Aftercare
Piercing Aftercare Instructions
Ear Piercing (Lobe & Cartilage)
✅ Do’s
• Clean 2–3 times daily with sterile saline spray.
• Always wash your hands before touching the jewelry.
• Use clean pillowcases and avoid sleeping on the pierced side.
• Keep hair away from the piercing to reduce irritation.
❌ Don’ts
• Do not twist, rotate, or remove the jewelry.
• Avoid alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or harsh disinfectants.
• Avoid in-ear headphones or pressing the phone against the ear for long calls.
• Do not apply makeup, hair spray, or lotions near the piercing.
⏳ Healing time:
• Earlobe: 6–8 weeks
• Cartilage: 4–6 months
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👃 Nose Piercing
✅ Do’s
• Clean 2–3 times daily with saline spray.
• Pat dry gently with a clean tissue.
• Be careful when sneezing or blowing your nose.
❌ Don’ts
• Do not twist or remove the jewelry.
• Avoid makeup, creams, or lotions around the piercing.
• Stay away from swimming pools, hot tubs, or the sea until fully healed.
⏳ Healing time: 2–3 months
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👁 Eyebrow Piercing
✅ Do’s
• Clean twice daily with saline solution.
• Wash your face gently to avoid pulling on the jewelry.
• Use clean bedding.
❌ Don’ts
• No makeup near the eyebrow piercing.
• Do not scratch, rub, or rotate the jewelry.
• Avoid unnecessary touching.
⏳ Healing time: 6–8 weeks
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👅 Tongue Piercing
✅ Do’s
• Rinse your mouth with diluted saline solution or alcohol-free mouthwash after every meal.
• Eat soft, cool foods; ice chips help reduce swelling.
• Brush teeth gently and keep your toothbrush clean.
• Drink plenty of water.
❌ Don’ts
• 🚫 No dairy products (milk, cheese, yogurt, ice cream, cream, milkshakes, etc.) during healing.
• Avoid smoking, alcohol, carbonated drinks, spicy or hot foods.
• Do not play with the jewelry or push it against your teeth.
• No kissing or oral contact until fully healed.
⏳ Healing time: 4–8 weeks
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👄 Lip Piercing (External & Internal)
✅ Do’s
• Clean the outside twice daily with saline spray.
• Rinse your mouth after meals with saline or alcohol-free mouthwash.
• Eat soft, cold foods and use ice to reduce swelling.
❌ Don’ts
• 🚫 No dairy products (milk, cheese, yogurt, ice cream, milkshakes).
• Avoid smoking, alcohol, acidic drinks, and spicy/hot foods.
• Do not apply makeup around the piercing.
• Do not chew or bite on the jewelry.
⏳ Healing time: 6–8 weeks
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👙 Nipple Piercing
✅ Do’s
• Clean twice daily with saline spray.
• Wear loose, cotton clothing to prevent irritation.
• Rinse gently with warm water in the shower.
❌ Don’ts
• Avoid tight or rough fabrics.
• Do not twist, rotate, or remove jewelry.
• No swimming, hot tubs, or saunas until healed.
• No direct oral or sexual contact until fully healed.
⏳ Healing time: 6–12 months
Piercing Aftercare Instructions
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Navel (Belly Button) Piercing
✅ Do’s
• Clean twice daily with saline spray.
• Wear comfortable, loose clothing.
• Dry with a clean tissue after cleaning or showering.
❌ Don’ts
• Avoid tight clothing or belts pressing on the piercing.
• Do not twist or remove jewelry.
• No swimming, hot tubs, sea, or sauna until healed.
⏳ Healing time: 6–12 months
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⚪️ Dermal Anchor (Microdermal)
✅ Do’s
• Clean twice daily with saline solution.
• Keep the area dry and protected.
• Be mindful when dressing or sleeping to avoid pressure.
❌ Don’ts
• Do not twist or move the jewelry.
• Avoid tight clothing over the area.
