minutes. For certain placements it is easier to use
a clean cotton ball or gauze pad soaked in the salt water
and applied to the pierced area. Follow with a clear water
rinse or splash then pat dry with paper products.
Salt water soaks help to stimulate air
and blood circulation which facilitates healing. You can
do a brief salt water soak before your daily cleaning(s)
as well as several additional times a day. It is particularly
advisable to soak before you do anything active, as it will
prevent crust from being pulled inside the piercing as you
move around. Salt water is the only additional product (other
than the cleanser and water) we suggest you use to care
for your piercing.
One soak per day should be for at least
a few minutes. Additional soaks can be brief (1 minute or
so) and still be effective for soothing the area and removing
matter.
CLEANING INSTRUCTIONS
Body piercings need to be cleaned once
or twice daily, every day, for the entire initial healing
time. Most people clean morning and/or night, in the shower.
Do not clean more often as this can irritate your piercing,
and possibly delay your healing. For once-a-day cleanings,
do it at the end of your day. Optimal frequency will depend
on your skin sensitivity, activity level, and environmental
factors.
Before cleanings wash hands thoroughly
with liquid antibacterial soap and hot water. If you wish,
you may wear disposable latex or vinyl gloves and/or also
use a hand sanitizing gel. Never, never touch healing piercings
with dirty hands. This is vital for avoiding infections.
Prepare the area for the cleansing by rinsing
or soaking with warm water and be sure to remove any stubborn
crust using a cotton swab and warm water. Never pick with
fingernails! This step is important for your comfort.
Apply a small handful of cleaning solution
to the area with your clean hands. Cleanse the area and
the jewelry, and gently rotate the jewelry back and forth
a few times to work the solution to the inside. (You do
not need to rotate your jewelry during the first several
cleanings).
Allow the solution to cleanse there for
a minute. You may bathe normally, just don't purposely work
anything other than the cleanser onto the inside of the
piercing.
Rinse the area thoroughly under running
water, while rotating the jewelry back and forth to completely
remove the cleanser from the inside and outside of the piercing.
Gently pat dry with disposable paper products
such as gauze or tissues, as cloth towels can harbor bacteria.
Please try to be patient. Each body is
unique, and healing times can vary considerably. If your
piercing is tender or secreting you should continue the
care regimen, even if it is past the stated average healing
time range.
WHAT IS NORMAL
Bleeding, bruising, discoloration and/or
swelling is not uncommon. Any break in the skin, including
a new piercing can bleed or bruise. These are not indications
of any complication. Reduce intake of aspirin, alcohol,
and caffeine. For above-the-neck piercings try sleeping
with your head elevated above your heart (prop up on some
pillows) to limit overnight swelling. Studies show non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory products such as Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin,
etc.) can help minimize swelling.
Some tenderness or discomfort in the area
of a new piercing is not unusual. You may feel stinging,
burning, aching or other unpleasant sensations off and on
for several days or longer. During healing there may be
some itching.
Secretion of a fluid which contains blood
plasma, lymph and dead cells is perfectly normal. It is
fairly liquid, whitish-yellow in color and forms a crust
on the jewelry at the openings of the piercing. This is
not pus, but indicates a healing piercing.
Once healed your piercing may secrete a
semi-solid white malodorous substance from the oil glands
called sebum. This is not pus, but indicates a healed piercing.
Piercings may have a tendency to have a
series of "ups and downs" during healing by seeming
healed and then regressing. Try to be patient, and do keep
cleaning during the entire initial healing time, even if
the piercing seems healed sooner.
Tightness is normal. Do not expect jewelry
to swing freely in most body piercings, even after they
are thoroughly healed.
WHAT TO DO
Wash your hands prior to contact on or
near the area of your healing piercing!
Leave the piercing alone except for when
you are cleaning it. It is not necessary or advisable to
rotate the ring while healing except during cleanings.
Leave the starter jewelry in during the
entire minimum initial healing time! (Assuming your initial
jewelry is appropriate in terms of metal content, style,
and size. Inappropriate jewelry should be changed out by
a professional.) Those with captive-style rings or barbells
(straight, bent, or circular) can change the bead/ball portion
of the jewelry at any time.
Check twice daily with clean hands to make
sure the balls are screwed on tight on threaded jewelry
such as barbells. Both balls tighten to the right.
If you like your piercing leave jewelry
in at all times. Even old, well-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 body piercing may
not! Contact your piercer if your jewelry must be temporarily
removed (such as for a medical procedure). Monofilament
nylon or another inert non-metallic substance may be able
to be inserted to maintain the piercing until jewelry can
be reinserted.
