Congratulations on your new piercing. Now it’s up to you to take the appropriate care of your piercing.

Suggested aftercare guidelines for body piercings:

Cleaning Solutions: Packaged sterile saline (with no additives, read the label) is a gentle choice for piercing aftercare, it promotes balance so that the piercing area heals faster. If sterile saline is not available in your area a sea salt solution mixture can be a viable alternative. Dissolve 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon (.75 to 1.42 grams) of non-iodized (iodine free) fine grain sea salt into one cup (80z / 250m!) of warm distilled or bottled water. A stronger mixture is not better, a salt solution that is too strong can irritate the piercing.

Cleaning instructions For Body Piercings:

• Wash your hands thoroughly prior to cleaning or touching your piercing for any reason
• Saline rinse as needed while healing. For certain piercings it may be easier to use a saline saturated clean piece of gauze
• Rinse the piercing site as needed to remove the saline solution residue. Moving or rotating the jewelry is not necessary during cleaning or rinsing
• Dry the piercing area by gently patting with clean disposable paper products. Cloth towels can harbor bacteria and snag on jewelry pieces causing injury

What is normal:

• Initially some bleeding, localized swelling, tenderness and or bruising may occur
• During the healing process some discoloration and itching may occur. A secretion of a whitish-yellow fluid (not pus) may form a crust on the jewelry piece. The tissue around the jewelry piece may tighten as it heals
• Once the piercing area has healed, the jewelry piece may not move freely in the piercing, do not force it to move.
• If you fail to include cleaning your piercing area as part of your regular daily hygiene routine you may notice the accumulation normal odiferous body secretions
• A piercing area may seem healed before the healing process is complete. This is because tissue heals from the outside in and although it appears and feels fine, the interior remains fragile. Be patient and keep cleaning the piercing area throughout the entire healing period
• Healed piercings that you have had for years can shrink or close in minutes, though this may vary from individual to individual. If you like your piercing keep the jewelry piece in and do not leave the hole empty

What to do:

• Wash your hands prior to touching the piercing area for cleaning. Refrain from touching or rotating the jewelry piece during the healing process
• You may exercise during the healing process, but listen to your body and do not overdue any exercising
• Wear clean, comfortable and breathable clothing that protects your piercing while you are in the healing process
• Showers are recommended rather than taking baths
• The healthier your lifestyle the easier it is for your piercing to heal
• Proper rest and sleep is recommended for the healing process
• It is recommended to eat a balanced and nutritious diet to aid the healing process

What to avoid:

• Avoid cleaning the piercing area with alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, soaps containing triclosan, iodine or any harsh products that may damage tissues
• Avoid ointments, these have a tendency to prevent the proper air circulation needed for healing
• Avoid any products containing Benzalkonium Chloride (BZK). These can be irritating and are not considered for long-term wound care
• Avoid contact with other people’s bodily fluids on or near your piercing area during the healing process
• Avoid all beauty and personal care products on or around the piercing area during the healing process
• Avoid wearing tight clothes in the area of the piercing

Hints and tips for particular areas:

Tongues: Rinse your mouth with Listerine (diluted 50 / 50 with water) or sea salt (1/2 tsp per 80z of water) a few times a day for the first four weeks. Gently apply ice to keep swelling and soreness down for the first few days and keep movement to a minimum for the first 5 days.

Eat slowly and focus on chewing, avoid hot and spicy food along with hot drinks that may scald the tongue increasing the swelling. Avoid sexual contact for the first 2 weeks. Gently brush your tongue when you brush your teeth, this will help to remove any dead tissue.

Lips and cheeks: Clean the outside of the lip and or cheek piercing as previously described above in the cleaning instructions and the inside as previously described in the tongue section.

Genital Piercings: Female genital piercings tend to heal quickly. Rinse the outside of the piercing and ciean the jewelry a few times a day with the sterile saline solution. Abstain from sex for the first 2 weeks. It is normal for the inner labia and clit hood piercings to bleed a little during the first couple of days during the healing process. If bleeding continues after the 3° day contact your piercer for advice.

Male genital piercings should follow the previously described cleaning instructions from above. Abstain from sex for the first 4 weeks. Expect bleeding for at least 2-3 days for piercings through the head or urethra. If the bleeding continues longer than 3 days contact your piercer for advice.

Micro-Dermal Anchors: Using a clean Q-tip soaked in the sterile saline solution to wash the area thoroughly. Rinse the area 3-5x daily with the sterile saline solution until the healing process is complete.

Signs of infection: If the appropriate aftercare is not followed infection may occur. The signs and symptoms of an infection would include some of the following:

• Swelling and redness that increases around the piercing
• A severe buming and throbbing sensation in the area of the piercing Overall increased tenderness and or increasingly painful to the touch An unusual discharge (yellow or green in color) with an offensive odor

Disclaimer: These guidelines are based on a combination of professional experience, common sense and clinical experience. This is not to be construed as a substitute for medical advice from a licensed medical doctor. If you suspect an infection seek professional medical attention immediately.

We appreciate your business and confidence in our services and look forward to serving you again for your next piercing or tattoo. if you have any questions pertaining to the aftercare of your piercing, please contact us.

Thank you from the Staff and MGT of Lake In The Hills Tattoo Company