Aftercare is a science, not a pre-made formula

Wound Healing Dynamics and the Aftercare Journey

Part of why I'm so passionate about piercings is because I look at it for what it is- A science. A culture. A part of our history. And, a part of fashion.

The part that is arguably the most important-aside from culture- is the science. I believe in knowing the why behind the what. I believe in knowing what we tell clients, not just repeating information. I believe in education. Not just repetition. 

I say the science is the most important part because that is where the clients health and safety hangs in the balance. As practitioners we are entrusted to protect and preserve every clients health, and one small wrong move due to not knowing your basic foundations, can change - and harm- everything. 

Everyone heals differently, so we need to work together to find the right aftercare approach for you. If something is concerning you or doesn't feel right, please book a follow up with our specialists.

While there is a general aftercare approach, the right aftercare method is tailored to the specific person and their environment. The aftercare information I will provide here is based off of my almost 20 years of professional experience, and what works best for most of my clients where we live. 

Here's the truth: your body knows how to heal its wounds.. it's US that get in the way, introduce bacteria, and irritate the bodies natural healing process. The best advice we can give you? Let your body do the work. Our bodies don't need a special solution or chemical to heal. In fact, most products and irritating habits such as touching, sleeping on it, getting it too wet, over cleaning, etc, will almost always ruin your healing journey. Nourish the body, and it will nourish you back. Don't be surprised when your body naturally responds to the foreign object and new puncture wound we have given it. Our new additions don't belong, and your body knows it. It's your piercers job to do it so well, and for you to take care of all our hard work after, that makes it hard for the body to do its job- get rid of the object. 

Piercings generally heal in 3 stages, like a tunnel working towards the middle and around the jewelry. The process will have ups and downs and will change week to week or sometimes day to day.

The three main stages of a piercings healing journey are...

Inflammation, Proliferation (growing new tissue) & Maturing.

WHAT IS NORMAL

Redness, swelling, bleeding, especially while moving around a lot when sleeping and when trauma is introduced, is normal. This might last for 1-3 weeks. 

Mild redness, mild itching, clear, white, off white discharge, and debris. 

The debris we refer to is a collection of dead skin cells, dead blood cells, sweat and oils. Sometimes a build up of too much debris can be a result of over using saline, over cleaning, or poor hygiene. 

It is normal for inflammation to come and go, but we want to have a follow up appointment to see if there is an abnormal cause or if there is anything we can do to keep this to a minimum. 

"Irritation bumps" are very common but we want to do everything we can to reduce your chances of developing one. By getting pierced at Prestigious Piercing, you are already reducing your risk by eliminating all of the most common causes from the piercing process. Remember that these bumps are almost never a keloid, since keloids are the way you genetically scar. Keloids will never come and go, and you will likely already have one on your body if you are going to develop one. There is a huge difference between granulated cells (irritation bumps), hypertrophic scars, and keloids (in which the skin cell has a mutation that causes it to continue growing scar tissue. 

WHAT IS NOT NORMAL

Extreme swelling, redness, stripes coming from the piercing, bright yellow, green, or brown discharge. Excessive bleeding, especially weeks or months after the piercing is done. Excessive discharge is not normal, and might mean that we need to make changes to your routine.

WHAT TO DO... KEEP IT SIMPLE, AND DON'T TOUCH

Always wash your hands first! 

Remember, your piercing is a puncture wound first and foremost.

Saline solution... 

We had people stop using saline for the most part. For where we live, most people do better without it. It can cause too much build up and is drying, causing slower healing. We already live in a salty environment.

But, don't use just anything, an approved sterile saline solution - they're not all made equally! (Steri-wash is great) Save your saline for days the piercing is more inflamed. 

Never remove your jewelry for any reason! Not even for cleaning once it's healed. 

Once or twice a day...

Rinse both sides of your piercing with warm shower water to loosen any debris ("crusties"), dead skin, oils and sweat.

Some days, gently dab away any debris with the corner of non woven sterile gauze soaked in water or saline. We recommend you don't force off any debris, and don't wipe when it is dry. This can cause you to peel off the skin - the protective barrier- and leaves you more exposed to infection and irritation bumps.

For most people, rinsing off the saline residue is best.

Pat/dab dry with non woven sterile gauze.

DO NOT BLOW DRY SALINE ON YOUR SKIN, this causes a reaction.

We are really entrusting you to be gentle and do these instructions exactly! Going overboard with wiping and drying or using rough materials such as q tips and paper towels can do serious damage to your piercing.

