Preparation
Before The Piercing Procedure
Metal allergies / skin conditions / medications: Inform the piercer if you have nickel allergy, keloid tendency, diabetes, low immunity, or if you are taking anticoagulants or isotretinoin (acne medication).
Alcohol / caffeine / exercise: Avoid alcohol, painkillers, and heavy exercise on the day of piercing (these increase blood flow and swelling).
Cleansing: Shower and cleanse the piercing area beforehand. Avoid makeup, sunscreen, and hair products.
Clothing: Wear loose, clean clothing. Avoid tight collars, hoodies with strings, or hats that touch the piercing area. Prepare a clean cotton pillowcase for sleeping.
During
During The Procedure
Sterilization & tools: Ensure the tools are in sealed sterile packages (indicator color changed). Needles must be single-use, and gloves must be changed between steps.
Jewelry material & length: The first jewelry should have enough length to accommodate swelling. Too short = risk of embedding or infection.
Do not twist: Never rotate or move the jewelry; this reopens micro-wounds and delays healing.
Aftercare
Immediately After (First 72 Hours)
Hands off: Do not touch the jewelry with unwashed hands.
Bleeding / discharge: Small bleeding or clear-yellow crusting is normal.
Cold compress: Wrap ice in a clean cloth, apply up to 10 min, 1–3 times/day for soft tissue (ear, lip, etc.).
Sleeping: Sleep on the opposite side. Use a donut or travel pillow if needed.
Daily Care (Until Healed)
Cleaning: 1–2 times/day with saline solution (0.9%). Gently soften and remove crusts —
never scrub.
DIY saline: 250 ml boiled water + ¼ tsp (≈ 2.25 g) non-iodized salt. Cool completely,
use within 24 h.
Shower OK / no swimming or sauna: Swimming pools, sea, hot baths, and saunas should be avoided for at least 4–6 weeks.
Cosmetics & hair products: Keep makeup, sprays, and dyes away from the piercing area.
Headphones / helmets / masks: Avoid friction.
Oral piercings: Avoid hot, spicy, or acidic foods for the first week. Use alcohol-free mouthwash. No smoking.
Don’t twist or pull: Don’t rotate or remove jewelry. You may gently check the screw tightness with clean hands every few days.
Never Use!
Hydrogen peroxide, alcohol, tea tree oil, iodine, ointments, Vaseline, scrubs.
Avoid tight clothing, headset pressure, or cheap plated jewelry.
Warning Signs — See Your Piercer Or Doctor
Severe redness, swelling, throbbing pain after 3–4 days, yellow/green pus, spreading red lines, fever/chills, embedding, trouble swallowing or breathing (oral), cartilage pain → seek medical attention immediately.
Healing Time & Jewelry Change Timeline
| Area | Average healing | Downsizing | First design change | Swimming/Sauna |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Earlobe | 6–8 weeks | 2–4 weeks | 6–8 weeks | After 4 weeks |
| Helix | 6–12 months | 6–10 weeks | 3–6 months | 6–8 weeks |
| Forward helix / snug / rook / anti-tragus | 6–12 months | 6–12 weeks | 4–6 months | 6–8 weeks |
| Tragus | 4–8 months | 6–10 weeks | 3–6 months | 6–8 weeks |
| Daith | 6–12 months | 6–10 weeks | 4–6 months | 6–8 weeks |
| Conch | 6–12 months | 6–12 weeks | 4–6 months | 6–8 weeks |
| Industrial | 9–12 months+ | 8–12 weeks | 6–9 months | 8 weeks |
| Nostril | 3–6 months | 4–8 weeks | 3–4 months | 6 weeks |
| High nostril | 6–9 months | 6–10 weeks | 4–6 months | 6–8 weeks |
| Septum | 6–8 weeks | 2–4 weeks | 8–12 weeks | 4 weeks |
| Bridge | 3–6 months | 4–8 weeks | 3–4 months | 6 weeks |
| Eyebrow | 2–3 months | 3–4 weeks | 8–10 weeks | 4–6 weeks |
| Tongue | 4–6 weeks | 7–10 days | 4–6 weeks | 3–4 weeks |
| Smiley / frenulum | 4–8 weeks | 2–3 weeks | 6–8 weeks | 4 weeks |
| Lip / labret / medusa | 6–8 weeks | 2–4 weeks | 8–10 weeks | 4–6 weeks |
| Nipple | 6–12 months | 6–10 weeks | 4–6 months | 8 weeks |
| Navel | 6–12 months | 6–10 weeks | 4–6 months | 8 weeks |
| Surface / dermal | 6–12 months | 6–10 weeks | 4–6 months | 8 weeks |
Notes
- Cartilage heals slowly due to limited blood flow. Long-lasting tenderness is normal.
- Tongue heals fastest (swelling peaks early, resolves within 1–2 weeks).
- Times vary with hygiene, lifestyle, and smoking status.
Initial Jewelry Sizing
Gauge: Earlobe, nose, lip → 18–16G (1.0–1.2 mm); cartilage, tongue → 16–14G (1.2–1.6 mm).
Length / inner diameter: Start slightly longer for swelling, shorten during downsizing.
Material: ASTM F136 titanium (lightweight, nickel-free). Only PVD/anodized coating allowed, no gold plating.
Daily Care Details
External: Soften crusts with warm water, remove gently with saline, rinse, and pat dry.
Oral: Rinse after meals, use alcohol-free mouthwash once or twice daily.
Check screws: Tighten lightly every few days with clean hands.
Exercise: Avoid intense sweating or tight clothing for 1–2 weeks.
Downsizing vs. First Style Change
Downsizing: Same material & design, just shorter bar; after 70–90 % of swelling subsides.
First style change: Rings or decorative pieces; only after tissue is fully stable (see table).
Cartilage: Always be more conservative with timing.
Common Issues
Bump (not keloid): Caused by friction or over-cleaning. Reduce cleaning to 1–2 × daily, use silicone disc if needed.
Dryness / irritation: Reduce cleaning frequency; check saline concentration.
Embedding: Jewelry too short → visit studio immediately for longer post.
Allergy: Persistent itching/blisters → switch to pure titanium; avoid plated metals.
Health Considerations
If you have a weak immune system or slow healing, extend healing time 1.5–2× longer than average.
Delay swimming, sauna, and food handling until fully healed.
Fever, fatigue, or increasing pain = see a doctor.
Quick Summary
Initial jewelry: ASTM F136 titanium (PVD/anodized gold OK).
Avoid: Rotation, alcohol/peroxide, ointments, swimming early.
Downsizing: 2–10 weeks; First style change: 6–24 weeks+.
Cartilage heals slowly (up to a year is normal).
Contact
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