Piercing Aftercare Instructions

Congratulations on your new piercing! Follow these guidelines to ensure a safe, smooth healing process.

Please note: Your piercer will go over the aftercare for you and your new piercing and it may deviate slightly from the general instructions below.

What to Expect


It’s normal to experience:

  • Swelling, redness, and mild itching

  • Minor bleeding for the first few days

  • Clear, white, or yellowish fluid forming small crusts


Even if it looks healed on the outside, your piercing is still healing inside—stick to recommended timelines before changing jewelry.

Healing Times

  • Lobe: 2–3 months (downsize 4–8 weeks)

  • Cartilage: 6–9 months (up to a year, downsize 6–8 weeks)

  • Body (navel, nipple): 9–12 months (downsize 6–8 weeks)

  • Lip: 4–6 months (downsize 2–4 weeks)

  • Oral (tongue, etc.): 2–4 months (downsize 1–2 weeks)

  • Nose/bridge: 6–9 months (up to a year, downsize 6–8 weeks)

  • Eyebrow: 4–6 months (downsize 4–6 weeks)

  • Septum: 4–6 months (downsize 4–6 weeks)

  • Dermal: 3–6 months (attachments can be changed after healing)

General Aftercare

  • Clean twice daily with saline solution only.

  • Dry with a clean cotton bud—no towels or cloths.

  • Never remove jewelry while cleaning.

  • Avoid touching, twisting, or playing with the piercing.

  • Keep makeup, lotions, and perfumes away from the area.

  • Avoid snagging (be careful with clothing, hair, and sleep positions).

  • No swimming pools, saunas, hot tubs, or tanning beds for 4 weeks.

  • Don’t sleep on new piercings—pressure can cause complications.


Oral Piercing Care

  • Rinse with alcohol-free mouthwash after eating or drinking (except water).

  • Avoid spicy foods, excessive dairy, smoking, vaping, and oral sex for the first few weeks.

  • Stick to soft foods in the early days.

  • Replace your toothbrush with a new one to prevent bacteria.

  • Come back to downsize your jewellery once swelling has gone down—this step is crucial!


Dermal & Surface Piercings

These are “long-term temporary” piercings and may eventually reject.

  • Cover with a plaster for the first 5–7 days, removing twice daily for cleaning.

  • Watch for signs of rejection (jewelry moving toward the skin’s surface).

  • Contact us immediately if you notice changes—early action helps minimize scarring.

Need Help or a Check-Up?

You’re always welcome to drop in for a free check-up—
no such thing as too many questions when it comes to happy, healthy piercings!