WHAT YOU SHOULD NOT DO

Do not constantly clean or dry your piercing off, even when you sweat. This can lead to more inflammation or infection.

Never touch your piercing, not even the tiniest bit! This can cause the most damage. Touching has introduced bacteria, reminded your body there's a healing foreign object there, and now you've also caused some inflammation. Even when you're inspecting it, talking about it, pointing at it, STOP TOUCHING IT. We can point and not touch. Practice this consciously. Bluntly, it's gross. It's bad for everyone's health, and is the cause of many infectious bacterial outbreaks. 

Do not rotate your piercing, wiggle it, "unstick it" or work anything into it. It's not possible that we will stick to metal, so when we rotate the jewelry or move it at all we are actually breaking the scabs and skin that is trying to heal inside, making it start over onto a rough, inflamed surface and a hole full of broken scabs. 

Do not remove your jewelry to clean it, even when it's healed we recommend you seek our help, until it's healed enough and you get good at it. Even a healed piercing will shrink or get damaged when changing it. - its the bodies natural protective response to close a foreign opening pathogens could enter.

No swimming, submerging, sand, or mud, for at least 3 months. Completely avoid hot tubs and steam saunas. Even too much sun exposure can cause complications.

Do not use harsh products, even products that claim they're for piercings should be avoided! No alcohol, soap, antibacterials, Bactine, bandaid spray, antiseptics, acids, cleansers, salt mixes, oils, peroxide, ointments, etc. Most of these products are more suitable for minor cuts and scrapes, whereas you are trying to heal a puncture wound with a foreign object. Therefore, using any of these types of products will confuse the body and tell the body to do the opposite of what we are trying to achieve- heal the piercing with minimal scarring and keep the jewelry in place.

Never cover your piercing ! Bandaids and other coverings can cause infection or irritation - bacteria thrives in dark, moist (sweat) warm (body heat) areas. The adhesive can also cause reactions- or simply the unsticking can cause damage and irritation. Look up hard vented eyepatches instead. 

Do not sleep on your piercing! This can result in crooked, irritated piercings, bumps, or having to get rid of the piercing completely. Neck pillows are popular but hair clips by the ears are even better!

Do not apply makeup or other products, hair products, perfumes, lotions, or sun screens near the area- they will end up in the piercing. 

Smoking restricts your blood supply and can contain toxins and chemicals, even vaping, so it should be avoided or at least be done in open-air. 

Unless we're referring to our website and socials, I would never trust advice from the internet, social media, piercing boutiques, or piercing chains.

You see, a successful piercing outcome is more about what you don't do, not about cleaning it with a special solution. Find the right piercer, and leave it alone. 

FOR CERTAIN PIERCINGS...

For oral piercings... 

Get a new tooth brush. Rinse your mouth out after you brush and after you eat, using alcohol free mouth wash such as Biotene. You should try not to rinse more than 2-3 times a day. Rinsing with bottled water helps for snacking and consuming drinks that aren't water. Try to only drink water. Sleep with your head elevated to reduce swelling. Rinse the outside of the piercing (for lips) 2-3 times a day with warm water or saline. Avoid sharing bodily fluids, this also includes sharing drinks and food. Avoid gum, straws, candy, acidic, sour, spicy, salty and sticky foods. Avoid kissing animals. Avoid alcohol, caffeine, smoking, vaping & chewing tobacco. Chew slow, small bites, and ease into normal activities after the first 4-6 weeks. After 2-3 weeks brush the tongue and jewelry gently to remove plaque and build up. To avoid damaging your teeth, get a downsize!

For navel piercings...

Avoid high waisted clothing, even if it is soft/loose. Avoid crop tops because they leave it exposed to the elements and bacteria. Avoid belts and seat belts or purses from touching it and snagging. Avoid slouching and stomach sleeping. Avoid horseback riding or motorcycles. Avoid covering the piercings. For sports, a hard vented eyepatch is helpful to protect it, but leaving it able to breathe. Avoid bodily fluids from others. Never cover it with a bandaid.

For intimate piercings, including nipples...

Avoid bodily fluids from others. You can have intimacy, but use protection while healing, even if it's the same partner. If you are intimate, you should not feel anything touching your piercing while it is healing. Avoid luffas or wash cloths. Avoid horseback riding or motorcycles. Avoid covering the piercings. Rinse with bottled water while you urinate. Rinse with water or saline after you shower. Pat dry, be careful wiping, and avoid feminine wipes, sprays and soaps. Change your underwear throughout the day if needed.

TIPS & TRICKS

What is a keloid?

