Flesh Piercing Aftercare Information

Initial healing time 4 - 6 weeks

Bleeding, bruising, discolouration & swelling is common for any break in the skin for example a new piercing. These are not indications of any complications. Reducing intake of aspirin, alcohol & cafferine because they can thin your blood and this makes it harder to clot (if it starts to bleed again). Also tenderness/discomfort can be present in the area of a new piercing.

During the later healing stages you will notice some itching which indicates the healing stage is almost complete. Secrection of fluid which contains blood plasma, lymph & cells is perfectly normal. It is fairly liquid, white/yellow in colour and forms as a crust on the jewellery on the entry & exit points of the new piercing. This "crust" should only be removed when the piercing site is moist and with clean hands or cotton tips/tissue. Once healed your piercing may secrete a mild semi-solid white malodorus substance from the oil glands called sebum. This is not pus, but indicated a healed piercing. This is mostly present in stretched piercings like lobes. If you clean 1-2 times a day you should not get this secretion.

Some piercings may have a series of ups & downs during healing by seeming healed then regressing. Try to be patient, and keep cleaning during the entire initail healing time, even if the piercing seems healed sooner. Tightness is normal. Do not expect the jewellery to swing freely in most body piercing, even after they are fully healed.

Don't use alcohol or alcohol swaps, hydrogen peroxide, bedadine or any ear care spray to heal a piercing. They are overly strong and drying which can hinder healing. Don't apply any ointments or creams on your piercing. They prevent oxygen from reaching the wound and form a sticky residue which can cause complications. They are not designed for use on piercing. Don't over clean. Cleaning more than twice a day is not better. This can delay your healing and irritate your piercing. Don't use too many different products. Select one and use only one cleaning solution. If you are having problems, use one solution following the instructions and stick at it for two weeks. If it's not working, try another solution.

Avoid oral contact, rough play and contact with other people's bodily fluids on or near your piercing during healing. Do not use band aids on a healing piercing. They limit air circulation and the adhesive can irritate the surrounding area. Don't hang charms or any objects from your piercing until the piercing is fully healed.

Avoid submerging your piercing in water such as pools, spas, jacuzzies etc. Most bodies of water harbour large amounts of bacteria. If there is sea life, motor oil or children in the water, it's not clean enough! If it is unavoidable you can use a water proof sterile dressing. Make sure it is large enough to cover the entire piercing. Cleaning afterwards is not likely to be effective in preventing infection.

Exercise during healing is fine, just "listen" to your body. Try to avoid activities that put undue stress on the area. Your own sweat and body fluids are not harmful to your piercing, provided you clean daily as directed!