Make sure your bedding is clean and changed
frequently while you are healing, especially if pets get
into your bed.
Wear clean, comfortable, breathable fabric
clothing in the area of a body piercing.
A multi-vitamin mineral supplement containing
zinc and vitamin C may help boost your body's healing abilities.
Take it with your morning meal according to package instructions.
Get enough sleep, eat a nutritious diet,
avoid undue stress, recreational drugs, and alcohol consumption.
The healthier your lifestyle, the easier it will be for
your piercing to heal.
Showering is safer than taking a bath,
as bath tubs tend to harbor bacteria. To bathe safely, clean
your tub with a bleach product before each bath, and rinse
the tub before you fill it. Also, be sure to do a running
water rinse on your piercing when you are done in the tub.
In the event that the piercing drains a
thick pus discharge instead of the normal liquid secretion,
you may wish to see a physician for evaluation and possible
antibiotic treatment. If you do have an infection, the jewelry
should be left in the piercing to allow for drainage of
pus. If the jewelry is removed, the holes can close up,
resulting in an abscess. LEAVE YOUR JEWELRY IN !
WHAT TO AVOID
Don't use alcohol, peroxide, Betadine or
Hibiclens as they are overly strong and drying which can
hinder healing.
Don't apply any ointment such as Bacitracin,
Neosporin or any triple antibiotic ointment on your piercing.
These prevent oxygen from reaching the wound and form a
sticky residue which can cause complications. They are not
designed for use on healing piercings.
Don't over clean. Cleaning more often than
once or twice a day is NOT better. This can delay your healing
and irritate your piercing.
Don't use too many different products;
select and use only one cleaning solution (such as Provon
or Satin) plus sea salt.
Avoid oral contact, rough play, and contact
with others' bodily fluids on or near your piercing during
healing.
Don't use bandaids on a healing piercing.
They limit air circulation and the adhesive can irritate
the surrounding area.
Avoiding sleeping on a piercing during
healing is advisable.
Don't hang charms or any object from your
jewelry until the piercing is fully healed.
Avoid submerging your piercings in water
such as pools, lakes, jacuzzis, etc. unless you feel confident
that the water is clean enough for you and an open wound
(which is what your piercing is while it is healing).
Most bodies of water harbor large amounts
of bacteria. If there is sea life, motor oil or children
in the water it is not clean enough! If you are going to
be in water of questionable cleanliness, use a breathable,
non water-permeable wound sealant such as Tegaderm or Clean
Seals (available at drugstores and pharmacies) before you
go in, to protect yourself and prevent dirty water from
getting inside your open wound. Cleaning afterwards is not
likely to be effective in preventing infection.
Exercise during healing is fine, just "listen" to your body. Try to avoid activities that put undue stress
on the area. Your own sweat and bodily fluids are not harmful
to your piercing, provided you clean daily as directed.
HINTS FOR PARTICULAR AREAS
NAVEL
Avoid tight, cinching belts and waistbands
and inflexible clothing on the area during healing.
A hard, vented eye patch (sold at pharmacies)
can be applied under tight clothing (such as nylon stockings)
or secured using a length of ace bandage around the body
(to avoid irritation from adhesive). This can protect the
area from restrictive clothing, excess irritation, and impact
during physical activities such as contact sports.
EAR/EAR CARTILAGE AND FACIAL
Shield piercings from hair spray and avoid
getting lotion, make up and other foreign substances in
piercings.
Make sure pillow cases are clean and changed
frequently.
Clean your telephone receiver with a disinfectant
and avoid contact with public telephones.
NIPPLE
It is advisable to sleep in a cotton tank
top or tee shirt especially if you have any pets that get
on or in your bed. Many women find sleeping in a bra or
sports bra to be comfortable with a healing nipple piercing.
GENITAL
Sexual activity isn't prohibited, it must
be hygienic.
Listen to your body! If something feels
sore, it means you need to ease up or stop for the time
being. Use condoms (without Nonoxynol 9) and dental dams
and for all sexual contact to prevent sharing of bodily
fluids. This is required even if you are in a monogamous
relationship. It is mandatory for your health and safety
during the entire minimum initial healing time.
Pleasure Plus condoms have extra room for
jewelry.
Use water-based lubricants such as KY Jelly.
DISCLAIMER
These guidelines are based on a combination
of vast professional experience, common sense, research,
and extensive clinical practice. This is not to be considered
a substitute for medical advice from a doctor. Be aware,
however, that many doctors have no specific training or
experience regarding piercing and may not be educated on
how to best assist you.
Copyright © 2000, by the Association
of Professional Piercers, any changes or deletions are strictly
prohibited and must be approved in writing by the APP.
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