For general body piercings:

• Use a pre-packaged, sterile, additive-free saline solution specifically designed for wound care.

• Do not use contact lens solution—it is not the same and can harm your piercing.

For oral piercings:

• Use an alcohol-free, hydrogen peroxide-free mouth rinse after meals and before bed.

• Rinse with bottled or filtered water after eating, drinking, or smoking.

• Clean the external area with sterile saline solution twice daily.

1. General body piercing care:

   1. Wash your hands thoroughly before touching your piercing.

   2. Soak your piercing once or twice daily with saline. Use a saline-soaked paper towel or gauze.

   3. Gently rinse the piercing in the shower as part of your regular hygiene routine.

   4. Dry by gently patting with a clean, disposable paper towel. Avoid cloth towels.

   Oral piercing care:

   • Rinse your mouth with recommended solutions after every meal and before bed.

   • Brush teeth and tongue gently using a new, soft-bristled toothbrush.

   • Clean the external area of lip piercings with sterile saline.

   • Dry external piercings with clean disposable materials.

• Initial symptoms may include minor bleeding, localized swelling, tenderness, or bruising.

• During healing, you may notice discoloration, itching, or secretion of a whitish-yellow fluid (not pus) that may form a crust on the jewelry. The tissue may feel tight around the jewelry.

• Once healed, the jewelry may not move freely — do not force it.

• A piercing may look healed externally before the internal tissue has fully healed. Continue your cleaning routine throughout the entire healing period.

• Even fully healed piercings can close quickly if jewelry is removed.

• For all piercings:

  • Don’t move the jewelry unnecessarily or pick at dried discharge.

  • Avoid cleaning with harsh chemicals like Betadine, alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or soaps with triclosan.

  • Skip ointments and over-the-counter “piercing solutions” containing benzalkonium chloride (BZK).

  • Avoid over-cleaning, excessive motion, friction, oral contact, and contact with others' bodily fluids.

  • Avoid swimming or soaking in lakes, pools, hot tubs, etc. Use waterproof wound bandages if necessary.

  • Don’t apply lotions, cosmetics, or sprays near your piercing.

  • Don’t hang charms or objects from your jewelry during healing.

  For oral piercings specifically:

  • Avoid playing with the jewelry, as it can damage teeth and gums.

  • Avoid excessive talking or oral movement in early healing.

  • Don’t use mouthwash containing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide.

  • Avoid oral sexual activity, kissing, and chewing on pens, fingernails, etc.

  • Avoid using straws or consuming excessive caffeine, alcohol, or aspirin.

  • Limit smoking or vaping as much as possible.

• Let small pieces of ice dissolve in your mouth.

• Take anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen, if safe for you.

• Sleep with your head elevated above your heart.

• Avoid excessive speaking and movement of jewelry.

Once swelling subsides, a shorter post should be used to reduce risk of tooth and gum damage. Visit a professional piercer for this change—do not attempt to do it yourself.

If removal is necessary, speak with your piercer about non-metallic alternatives to keep the piercing open during the procedure. Even healed piercings can close rapidly when jewelry is removed.

If you remove your jewelry, keep cleaning the area until it closes naturally. Most piercings will leave only a small mark. We can help with safe removal if needed.