So somebody stabbed you… with your consent, of course. Here’s what to do to care for your brand-new piercing.
A piercing is a procedure whereby a trained professional (always preferable) uses a needle to create a small circular incision in a specific placement in your body. Jewellery is then inserted and you’re likely to look a small percentage cooler afterwards.
Once the piercing decision has been made, there are two things you should keep in mind: 1. the importance of choosing a reputable piercer, and 2. the benefits of taking care of your piercing. Choosing a reputable piercer is significant because you want to be sure that your piercing will be done safely and correctly. A good piercer will use sterile equipment and clean their work area thoroughly before starting the procedure. They'll also answer any questions you have about the piercing process and aftercare instructions so that you know what to expect.
Contrary to popular belief, the procedure is the easy part. No jokes. That stress you feel before the initial piercing is ill-placed. You’re far better off worrying about mucking up the healing part.
Luckily, we’re here to talk about that piercing healing part, so buckle down and take some notes.
Just a few ‘On the Day’ tips…
Rest up, your body needs it.
Avoid consuming alcohol or substances (this includes over-the-counter and prescribed meds if possible) for 24 hours before your appointment.
Make sure to eat something beforehand.
STAY HYDRATED. < this one’s actually the most important.
Dark Neon’s Piercing Aftercare Guide
The basics
There are a few basic best practices to implement into your daily routine from day one. They’ll come in handy down the line when you or anyone you know get piercings again in future, or your piercing experiences some trauma and you need to heal it properly again.
In order to avoid infection, it's vital to clean your piercing regularly. Use mild soap and warm water to clean the area around your piercing twice a day. You should also avoid touching your piercing with dirty hands.
It's also wise to avoid exposing your piercing to excessive amounts of water. This means avoiding swimming or soaking in the tub until your piercing has healed completely. These are the basics, but definitely some good practices to remember.
Taking care of your new piercing may seem like a lot of work, but it's really not that difficult. And the rewards are definitely worth it: a healthy, beautiful piercing that will last for years to come.
The nitty gritty
Initially, it’s ideal to clean the piercing with a sterile saline solution (we sell Tattoo Addict’s Saline spray, but most piercing parlours will stock a similar product). You may need to clean your piercing several times a day, depending on your piercing. Don’t twist or fiddle with the piercing too much unnecessarily.
You should also avoid rough activities or anything that could irritate the piercing. This includes outdoor activities like volleyball and indoor activities like taking off your button-shirt the wrong way.
Try not to use any other over-the-counter topical ointments when healing your piercing without the advice of a reputable piercer or a medical doctor. Sometimes piercings may bleed a few hours or even a day after the procedure - this is completely normal as your body has just suffered a small trauma. This doesn’t necessarily mean something is wrong.
Our best advice is to contact your reputable piercer and they’ll advise the best way forward if something feels off. Just remember to stay calm.
The odd
Some tell-tale things to look out for that may indicate a problem are at least fairly easy to identify.
If you’ve received some kind of surface piercing (this includes things like navel piercings and surface bars on the nape or face), it’s possible that the piercing may start to reject. This can happen immediately during the healing phase or a few years later.
To identify a rejecting piercing - closely monitor the skin over the piercing bar. If this skin starts to peel and stays red - it may be starting to reject. This is specifically true for the skin above the bar of the jewellery. Red skin around the holes doesn’t necessarily indicate rejection, however, so keep that in mind.
If the redness becomes worse over time and the area around your new piercing feels hot and painful - it may be an infection. In this case, you’ll have to see a medical practitioner - it's best to pop your piercer a call/message and confirm whether a doctor’s visit is in order.
The best advice here is to listen to your body, if inflammation seems high and you’re feeling feverish/a bit off, best check with your piercer. The same goes for excessive swelling or strange discharge. Better be safe they say…
Don’t miss the point
The above is advised as a good standard to follow when healing piercings in an optimal situation. We understand that people’s bodies heal differently and may react in unexpected ways. So if anything seems off, contact your piercer immediately and they’ll advise whether it’s best to see a medical professional or not.
Piercings are a great way to express your individuality, but it's essential to take care of them properly. With a little effort, you can keep your piercing healthy and happy.