Aftercare – Piercings

1. Basic aftercare – applies to all piercings

Cleaning

Wash your hands with soap and water before touching your piercing. Clean 1–2 times a day with sterile saline solution (NaCl 0.9%) or piercing aftercare spray. Use a clean compress or cotton swab; let it air-dry or pat dry with clean paper. It's a good idea to clean at the end of your shower – running water dissolves any dried discharge.

Avoid

• Rotating, twisting or picking at the jewelry – this delays healing and causes irritation.
• Alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, iodine, strong chlorhexidine and antibacterial soap – these damage the tissue.
• Perfumed products, creams and sunscreen directly on or around the piercing.
• Swimming in the sea, lakes, hot tubs or pools during the healing period.
• Sauna baths.
• Tight or abrasive clothing rubbing against the piercing.
• Changing the jewelry yourself during the healing period.

Other

• Keep the piercing away from pets and children.
• Good sleep, a healthy diet and low stress levels speed up healing.
• Spray all piercings twice a day for at least two weeks.

2. Specific advice – ears

Earlobe

Clean both sides. Keep hair away, especially at night and when wet. Avoid earbuds and in-ear headphones during the healing period. Sleep on a travel pillow/neck pillow so the ear rests in the hole rather than pressing against anything.

Cartilage (helix, tragus, daith, rook, conch, orbital, industrial, etc.)

Cartilage has a poor blood supply and heals more slowly than soft tissue. Pressure and friction are the most common cause of irritation and bump formation – not infection. Sleep on a travel pillow/neck pillow, avoid holding your phone against healing cartilage, and choose headphones without external pressure. Industrial and orbital piercings involve more tissue; handle them gently. Irritation bumps are treated with warm saline compresses and by removing the source of pressure.

3. Specific advice – nose and face

Nostril

Gently clean the inside and outside with spray, and let it air-dry. Keep facial products away from the piercing.

Septum

Heals relatively quickly, but avoid twisting the ring or clicker. Rinse the inside with NaCl spray daily. If you have a cold: clean extra thoroughly.

Eyebrow and Bridge

Surface piercings have some tendency to be rejected by the body. Avoid pressure and trauma. Keep sunglasses and headbands away. Makeup and creams should not come into contact with the piercing.

Cheek

One of the longest-healing piercings – at least a year. The initial jewelry is extra long to accommodate swelling; it may be replaced with shorter jewelry at our studio within 2–4 weeks.

4. Specific advice – oral piercings

Tongue

Rinse with alcohol-free mouthwash or clean water after every meal and drink, as well as after using nicotine pouches. Avoid loose snus (oral tobacco) for the first few days! Eat cold, soft food for the first few days and avoid frequent snacking. Avoid biting on the jewelry, but move it gently up and down so the lower ball doesn't grow into the tongue during the first few days. Swelling is normal for the first few days – the initial jewelry is extra long; have it changed to a shorter piece (downsized) at our studio after 2–3 weeks. Avoid kissing and oral sex for the entire healing period.

Lip, Labret, Monroe, Medusa

Clean the outside with NaCl spray, rinse the inside with mouthwash. Move the jewelry gently back and forth for the first few days to prevent the inner part from growing in. Downsize 2–4 weeks after the piercing. Avoid kissing and oral contact during the healing period.

Tongue web (frenulum)

Heals relatively quickly but is sensitive to friction. Avoid playing with the jewelry. Rinse your mouth after meals.

5. Specific advice – body

Navel

One of the most exposed piercings due to movement, friction and sweat build-up, which increases the risk of infection. Avoid high waistbands, tight jeans and belts. Use a protective plaster during sport. Avoid sunbeds and direct sun on the piercing.

Nipples

Avoid wearing a bra as much as possible. If you must wear one, use cotton pads to protect the nipples inside the bra. Avoid oral contact for the entire healing period. Be careful to dry the area gently after showering or bathing so it doesn't catch on the piercing.

6. Specific advice – surface piercings and dermal anchors

These lack a through-hole and are more prone to rejection by the body. Avoid friction, pulling and pressure at all costs. Choose loose-fitting clothing. Check regularly that the anchor is not migrating – a sign of this is that the jewelry sits shallower. Do not remove the plastic cover/plaster for at least the first 5–7 days. Contact us if you notice any changes.

7. Specific advice – genital piercings

Healing time varies greatly depending on the type of piercing. Thinner tissue (inner labia, VCH, PA) heals faster than thicker tissue (ampallang, apadravya).

• Clean with mild soap and water during your daily shower.
• Some bleeding during the first few days is normal for PA, ampallang and apadravya piercings – contact us if bleeding is heavy or prolonged.
• Avoid penetrative intercourse for the first few weeks. Be gentle and avoid trauma to the piercing.
• Always use protection (condom, dental dam) throughout the entire healing period.
• Avoid oral contact with the piercing during the healing period.
• Rinse gently with clean water after using the toilet.

8. Jewelry changes and downsizing

• Never change jewelry yourself during the healing period – the channel can close quickly.
• Downsizing (to shorter jewelry) is required 2–6 weeks after the piercing once swelling has gone down – an important follow-up visit at our studio.
• Always use implant-grade material: titanium (ASTM F136), surgical steel (ASTM F138), 14–18 karat solid gold, or niobium.
• Even a fully healed piercing can close within minutes if the jewelry is removed. Never take out the jewelry without inserting new jewelry immediately.