Aftercare Guide

• Individually packaged, non-woven sterile gauze (available to purchase)

• Neilmed Sterile Saline labelled as wound wash (available to purchase)

🧼 Before You Begin

• Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before touching your piercing.

• Dry your hands with a clean, single-use paper towel.

• Avoid handling your piercing outside of your recommended cleaning routine.

💧 Cleaning Instructions

Soften Crust Build-Up:

• If you notice dried discharge ("crusties") around your jewellery, gently apply a saline-soaked sterile gauze pad to the area.

• Let it sit until the build-up softens.

• Do not pick, twist, or force the debris off — it should gently wipe away once softened.

Irrigate the Piercing:

• Use sterile saline to flush the piercing site thoroughly, following the method demonstrated by your piercer.

Dry the Area:

• Pat dry gently using a fresh piece of sterile gauze.
• Be sure to dry around and under the jewellery and in any creases to prevent moisture-related bacteria growth.

🔍 What’s Normal During Healing

• Localised swelling, minor bleeding, redness, bruising, and tenderness (though not everyone experiences all of these)

• Clear, white, or yellowish discharge that may dry and form around the jewellery

• Itching as the piercing heals

• Flaky or dry skin around the area, which typically resolves with full healing

🚫 Do Not:

• Use alternative cleaning products, even if they’re marketed for piercing care

• Use cotton buds, cotton balls, or tissues — they can leave fibres that irritate the piercing

• Touch, twist, pick at, or play with your jewellery or the piercing site

• Remove your jewellery unless you're intentionally closing the piercing

• Skip your downsize — downsizing helps prevent excessive movement and trauma once swelling subsides. Check your scheduled downsize date and book your appointment accordingly.

• Apply direct pressure to the piercing (e.g., sleeping on it, wearing tight clothing over it)

• Seek healing advice from friends, family, or the internet — misinformation is everywhere. If you have concerns, book a professional clean or check-up through our website.

• Submerge the piercing in unsterile water (e.g., baths, pools, spas) for the first 4 weeks

Ear Piercings 

💧 Cleaning Instructions (x2 Daily)

• Spray each side of the jewellery with sterile saline twice daily.

• Gently pat dry with sterile gauze — avoid rubbing or wiping.

🚫 What Not to Do

• Do not touch or twist your jewellery at any time.

• Do not sleep on your piercing. Use a doughnut pillow or a travel pillow to avoid pressure.

💡 Helpful Tips

• Keep hair tied back and away from the piercing to reduce irritation and contamination.

• Clean the “nooks and crannies” of your ears and make sure they’re dry, especially after showers.

• Avoid wearing makeup near the area, particularly powders. If makeup reaches the ear, clean gently with saline.

• Do not change to a ring until your piercing is fully healed — doing so too early can lead to shifting, irritation, or infection.

⏳ Healing Reminder

Cartilage piercings require patience — they heal more slowly than lobe piercings and can easily be disturbed.

Improper jewellery size or pressure can cause cartilage to set crooked, which is difficult to correct once healed.
It’s essential to return to studio for your downsize once initial swelling has subsided.

Nostril & Septum Piercings

💧 Cleaning Instructions (x2 Daily)

• Fill a clean, shallow dish with warm sterile saline.

• Gently lower your nose into the dish and blow bubbles through your nostrils — this helps saline reach inside the piercing.

• Spray the outside of the piercing with saline (n/a for septums)

• Gently pat dry with sterile gauze or paper towel.

Alternative method:

• Soak a piece of sterile gauze in saline.

• Hold over the inside of your nostril where the wound is located.

• Rinse the outside of the piercing with saline (n/a for septums)

🚫 What to Avoid

• Do not twist, turn, or play with your jewellery.

• Do not change to a ring until the piercing is fully healed (6–8 months for nostrils).

• Avoid applying makeup or skincare directly near the piercing. If product contacts the area, rinse with saline.

• Be very gentle when blowing your nose.

• Use paper towel to dry your face while healing, as fabric towels can snag or harbour bacteria.

Oral Piercings

👄 Healing & Hygiene

The mouth heals quickly but contains a lot of bacteria. Good oral hygiene is essential for a successful healing process.

Oral tissue tends to swell significantly, which is why we use extra-long bars initially. These must be downsized once swelling subsides to prevent:

• Gum recession

• Tooth damage

• Speech issues

A snug, properly fitted bar reduces these risks — and keeps your dentist happy.

🧼 Cleaning Routine (x2-3 daily)

Use alcohol-free mouthwash or sterile saline:

• When you wake up

• After eating

• Before bed

Do not rinse more than 5 times per day, as this can cause irritation.

For external oral piercings (e.g., lip, labret):

• Clean the exterior skin twice daily with sterile saline.

• Pat dry with sterile gauze.

🚫 Things to Avoid

• ❌ Smoking (cigarettes, vapes, cannabis) for at least 2 weeks

• ❌ Consuming dairy for the first 2 days

• ❌ Drinking alcohol (especially beer) for 2 weeks

• ❌ Playing with your jewellery — avoid pushing, pulling, or biting it

• ❌ Oral sex during healing — your piercing is an open wound

🧊 Helpful Tips

• Sip icy drinks or hold ice chips in your mouth to reduce swelling (do not chew or suck on ice).

• Stick to soft, non-spicy, salty an acidic foods during early healing.

• Chew slowly and carefully to avoid accidentally damaging the piercing.

Nipple + Navel Piercings

📌 Anatomy & Healing Considerations

The success of these piercings depends heavily on your anatomy and how well the piercing suits your body.
We assess suitability carefully — and sometimes must decline these piercings if the anatomy isn’t right.

Even with ideal anatomy, torso piercings can be difficult to heal and may show signs of irritation or rejection.

⚠️ Watch For:

• Purple or inflamed skin

• Excessively dry or peeling skin around the piercing

If you notice any of these, book a professional clean and assessment to check your piercing's health.

💧 Cleaning Routine (x2 Daily)

• Spray each side of the piercing with sterile saline.

• Pat dry thoroughly with sterile gauze.

• For navel piercings, make sure the inside of the navel is clean and completely dry.

• Gently slide sterile gauze under the jewellery to absorb trapped moisture under beads or balls.

💤 Sleeping & Clothing Tips

• Wear a clean, fitted (not tight) singlet or soft cotton top to bed to prevent snagging.

• Avoid lace, mesh, or loose fabrics that could catch on jewellery.

• Never use a loofah or exfoliating sponge near your piercing — these can introduce bacteria or cause trauma.

🚫 What to Avoid

• Do not touch, twist, or move your jewellery unnecessarily.

• Avoid tight clothing, belts, or waistbands that rub the area.

• Avoid letting soap, body wash, or face wash run over the piercing. If it does, rinse thoroughly with saline.

• No loofahs, scrubs, or rough fabrics near the piercing while healing.