Any type of piercing you choose (ear, nose, lip, eyebrow, tongue, navel, chest, etc.) requires special care to heal properly and avoid infection. By following these guidelines, you will support your piercing’s healing process:
-Do not touch your piercing with dirty hands.
-Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap before touching your piercing or jewelry for any reason.
-Change bed linens and pillowcases regularly (at least 1–2 times per week).
-Use clean towels and avoid sharing them with others.
-Do not twist, turn, or pull on the jewelry during the healing period.
-Be mindful when putting on hats, glasses, masks, or when brushing hair.
-Keep long hair tied back to prevent it from catching on your piercing.
-Avoid pressure on your piercing while sleeping.
–Keep sprays, makeup, lotions, and hair products away from your piercing. When using skincare near facial piercings, apply products at least one finger’s width away from the piercing.
–Clean your piercing 1–2 times per day using sterile saline spray or saline-soaked non-woven gauze.
–If crust or dried discharge is present, soak it with saline on a clean gauze or spray and gently remove using a saline-moistened cotton swab. Do not pick dry crusts.
–Avoid over-cleaning; cleaning too often may cause irritation and delay healing.
-Avoid swimming in pools, hot tubs, lakes, or oceans during the initial healing period if possible.
-Avoid alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or harsh soaps on the piercing.
-Avoid tight or dirty clothing rubbing against body piercings.
-Earlobe: 6–8 weeks
-Cartilage (ear): 4–12 months
-Navel: 6 months–1 year
-Nostril: 3–6 months
-Septum: 6–8 weeks
-Eyebrow: 2–3 months
-Lip/Oral: 2–8 weeks
-Nipple: 4–12 months
Remember, healing times vary by body, lifestyle, and piercing location.
Your new piercing is an open wound and can easily become infected if not cared for properly. Always keep your piercing clean, avoid unnecessary trauma, and ensure your jewelry stays in place until fully healed.
If a piercing is not cared for properly, or if it is pulled, bumped, or injured, it can lead to:
Rejection (the body pushing out the jewelry),
Migration (jewelry moving from its original placement),
Trauma and scarring at the site.
Infection (Severe redness or swelling, Yellow or green discharge with odor, Excessive pain or heat around the area)
It is important to understand that not all piercings will heal on every person, even with proper care. Some bodies do not tolerate certain piercings and may react by:
Chronic irritation,
Non-stop inflammation,
Rejection or migration,
Formation of excessive scar tissue (hypertrophic or keloid scars).
This is your body’s way of rejecting a foreign object. If you experience persistent issues despite correct aftercare, consult your piercer or a healthcare professional. Sometimes, removal of the jewelry is the healthiest option.
Treat your piercing gently and protect it during the entire healing period to avoid these complications.
How do I know if my piercing is infected?
Some redness and discharge are normal during healing, but signs of infection include green/yellow pus, intense swelling, severe pain, and heat around the area. If you notice these symptoms, contact us or a medical professional right away.
When can I change my jewelry?
You should wait until the piercing is fully healed, which varies by type—earlobes may heal in 6–8 weeks, while cartilage or body piercings can take several months. Prematurely changing jewelry can damage the tissue and delay healing.
Can I clean my piercing with alcohol or hydrogen peroxide?
No. These substances are too harsh and can damage healing tissue. Stick to sterile saline or piercing-specific aftercare sprays recommended by your piercer.
What if I accidentally bump or snag my piercing?
It happens! Clean the area immediately with saline, and monitor for swelling or irritation. Try to avoid repeated trauma. If the piercing becomes painful or shows signs of migration, contact us for a check-up.