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(A recommendation for the successful healing of your new piercing.)

General healing time for all piercings is 4-8 months. Healing varies with each individual’s body and the type of piercing(s) you have received. To help your body heal your new piercing(s), it is important to live a healthy lifestyle. Get enough rest, reduce stress, avoid drug and alcohol use, stay hydrated, eat a nutritious diet, boost your immune system with Vitamin C and Zinc supplements.

WHAT IS NORMAL : Initially some bleeding, localized swelling, tenderness, and/or bruising may occur. You may expect some discoloration, itching, and/or secretion of a whitish-yellow fluid (not pus) that will form “crusties” on the jewelry during healing.

CLEANING SOLUTION AND INSTRUCTIONS FOR BODY PIERCINGS :

Packaged sterile saline solution (with no additives, read the label) is a gentle choice for piercing aftercare. Follow these instructions while your piercing is healing and routinely clean your piercing once daily following the healing period.

• Wash your hands thoroughly prior to cleaning or touching your piercing for any reason.

• Apply sterile saline solution 2-3 times per day by spraying directly onto both sides of the new piercing or by soaking a piece of gauze cloth in solution and holding it against the piercing for a few minutes.

• Gently remove any “crusty” material with the soaked gauze.

• Allow to air dry or pat with a clean, disposable towel (do not rinse off your piercing.)

• Use of cotton swabs is not recommended as the fibers can get caught on the jewelry. If you must use a cotton swab, make sure it is thoroughly soaked before using very gently around the piercing site.
  
  NEVER remove your jewelry to clean it. Piercings heal from the outside in, so be patient and allow your body the time it needs to fully heal the piercing before considering changing or removal of jewelry. Even healed piercings that you’ve had for years may shrink or close in minutes.
  
  WHAT TO AVOID : Do NOT clean your piercings with alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, Dial® or other harsh anti-bacterial soaps, Bactine®, pierced ear care solutions, and other products containing Benzalkonium Chloride (BZK). These solutions may damage healing skin cells and are too harsh for long-term wound care. Do NOT apply ointments to your piercings as they prevent necessary air circulation and attract dust and bacteria.
  
  Leave your piercing alone! Avoid playing with the jewelry, vigorous cleaning, and friction from tight clothing as undue trauma may cause scarring, migration, prolonged healing, and other complications. Exercising during healing may be fine, just listen to your body. Avoid submerging your new piercing(s) in unhygienic bodies of water such as lakes, pools, hot tubs, etc. If you must swim, you may protect your piercing using a waterproof wound-sealant bandage for only short periods of time. Avoid all beauty and personal care products on or around the piercing including cosmetics, lotions, etc.
  
  Please contact your piercer with any questions or concerns during the healing process. If you are experiencing signs of an infection including a fever, drainage that smells or contains pus from the procedure site, or streaks running toward your heart from your piercing, please contact your physician.

What is a “piercing bump” and how can I treat it?

Although unsightly and irritating, piercing bumps are fairly common following a new piercing. Piercing bumps occur when the body's immune system responds to the wound and initiates the healing response. A bump may also form in response to debris that has gotten into the new piercing site (i.e. makeup, lotion, dust, etc.) A reddish bump that appears shortly after a new piercing can often be treated by a warm compress mixture of sea salt, water, and/or tea tree oil.

One may apply this mixture to the affected area by holding a clean and soaked warm compress over the bump for ten minutes twice a day, rinsing thoroughly afterward and repeating for a few days noting any changes to the bump.

Suggested mixtures include: 1) adding 1/4 tsp sea salt to 1 cup of hot distilled water and applying while still warm 2) measure 1 cup of sterile or distilled water, mix 1/4 tsp. sea salt into the water, preferably while it is still hot, add 2-3 drop of tea tree oil and stir well, apply warm 3) add a drop of tea tree oil to a cap full of sterile saline solution

Bumps that form long after the initial healing period may be “keloids” which will not respond to warm compress treatment. If you think you may have a keloid, you may consult your physician about surgical removal options.

Piercing FAQs

Q: I’m under 18. Can I get a piercing if someone signs for me?

A: Yes, if you are at least 16 and follow all requirements of the Minor Piercing Policy (parental consent, documentation, etc.) All clients 18 or older must present valid photo ID at the time of their appointment.

Q: Can I bring someone with me to my appointment?

A: Clients may be accompanied by ONE support guest during their piercing appointment. With everyone’s safety and well-being in mind, it is up to the body piercer’s discretion whether your guest is allowed to enter the piercing procedure area.

Q: How much do piercings cost?

A: Price range for piercings can be found after clicking “book” and selecting an appointment time on the calendar.

Please be aware that all costs associated with your body piercing are subject to NJ sales tax. Same for cash and credit.

Q: Can I change my jewelry to a retainer for sports, work, etc?

A: If you are planning on removing the jewelry from your new body piercing before the recommended healing period, it is highly recommended that you wait to get the piercing until your circumstances allow for proper healing and aftercare. Remember, your piercing heals from the outside first. Even if all looks clear from the surface, removal and insertion of jewelry during the initial healing phase will likely cause swelling, potential bleeding, and prolonged healing time. Not to mention constant touching and changing of your jewelry increases your likelihood for exposure to infection. 

However, if your piercing is fully healed or you absolutely need to remove the initial jewelry before healing (for surgery or something medically related), a retainer may be a good choice. Consult with your piercer to make a decision and they can likely change it out for you safely. 

Q: Can I bring my own jewelry and just pay the piercing cost?

A: The short answer is “no.” The quality, style, length, and material of piercing jewelry is chosen with the client’s body and chances of best healing in mind. Initial piercing jewelry is often longer to allow for swelling.

If you wanted to inquire whether jewelry you already own is appropriate for changing once your piercing is fully healed, feel free to bring it in for inspection by your piercer.

Q: What type of initial body piercing jewelry can I choose?

A: As certain metals and gem settings can cause irritation and rejection, most initial piercing jewelry is very “plain.” All initial piercing jewelry is made of implant grade stainless steel 316L or ASTM F-136 Titanium. All initial piercing jewelry is internally threaded or threadless. Some bezel-set gemstone end options are available for initial piercings.