Let's be real.

Your new piercing is pretty delicate. Technically it is a wound and therefore should be treated as such. Everyone is different but these are typical rules across the board that I have found to be true.  Below are some rules and tips for caring in your new cut. 

Cleaning Instructions

I ONLY recommend to clean your piercing with a sterile saline wound wash. I suggest a fine mist spray tip. You want to mist it on for just a moment while holding it about an inch away from the piercing. Let it sit for about a minute and then wipe away any 'crusties' that may be sticking to the piercing post. Then try to wipe away any 'crusties' that may be attached to the skin. If they do not fall off, do not agitate them. They are like little scabs; if you tear them off, the wound will not heal. Be sure to only wipe these off with a paper towel or gauze. If you decide to use a q-tip, make sure not to leave behind any fibers.

Clean your piercing:

3-4 times a day for two weeks.

2-3 times a day for at least the next two months.

Other cleaning materials like alcohol or hydrogen peroxide is too harsh and can cause irritation bumps.

You do NOT need to twist, turn, or pull on the jewelry. You may feel the tissue tighten around the jewelry as it heals. This is normal and it will loosen up and settle on its own and as you clean it.

The less you touch the piercing the better.

What to Avoid

-Avoid sleeping on your piercing and other activities that result in pressure & friction on the piercing site.

-No harsh chemicals (ie. rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, and Bactine) on or around the piercing site.

-Avoid all ointments, cosmetics, lotions, etc. that will suffocate, dry-out, or agitate your piercing.

-Do not submerge your piercing: no pools, oceans, baths or other bodies of water until your piercing is healed.

-ANY bodily fluids that are not your own.

-Do NOT pick at any 'crusties' that may be attached to your skin.

-Dirty or unwashed sheets

What is normal?

-Some initial bleeding

-Light, whitish or clear-colored oozing and crusting

-Tissue around the jewelry may tighten as it heals

-Localized swelling, tenderness, and/or bruising for the first week

-Possible discoloration, redness, itching

-If you have any issues, questions, or concerns, don't hesitate to reach out at (423)394-3041 or via Instagram @ReclaimedSinner. For any medical concerns, please consult your primary physician.

Healing Times

Healing times can vary from person to person and from piercing to piercing. The healing times below therefore are only an estimated guess and not a guarantee. Your body will tell you when a piercing is healed, not the calendar. Have me or your piercer check your piercing to see if it’s healed. Changing too early could set you back a couple of months as well as bringing the risk of further complications such as hypertrophic scarring or rejection. The columns below represent which piercing, what gauge I typically preform at (unless I specified otherwise), and when it should be mostly healed. Genital/ Intimate piercing heal times tend to vary from situation to situation and piercing to piercing.

Eyebrow

16G, 14G

2-3 months

Cartilage

(helix, scapha, tragus, conch, rook, daith…)

18G, 16G, or 14G

6-9 months

Anti-eyebrow

16G

4-5 months

Lobes

(18G if minor), 16G, 14G+

2-3 months

Bridge

16G

4-6 months

Nostril

18G

3-6 months

Septum

16G+

2-4 months

Lips

16G, 14G

2-3 months

Frenulum (Smiley or Frownie)

16G

1-2 months

Tongue

14G

2-3 months

Cheeks

14G

4-5 months

Labret

16G+

3-4 months

Nipples

14G

6-9+ months

Navel/ Bellybutton

14G

6-9 months

Female Genital Piercings

14G Typically

Generally 2-4+ months

Male Genital Piercings

12G, 10G, 8G

Generally 2-6 months

GA Dept of Public Health

145 Catoosa Circle
Ringgold, GA 30736
Phone: (706)406-2000