PIERCING Care Sheet

ALWAYS make sure you wash your hands with antibacterial soap before touching your piercing.


Your new piercing should be cleaned once or twice a day unless activities require more (exercising, sweating, etc.).


You may notice a dry, crusty build up on your piercing which is common. To remove build up, rinse thoroughly with warm water. DO NOT PICK it off as this can tear new tissue and delay healing.


After rinsing off build up, lather antibacterial soap around piercing. Slide jewelry back and forth a few times when washing to distribute soap through the piercing and then again when rinsing to remove all soap residue. Warm saltwater compresses can be used between washings to help clean and soothe, especially if new piercing is sensitive or sore. DO NOT USE contact solution. It may say "saline" on it, but it is much more than just saline solution. It contains chemicals which should not be introduced into the body. Unless it is hospital grade, pure saline, it is intended for external use only, and should not be used on open wounds.


DO NOT turn jewelry unless washing. Too much turning can irritate and/or cause unnecessary swelling.


DO NOT USE: alcohol, or hydrogen peroxide, which can over dry, nor should you use petroleum jelly based ointments or creams (Neosporin, Vaseline, etc.) which can clog piercing and block air passage which is essential to healing.


Avoid tight clothing (belts, stockings, tight jeans, etc.) as they can rub and pull, irritating the piercing.