• No swimming, saunas, or hot tubs until healed.
• Do not scratch or press on the anchor.
⏳ Healing time: 3–4 months
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Surface Piercing
✅ Do’s
• Clean twice daily with sterile saline spray.
• Wear loose cotton clothing to avoid irritation.
• Sleep in a position that avoids pressure on the piercing.
• Cold compresses may help reduce swelling.
❌ Don’ts
• Do not rotate or move the jewelry.
• Avoid tight clothes, belts, or straps pressing on the area.
• No makeup, creams, or lotions near the piercing.
• Avoid swimming and saunas until fully healed.
⏳ Healing time: 3–6 months (sometimes longer)
♂️ Male Genital Piercings
(Prince Albert, Frenum, Ampallang, Apadravya, etc.)
✅ Do’s
• Wash hands thoroughly before touching the piercing.
• Clean 2–3 times daily with sterile saline solution.
• Wear loose, breathable cotton underwear to avoid friction.
• Always clean the piercing before and after any sexual activity.
• Use condoms during sex to reduce risk of infection.
• Urinate after cleaning to flush the urethra naturally (especially with PA piercing).
❌ Don’ts
• Do not have unprotected sex until fully healed.
• Avoid swimming pools, hot tubs, saunas, and the sea until healing is complete.
• No harsh soaps, scented washes, or creams on the area.
• Avoid masturbation or sexual activity during the first weeks, or keep it extremely gentle to avoid trauma.
⏳ Healing time:
• Frenum: 2–3 months
• Prince Albert (PA): 2–4 months
• Apadravya / Ampallang: 4–6 months (sometimes longer)
Piercing Aftercare Instructions
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Female Genital Piercings
(Clitoral Hood, Labia, Triangle, Christina, etc.)
✅ Do’s
• Wash hands well before touching the jewelry.
• Clean 2–3 times daily with saline spray or sterile saline solution.
• Wear breathable cotton underwear and avoid tight clothing.
• Always clean before and after sexual activity.
• Use condoms or dental dams to prevent infection during healing.
• Urinating after cleaning can help flush the area gently.
❌ Don’ts
• Do not use scented soaps, bubble baths, or perfumed products near the piercing.
• Avoid swimming pools, saunas, hot tubs, and the sea until healed.
• No unprotected sexual activity until fully healed.
• Do not twist, rotate, or remove the jewelry early.
• Avoid shaving/waxing too close to the fresh piercing.
⏳ Healing time:
• Vertical/Horizontal Clitoral Hood (VCH/HCH): 4–8 weeks
• Labia: 6–8 weeks
• Christina (pubic): 3–6 months
• Triangle: 3–4 months
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⚠️ Important Notes
• Healing times are average estimates — every body is different.
• Always listen to your body: swelling, redness, or discomfort can be normal, but if you notice severe pain, unusual discharge, or persistent redness, consult your piercer or a healthcare professional.
• Patience and consistent aftercare are the key to successful healing.
• These areas have high blood flow, so initial swelling and sensitivity are normal.
• Healing may be faster compared to some surface piercings, but requires strict hygiene.
• Avoid any unprotected oral or penetrative sex until the piercing is fully healed.
• If you notice unusual discharge, extreme swelling, persistent pain, or fever, contact your piercer or a medical professional immediately
Tattoo Aftercare Guide
This guide provides complete and detailed aftercare instructions for tattoos. It is general information and not a substitute for advice given by your tattoo artist or medical professional. If your artist gives you different instructions, always follow their advice first.
Piercing Aftercare Instructions
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Quick Summary (TL;DR)
• Wash hands and tattoo gently with lukewarm water and mild fragrance-free soap 1–2 times daily. Pat dry—do not rub.
• Moisturize lightly with a fragrance-free, water-based lotion. Avoid heavy petroleum-based ointments for long-term use.
• No swimming, soaking, hot tubs, or saunas until fully healed. Quick showers only.
