Body Piercing Aftercare
Why Is Aftercare Important?
Piercing aftercare is crucial for several reasons. It ensures proper healing, limits the risk of infection, and helps prevent scarring.
By following this guide and the specific piercing aftercare instructions you will receive from your artist, you'll be well on your way to a beautifully-healed piercing.
The Piercing Healing Process
The process can be divided into three phases:
- Inflammation (a few days to a few weeks)
- Proliferative (dependent on your body's healing process & the piercing you have)
- Maturation (can last a few months to a few years, depending on the piercing)
Phase 1: Inflammation
Also known as the “acceptance stage,” you may experience:
- Blood clotting around the piercing holes and/or jewelry
- Inflammation or swelling
- Tenderness in the area
During this phase, it's important to thoroughly wash your hands before following the cleaning guidelines your piercer has provided.
Phase 2: Proliferative
Your body has now entered the healing stage. During this time:
- The piercing starts to appear normal (not inflamed, tender, or bleeding).
- You may experience a clear or yellowish discharge of lymph, plasma, and dead cells that harden and collect around the piercing hole(s).
Cleaning during this phase is as crucial as ever, as your piercing is still at risk of infection or improper healing.
Phase 3: Maturation
By this point, your piercing is well on its way to healed, but it’s important to note that this phase could take a few years, depending on the location of your piercing. Remember:
- It may still be possible for the piercing to close if you remove the jewelry.
- Always wash your hands before handling your piercing or jewelry.
Piercing Aftercare Dos & Don’ts
Do
- Follow Instructions: Stick to the specific aftercare plan provided by your Bay Ink artist.
- Hand Hygiene: Wash your hands with antimicrobial soap before touching the area.
- Breathable Clothing: Wear loose fabrics that won’t snag or irritate the jewelry.
- Healthy Habits: Stay hydrated and maintain a healthy diet to fuel your immune system.
Don’t
- Over-Clean: It’s tempting, but cleaning too often can delay healing and cause irritation.
- Submerge: Avoid swimming pools, hot tubs, lakes, or baths for at least a few weeks.
- Beauty Products: Keep lotions, sprays, makeup, and perfumes away from the site.
- Harsh Chemicals: Never use alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or harsh antibacterial soaps.
Proper Aftercare for Proper Healing
It takes time for a piercing to heal. You can help things along by carefully following the guidelines your piercer provides. Should you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. Your safety and comfort are our top priorities!
Piercing Aftercare Guide
Piercing Aftercare FAQs
Itching is a very common sign that your body is in the Proliferative Phase. As new skin cells form and the wound contracts, your body releases histamines, which cause that itching sensation. Do not scratch! A cool saline compress can help soothe the itch safely.
Commonly called "crusties," this is actually a good sign. It is a collection of dried lymph fluid and dead skin cells. It shows your body is working to seal the wound. Clean these away gently with saline never pick them with your fingernails.
Irritation (redness and slight swelling) is normal in the first few weeks. However, you should contact us or a medical professional if you notice:
- Extreme heat radiating from the site.
- Thick, green, or foul-smelling discharge.
- Persistent throbbing pain or fever.
We recommend avoiding sleeping directly on a new piercing, especially ear cartilage. Pressure can cause the piercing to shift angle (migration) or cause excessive swelling. A "donut" or travel pillow can help you sleep comfortably without touching the ear.
This depends on the location and piercing you have. Your Bay Ink piercer will let you know how to clean your piercing, as well as how many times per day cleaning is needed.
Wait until the piercing has fully healed (Phase 3) before attempting to remove jewelry. Some piercings can close in just a few hours if left empty, even years after the initial procedure.
Wait at least a few weeks – the longer, the better! Avoiding bodies of water, including baths, will help minimize the risk of infection during the healing process.
No. Ointments (like Neosporin or Vaseline) prevent the air circulation needed for proper healing and can trap bacteria against the wound.