Piercing aftercare
Piercing aftercare from Mad Ethel’s in Downtown Raleigh. Find cleaning instructions, jewelry guidance, and what to expect while your piercing heals.
IN THIS GUIDE
Cleaning your piercing
Jewelry and follow-up
Things to avoid
Healing and getting help
Common questions
Care questions?
919-900-8345
Follow your piercer’s instructions
These instructions cover body piercings. Follow the guidance given for your specific placement and jewelry. Oral piercings need additional care instructions from your piercer.
Cleaning your piercing
• Always wash your hands before touching your piercing.
• Clean your piercing with warm water.
• Use sterile saline wound wash as directed by your piercer. Look for 0.9% sodium chloride (9 mg/mL) in water, with no added ingredients.
• Gently pat dry with clean, disposable paper products. Cloth towels can spread bacteria or snag jewelry.
• Wear clean, comfortable, breathable clothing, and wash and change your bedding regularly.
• Leave the piercing alone except for cleaning. It is not necessary to rotate jewelry during healing.
Jewelry and follow-up
Leave your initial jewelry in during healing unless your piercer or medical provider advises otherwise. A piercing can look healed before the inside is ready.
Contact your piercer before changing jewelry, and ask whether your placement needs a follow-up or downsizing appointment. If the jewelry feels too tight, begins to embed, or becomes uncomfortable, get advice promptly.
If you suspect an infection, seek medical care. Ask the clinician whether the jewelry should remain in place.
Things to avoid
• Harsh cleaning products such as alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, antibacterial soaps, iodine, and soaps with dyes or fragrances
• Products meant for cuts and burns such as Neosporin, Bactine, or Benzalkonium Chloride (BZK)
• Beauty products on or around the piercing, including cosmetics, lotions, sprays, dry shampoo, hairspray, and facial oils
• Over-cleaning or vigorous cleaning
• Friction, sleeping directly on the piercing, rough play, and unnecessary touching
• Oral contact and other people’s bodily fluids during healing
• Submerging the piercing in lakes, pools, hot tubs, or the ocean. If water exposure is unavoidable, ask your piercer for advice specific to your placement.
Healing and getting help
What you may notice
Initially, some bleeding, localized swelling, tenderness, or bruising can occur. During healing, you may notice itching, discoloration, and whitish-yellow fluid that forms a crust on the jewelry. This is not the same as pus. Tissue may also tighten around the jewelry.
Piercings heal from the outside in. Even when the outside looks healed, the inside may still be fragile. Be patient and continue your care routine.
When to get medical help
Seek medical care for spreading redness, worsening pain, heat, pus, fever, or chills. Contact your piercer for jewelry fit and routine care questions.
Questions about your piercing?
Call 919-900-8345 for cleaning, jewelry, or follow-up questions. For signs of infection or a severe reaction, seek medical care.
When you call, tell us when you visited, the area treated, the products you’ve used, and what has changed.
Common questions
No. Rotating jewelry is not necessary during healing and can irritate the piercing.
Check with your piercer first. A piercing can look healed while the inside is still fragile.
Avoid direct pressure and friction on the healing piercing. Keep bedding clean.
Downsizing means having your piercer fit a shorter post or barbell when appropriate. It may be needed while the piercing is still healing. Ask your piercer when to return for your placement and jewelry.
Oral piercings need additional care. Follow the instructions your piercer gave you, and contact the shop if you need them again.