A keloid is an overgrowth of scar tissue, it is a permanent growth, often misshapen and spreads away from the piercing, it doesn't come and go, and is firm. This is genetic or is more common with melanated individuals. Keloids will never go away without a procedure. If your bump went away, it wasn't a keloid!

What is an irritation bump?

An irritation bump is a collection of collagen and inflamed cells- usually the result of persistent trauma or irritations. This is the symptom of bad habits or a bad piercing/jewelry/aftercare. Get rid of the cause, and the bump will also go away. The most common causes are sleeping on the piercing, touching it even a little, moving the body part or jewelry, q tips, too much moisture, too much cleaning, wiping, picking, hormones, allergies, stress, jewelry that's too long, wet skin and hair, hair and products, environment, medications, etc. Let us know so we can help ! We will always recommend a dry warm compress along with a custom plan. Sometimes you just have to give it time, which can be the hardest part!

Warm Compresses

Warm compresses help increase blood flow, leading to quicker healing time, they also help reduce swelling and inflammation. You should never do a wet compress (breeding bacteria or creating a soggy scab!). A little bit of pressure is beneficial for wound care, but only lightly. Using an ice bag (ice pack section) fill it about a quarter of the way with very warm water. Rest it on the piercing area so it flattens out and has a little weight to it. Let rest for 15 min on and 15 min off. 1-2 times a day. Some clients rotate hot and cold compresses for inflammation.

Covering Your Piercing

You should never cover your piercing whether to protect it or hide it for sports! Covering a wound can cause an infection and the adhesive can cause inflammation. It might not be a good fit for your lifestyle or we might have to use a freckle style piece of jewelry. Clear jewelry can be more visible & fall out easily, and plastics are not safe for healing or hot temperatures. Hard vented eyepatches are on our amazon list!

Medical Procedures & Scans

The jewelry you get from us is implant grade, non-reactive and generally safe to wear for any and all procedures. Request that the staff test the metal and cover the piercing with a surgical tape if necessary, you should not be forced to remove safe jewelry. Our jewelry is safer than braces.

Why does cartilage take so long to heal?

Cartilage tissue lacks blood supply. There isn't any blood flowing through cartilage - therefore there isn't any life support. The only life support and healing properties a cartilage piercing gets is through the very thin skin and tiny little capillaries inside the skin surrounding it. So, everything is exaggerated when it comes to cartilage. Not to mention the foreign object your body wants gone.

Good hygiene, a clean environment, nutrition & hydration

Your personal hygiene and your environment play a bigger role in your healing experience than you might realize. Your hair holds sweat, oils, outside bacteria, so keeping it clean and dry is very important. Keeping your bedding clean, even using a fresh t shirt over your pillow every night can be very helpful. Showering once or twice a day, keeping your environment clean of dust and pet hair as well as keeping your air clean and fresh, are all very important. Hydration helps with blood supply, which helps our wounds heal. Eating a healthy, well balanced diet and maintaining gut health is also crucial for the immune system to function properly.

HEALING TIMES & CHECK UPS

These healing estimates are based on our geographical area. Keep in mind health, habits and environment can make you heal differently.

Cartilage .... 6mo - 1 yr.                      Oral .... 1 - 3 mo                   Intimate .... 2 - 8 mo

Nostril .... 6mo - 1 yr                           Lips .... 3 - 6 mo                  Nipple .... 6 mo - 1 yr

Septum .... 2 - 3 mo                           Surface .... 4 - 8 mo

Lobes .... 2 - 6 mo                              Bridge .... 4 - 6 mo

Navel .... 6 - 9 mo                               Eyebrow .... 4 - 6 mo

You should book a check up/ downsize/ or "not sure" appointment 4-6 weeks after getting a piercing. Sometimes, this can wait until 8 weeks but it's better to check sooner vs later. We need to replace the length of your jewelry as your swelling goes down so you can heal faster with less irritation & movement. This will help prevent irritation bumps and gives us the chance to clean it for you and update you on how you are healing.

Never remove your jewelry for any reason unless your doctor is giving you treatment and the jewelry is now too tight. Not even for cleaning once it's healed. 

If you suspect an infection, notify us right away and see your doctor for treatment! Sometimes, we just need to upsize your jewelry to relieve inflammation and do some troubleshooting. Remember, infections don't go away just by removing the jewelry and need to be verified with medical testing, inflammation can imitate infection symptoms so ask your doctor to verify! An infected piercing shouldn't need to be removed if you are treating the infection, since the problem is not caused by the jewelry.