Aftercare Guide
ARTISTIC CREATIONS TATTOO & PIERCINGS
Congratulations on your new piercing! Here’s our guide to keeping it happy and healthy while it heals. If you have any questions or concerns along the way, don’t hesitate to reach out. Happy healing! 🖤
The Basics* Wash your hands thoroughly before touching your piercing.
* Clean your piercing with sterile saline wound wash while it heals.
* Leave your jewelry in place throughout the healing process unless otherwise instructed by your piercer.
* Do not twist, spin, or rotate your jewelry.
* Avoid over-cleaning your piercing, as this can cause irritation and prolong healing.
How to Clean Your Piercing1. SpraySpray sterile saline directly onto the piercing.2. Let it SoakAllow the saline to sit on the piercing for approximately 30–60 seconds.3. DryGently pat the area dry with clean gauze or a disposable paper towel.Avoid cloth towels around a healing piercing, as they can harbor bacteria and snag on jewelry.Avoid* Alcohol
* Hydrogen peroxide
* Ointments
* Harsh or fragranced products
* Antibacterial soaps
* Homemade salt solutions
* Picking or pulling at crustiesIf crust or discharge has built up around your jewelry, allow warm water in the shower to soften it before gently rinsing it away. Never pick crusties off while they are dry.
During HealingYour piercing is a healing wound, so avoiding unnecessary irritation is just as important as cleaning it.* Avoid sleeping directly on your piercing. Travel pillows can be your best friend!
* Avoid swimming in pools, lakes, oceans, and hot tubs while healing.
* Keep makeup, skincare, lotions, and hair products away from the piercing.
* Avoid snagging your jewelry on clothing, towels, hair, or other objects.
* Avoid unnecessary pressure, friction, or playing with your jewelry.
* Keep bedding, pillowcases, phones, headphones, and other items that regularly contact the area clean.
* Avoid oral contact and contact with other people’s bodily fluids around a healing piercing.
* For oral piercings, follow the additional oral aftercare instructions below.
Jewelry & DownsizingDo not remove or change your jewelry before your piercing is fully healed unless instructed by your piercer or doctor.Many piercings require a jewelry downsize during the healing process. Downsizing should be performed by a qualified piercer once the initial swelling has subsided.We recommend returning to the shop around 4–6 weeks after your initial piercing so we can assess your jewelry and determine whether you’re ready for a downsize. Healing and swelling vary from person to person, so your piercing may be ready sooner or may need a little longer.If you think your jewelry needs to be downsized, is too tight, or is otherwise causing an issue, come see us! We’re happy to help.Even a well-healed piercing can shrink or close quickly after jewelry is removed, so don’t leave your piercing empty if you want to keep it
Healing TimesHealing times vary from person to person and can be affected by placement, anatomy, lifestyle, and irritation. The following are approximate ranges:* Lobes: 6–8 weeks+
* Ear Cartilage: 6–9 months+
* Navel: 6–9 months+
* Nostril: 3–4 months+
* Septum: 6–8 weeks+
* Tongue: 6–8 weeks+
* Lip: 2–3 months+A piercing may feel healed before it is actually finished healing. Piercings heal from the outside inward, so continue your aftercare throughout the entire healing period.
What’s Normal?During healing, you may experience:* Mild swelling
* Mild redness or discoloration
* Tenderness
* Itching
* A small amount of clear, white, or slightly yellowish discharge
* Crust forming around the jewelrySome swelling, tenderness, or discharge is especially common during the first few days.Healing isn’t always linear. A piercing can seem perfectly happy one day and become a little irritated the next. This doesn’t necessarily mean something is wrong.If you’re unsure about something you’re seeing, send us a photo or come by the shop. We’re happy to take a look.
What’s NOT Normal?Contact us if you are concerned about your piercing, especially if you notice:* Severe or rapidly increasing swelling
* Severe or worsening pain
* Thick, foul-smelling, or unusual discharge
* Significant heat accompanied by worsening redness or swelling
* Red streaking extending away from the piercing
* Fever or feeling generally unwell
* Jewelry becoming embedded or swallowed by the surrounding tissueIf you suspect you have an infection or are experiencing symptoms that concern you, seek medical attention. Do not remove jewelry from a potentially infected piercing unless instructed to do so by a medical professional or qualified piercer.
Oral Piercing AftercareOral piercings require a little extra care because they heal inside and outside of the body.Keeping It Clean* Wash your hands thoroughly before touching your piercing.
* Maintain your normal brushing and flossing routine.
* Use an alcohol-free, hydrogen-peroxide-free mouthwash as directed.
* Rinse your mouth thoroughly with clean water after eating, drinking, or smoking.
* Be gentle when brushing your teeth around the jewelry.
* For lip piercings, clean the exterior according to your piercer’s instructions using sterile saline.Avoid During Healing* Alcohol
* Smoking and vaping
* Oral sex and wet kissing
* Extremely spicy, acidic, salty, or very hot foods and drinks if they cause irritation
* Straws
* Playing with or biting the jewelry
* Unnecessary movement of the jewelry
* Swimming and other activities that submerge the piercingCold foods and drinks may help with swelling during the first few days.Downsizing Oral JewelryOral piercings often need to be downsized once the initial swelling has subsided.Come back to the shop approximately 2–3 weeks after your initial piercing so we can assess your jewelry and determine whether you’re ready for a downsize.Do not attempt to change your jewelry yourself during healing.
Our aftercare recommendations are informed by current standards from the Association of Professional Piercers (APP), along with professional piercing practices and recommendations specific to our studio. For additional information, visit safepiercing.org.