Piercing Aftercare
Keep your piercing clean, avoid unnecessary movement and give it time to heal. Follow the advice your piercer gave you for the placement and jewellery you have.
Your daily routine
- Wash your hands before touching or cleaning the piercing.
- Clean morning and evening with the NeilMed piercing aftercare spray recommended by the studio, or a sterile saline wound wash containing 0.9% sodium chloride without additives.
- Gently dry the area with clean disposable gauze or a paper towel. Do not leave moisture trapped around the piercing.
- Do not twist, rotate or play with the jewellery. Do not pick crusts with your fingers.
- Keep hair products, cosmetics and harsh chemicals away from the area. Avoid pressure from sleeping, tight clothing, hats, earphones or glasses.
Healing and jewellery
Healing time depends on the piercing and the person; some piercings take many months. Leave jewellery in place and let a qualified piercer handle downsizing or changes during healing. Ask the studio when your check-up is due.
With clean hands, check that jewellery ends are secure as shown by your piercer. If you are unsure, let the studio check them rather than forcing or overtightening anything.
For oral piercings
- Use an alcohol-free, peroxide-free mouth rinse as advised. Keep up gentle brushing and flossing, and rinse with water after eating.
- Cold foods or small pieces of ice allowed to melt in your mouth may help with initial swelling. Ask a pharmacist if you need advice about suitable pain relief.
- Avoid very hot or spicy food, alcohol, smoking and playing with the jewellery. Avoid kissing or oral sexual contact while healing.
- Book a review for downsizing once the swelling has settled. Your piercer will advise the right timing; do not change healing jewellery yourself.
Suspect an infection?
Ask for an urgent GP appointment or contact NHS 111 if the area is increasingly swollen, painful, hot or very red/dark, if there is pus, or if you feel feverish, shivery or unwell. Leave the jewellery in unless a doctor tells you to remove it. Do not wait for a studio reply.
If swelling makes breathing or swallowing difficult, seek emergency medical help immediately.
Contact Flesh for routine healing and jewellery questions: 0161 222 8433 or info@fleshtattoo.co.uk.
Further guidance: NHS: Infected piercings; Association of Professional Piercers: Body aftercare and Oral aftercare. This guide does not replace medical advice.