Piercing aftercare, step by step
A fresh piercing is an open wound that needs very little — but exactly the right little. Here is the routine we ask every client to follow.
Twice a day, nothing more
Spray sterile saline on both sides of the piercing morning and evening, wait a few seconds, then dry gently with a clean paper towel.
Do not rotate, twist or push the jewellery. Movement tears the healing channel and is the single most common reason piercings get irritated.
Never use alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, iodine or antibacterial soap. They kill the new tissue you are trying to grow.
Wash your hands before touching anything near the piercing, and keep hair, headphones, pillowcases and phone screens clean.
What happens in the first weeks
The first jewellery is deliberately longer to leave room for swelling. Swelling peaks in the first three to five days and then settles.
Once it settles, the bar must be shortened — this is called downsizing, and it prevents snagging and irritation bumps. Come back to the studio and we do it for you.
Healing times vary: lobe 6 to 8 weeks, nostril and navel 4 to 6 months, helix and conch 6 to 12 months, tongue 4 to 6 weeks.
When to message us
Increasing pain after the first week, spreading redness, heat, thick yellow-green discharge or fever means you should contact us and see a doctor.
Do not remove the jewellery on your own if you suspect an infection — the channel can close and trap it. Message us first on WhatsApp.
Piercing aftercare FAQ
How often should I clean a new piercing?
Twice a day with sterile saline. More than that dries the tissue and slows healing.
When can I change the jewellery?
Not before the piercing is healed. The first change is downsizing the bar after the swelling settles — we do this for you, usually in week 4 to 8.
Why is there crusting around my piercing?
Dried lymph is part of healing. Soften it with saline and let it come away; never pick it off or rotate the jewellery.
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