• No direct sunlight until healed. After healing, always use broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen on your tattoo.
• Warning signs: spreading redness, increasing pain, warmth, pus, foul smell, fever. If severe, contact your GP, call NHS 111, or go to A&E.
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Aftercare Methods
1) Second Skin (Film Method)
• Keep the initial film for about 24 hours. If it fills with plasma/ink, replace earlier.
• Remove under lukewarm water by peeling slowly, low-angle, parallel to the skin.
• Wash gently, dry, and apply a new film piece. Keep it on for 5–6 days (total around 7 days).
• If fluid builds up, replace with another film.
• After removing the final piece, switch to the standard wash + moisturize routine.
2) Classic Method (Without Film)
• Keep the bandage/wrap for 2–4 hours.
• Wash gently with lukewarm water and mild soap, pat dry.
• From this point: wash once or twice daily + apply a thin layer of fragrance-free, water-based lotion.
Healing Timeline
Day 0
• Keep bandage for 2–4 hours. Avoid touching, friction, or sweating.
Days 1–3
• Wash 1–2 times daily with lukewarm water and mild soap. Pat dry.
• Apply a thin layer of lotion.
• Avoid standing directly under the shower spray.
Days 4–7
• Peeling, scabbing, and itching are normal. Do not pick or scratch.
• Continue wash + light moisturization.
Weeks 2–4
• Outer skin usually healed, but deeper layers still repairing.
• Continue moisturizing and protect from sun.
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Do’s and Don’ts
Washing & Showering
✅ Quick showers only
✅ Pat dry with clean paper towel/tissue
❌ No baths, swimming, saunas, or hot tubs
❌ No alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or harsh soaps
Moisturizing
✅ Use fragrance-free, water-based lotion (2–3 times per day)
❌ Avoid long-term use of heavy petroleum-based ointments (can fade ink)
Sun & Heat
✅ After healing, apply SPF 30+ broad-spectrum sunscreen
❌ No direct sun until fully healed
Clothing & Sleep
✅ Wear clean, loose, breathable cotton clothes
✅ Use clean bedsheets and pillowcases
❌ Avoid tight or abrasive clothing rubbing on the tattoo
Gym & Sweat
❌ Avoid heavy workouts for the first 48–72 hours
❌ For large/color-packed tattoos or tattoos on joints, wait longer (7–14 days)
Skincare & Cosmetics
❌ No shaving, waxing, exfoliating, or retinol/acids until fully healed
❌ No makeup over fresh tattoos (face/neck areas)
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What’s Normal vs. Warning Signs
Normal:
• Mild redness/swelling
• Clear fluid or light ink seepage
• Itching and flaking/peeling skin
Warning – Contact a doctor if you notice:
• Redness spreading outward
• Increasing pain or swelling
• Warm skin with pus or foul smell
• Fever, chills, feeling unwell
If severe symptoms occur (difficulty breathing, confusion, rash that doesn’t fade under pressure), call 999 or go to A&E immediately.
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Long-Term Care
• Even after surface healing (2–3 weeks), deeper healing continues for several months.
• Keep the tattoo moisturized and protect it from sun exposure.
• Always apply broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen to preserve color vibrancy.
Piercing Aftercare Instructions
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FAQ
Can I shower on the first day?
Yes—take a short shower, but avoid direct spray on the tattoo. No baths.
When can I work out again?
Light activity after 2–3 days; heavy workouts or stretching tattoos on joints may need 1–2 weeks.
When can I swim?
Only after full healing (usually 2–4 weeks or longer).
Can I use sunscreen right away?
No.
Wait until healing is complete, then use SPF 30+ every time.
Can I peel or scratch the scabs?
Never. Picking can cause color loss and scarring.
Who Should Take Extra Care?
• People with diabetes
• People with immune system conditions
• Those prone to keloids or scarring
• Anyone with skin allergies
Always consult your GP if you fall into these categories.