Piercing Aftercare - Elwood's Body Modification

During the piercing process, every precaution has been taken to ensure sterility and cleanliness. How it heals is up to you. The following are some suggestions to help your piercing heal.

CHEMICALS WILL NOT HELP YOU HEAL!
Any product that contains an "active ingredient" is not going to help you heal. In fact it will do the exact opposite and slow down the healing process. Alcohol, iodine, hibitain, bactine, bacitracin, polysporin, Neutrogena, antibacterial soap, peroxide, and any other chemical based cleaner will kill the new cells that are trying to form to heal the piercing, thus holding it as an open wound for a longer period of time.

RECOMMENDED CLEANING INSTRUCTIONS

Wash your hands with anti-bacterial soap!
Rinse the piercing with warm water to break up any crusty material that has formed around the jewellery. Wipe the crusty stuff off with a cotton swab.
Gently soap up the piercing with MILD GLYCERIN SOAP. Do not turn the jewellery! By turning the jewellery, you may slide bacteria into the piercing!
Rinse the area thoroughly to remove all soap from the area.
Rinse the area with STERILE SALINE SOLUTION on a cotton swab and pat dry.
Rinse the area with STERILE SALINE SOLUTION on a cotton swab three more times during the day.
Another method that works well is to take a small amount of saline in a cup and microwave it for a few seconds to get it warm. Then let the piercing soak in the cup of saline for 5 – 10 minutes twice a day. Pat dry.

Navel – avoid belts, waistbands, and inflexible clothing on the area during healing.
Ear – avoid getting hair spray or other hair products into the piercing. Take care while brushing your hair to not snag the piercing. Clean all telephones before answering with a new piercing.

WHAT TO USE
The best product for healing an oral piercing is Listerine. This is a rinse that has been specially formulated for the piercing industry. If Listerine is too strong, then water it down half way. Also ¼ teaspoon sea salt to 1 cup distilled water is a great rinse for oral piercings.

RECOMMENDED CLEANING INSTRUCTIONS

Rinse mouth for 30 – 60 seconds with solution after meals for the entire minimum healing time. Do not use more than 4- 5 times a day, and use over intervals throughout the day.
Rinse mouth briefly (10 – 15 seconds) with mild sea salt and water solution no more that twice a day. Cleaning too often will result in discolouration of the tongue.
Scrub the jewellery with a new, soft toothbrush to keep plaque from forming on the jewellery.
Ice and an anti-inflammatory will help keep the swelling down. Also, sleeping with your head slightly elevated will aid in reducing swelling as well.

It is normal for whitish-yellow fluid to discharge from the piercing area. This discharge is a mixture of blood plasma, lymph, and dead cells. This is what may form a crust on the piercing. This is not pus, but indicates a healing piercing.

WHAT IS NORMAL
Swelling of the area is normal on any new oral piercing. It can be greatly reduced by gently sucking on clean ice. Most swelling will last only 3 – 5 days. Bleeding off and on and some bruising is also normal. You may also experience aching, pinching, tightness, or other unpleasant sensations off and on for a few days.

Avoid spicy, acidic, salty, or hot temperature foods and beverages for a few days. Reducing smoking or quitting during the healing time is recommended. Make sure you continue to eat during the healing time, as this will keep your strength up and help you heal faster. Take your time eating, slow and smaller bites!

DON’T PLAY WITH YOUR PIERCING UNTIL IT IS FULLY HEALED!

AVOID ORAL CONTACT WITH YOUR PIERCING UNTIL IT IS HEALED!

DON’T LISTEN TO YOUR FRIENDS, IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, COME IN OR CALL US, WE ARE PROFESSIONALS AND WANT YOUR PIERCING TO HEAL!