Piercing Aftercare

Lees dit goed door nadat je een tattoo hebt laten zetten.

Aftercare instructions

The healing time of a piercing varies depending on the type of piercing and can also differ from person to person. Factors such as your overall health and physical condition play an important role in this process. Good personal hygiene is essential during the healing period.

Full healing of a piercing can take longer than a year and does not always occur evenly. This means you may experience recurring irritation bumps, swelling, or sensitivity during the healing process.

Immediately after getting a piercing, the area may become red and swell significantly. If a ring that is too small or a bar that is too short is used, the risk of infections and complications increases. That’s why a longer bar or a larger ring is usually chosen initially. During the healing process, the jewelry needs enough room and should not be too tight or too loose. If you feel there isn’t enough space due to swelling, feel free to come by. We can temporarily replace the jewelry with a larger size.

After approximately 8 to 12 weeks, it is often possible to replace the jewelry with a smaller piece. This is recommended when at least 2 mm of the bar is visible. Make sure to come in on time for a downsizing, as this helps prevent the piercing from healing at an angle or growing out.

A piercing should be considered a wound and treated as such.

For proper and smooth healing, it is important to follow these guidelines:

Avoid touching your piercing as much as possible with your hands.
Clean the skin around the piercing twice a day with a mild, fragrance-free soap for at least two weeks. If symptoms such as irritation, redness, or sensitivity persist, switch to a saline solution (saline spray).
After cleaning, gently pat the area dry with a clean towel or tissue and keep the piercing as dry as possible.
A small bruise may appear around the piercing; this will disappear on its own.
Avoid sleeping on the piercing, as this can lead to irritation, fluid bumps, or uneven healing.
Contact us if you experience fluid bumps, irritation, if the jewelry feels too tight, or if you have any questions.
In case of severe symptoms such as extreme redness, swelling, bleeding, pus, discoloration, rejection, or intense pain, always contact a doctor.
Do not use ointments, Vaseline, or other products on the wound.
Do not apply disinfectants such as Sterilon or Betadine.
Do not use bandages, except possibly for short periods during sports.
For body piercings (such as nipple or navel piercings), avoid wearing tight or dirty clothing.
Avoid contact with water such as swimming pools, hot tubs, or natural water, and do not use saunas during the healing process.
Do not remove the jewelry yourself in case of irritation; instead, contact the studio or a doctor for hygiene and safety reasons.

Specific aftercare for oral piercings:

Piercings in the mouth, such as tongue or lip piercings, require extra care after eating, drinking, smoking, and other oral contact. Brush your teeth regularly and keep your mouth clean, for example by using a toothpaste based on a saline solution.

If necessary, rinse with a mouthwash containing chlorhexidine. Avoid kissing and other oral contact during the healing period.

Irritation bumps

Irritation bumps and flare-ups are common during the healing process. These are fluid-filled bumps that can develop around the piercing. Especially with cartilage piercings, healing can take up to a year, during which these bumps may appear and disappear again.

Possible causes include:

Sleeping on the piercing
Stress
Traveling
Use of hair or body products
A weakened immune system
Sensitivity to jewelry
Inconsistent aftercare

How can you reduce irritation bumps on a piercing?

Visit your piercer; sometimes the jewelry bar may need to be adjusted. Use a saline solution spray and follow your piercer’s advice on how often and how long to use it. In addition, make sure not to sleep on the piercing.