After 2 - 4 weeks, your piercing won't feel as sensitive as it did in the first few days, and the initial swelling will have almost, or completely subsided. However, this does not mean that your piercing is healed. Piercings heal from the inside out, which means they will look better on the surface, but the piercing channel will still be healing. It is completely normal to see some redness, fluids and scabbing from the piercing, and the surrounding area.

Avoid the use of any harsh chemicals, your piercing is a sensitive, open wound.

Applying a harsh chemical can be dangerous and can become problematic not only for your piercing, but for the welfare of the area around it. Harsh chemicals include; TCP, tea tree (& other essential oils), surgical spirits, Dettol, peroxide, & isopropyl alcohol.

Ointments and creams will act as a barrier to stop any air getting to the wound, preventing scabbing, which is an essential part of the healing process.

Embedding of jewellery

It is completely normal for a fresh, or irritated piercing to swell. While dutiful care is taken to measure jewellery that will leave enough space for this swelling, there is always a risk that embedding may occour. Jewellery may partially 'sink' or make it's way completely under the skin. The remedy for this is to have the current piece removed, and a longer / larger diameter piece fitted.

Migration of jewellery

Migration can occour if the jewellery being worn in a piercing is snagged, and trauma is caused to the piercing channel, or skin surrouding the piercing site. If the jewellery being worn is too thin, or an inappropriate length / diameter, excessive movement is more likely, which will weaken the skin forming a piercing channel.

Aggitating a piercing before it is completely healed, for example, turning or twisting the jewellery while cleaning a fresh piercing, will also cause damage to the piercing channel which can result in 'rejection' or irreversable migration.

Localised infection

If aftercare guidance is not followed correctly, you will put yourself at risk of an infection. If you suffer from any of the following symptoms, contact your piercer immediately, and follow their guidance on further treatment.

• Swelling or redness that increases or lasts more than a week after piercing.

• Skin surrounding the piercing site becoming 'hard' to the touch, and is 'burning' or throbbing.

• An unusual, persistent discharge with an offensive smell.

It is recommended to clean your piercing at least once a day. Most of the work is done if you have good personal hygiene, but it's good to make sure the piercing and surrounding area are kept safe from harmful debris for the first 2 - 4 weeks.

1. Make sure your hands are clean and thoroughly dried. Any tools being used should be single use, and disposed of straight after.

2. Open one of the pre-soaked saline wipes provided in your aftercare pack and use the edges of the wipe to clean underneath and around the piercing site. Be mindful not to move the jewellery during this process. It is important to avoid cotton balls/pads, tissues and toilet paper as these can leave a fiber residue which can get stuck to jewellery and irritate a piercing. We have provided sterile cotton swabs in your aftercare pack, which will not leave a fibre residue.

3. Take a clean, dry piece of gauze, or a cotton swab and gently pat the piercing and surrounding area until it is dry, you can also use the cool setting of a hairdryer to dry the area around your piercing after bathing. Again, be mindful not to move the jewellery, or 'pick' any dry blood, skin, or scabbing. It will come off when it's ready.

Until your piercing is healed, you should avoid:

• High contact sports where the piercing is at risk of being caught or knocked.

• Swimming pools, hot tubs, and open bodies of water (such as natural springs, or the sea) 

• Applying make-up, creams or skin treatments (such as hair removal) around the area of your piercing. You can still wear make up, or apply moisturizer, just don't place it directly on to the piercing.

• Removing the jewellery for any reason. If you are advised to remove your jewellery for a medical procedure, or by an employer, contact your piercer for assistance.

Additional tips to consider;

• Do you work in an area where PPE (personal protective equipment) might put pressure on a new piercing?

• Are you going to regularly spend time in an area that would be considered inappropriate to comply with the healing process. Examples of this include, but are not limited to; working as a lifeguard, electrician, firefighter, or partake in high contact sports. 

• Does a piercing abide by regulations for your school, work and home environments? 

Leave it alone!

• Don't touch, twist or play with the jewellery in your piercing. Excessive movement can disrupt the healing process by inadvertently removing scabs which are vital to protect the skin healing underneath them.

This can cause swelling, which can lead to knock on effects such as the jewellery becoming embedded.

We can easily pick up bacteria from everyday personal items we use, such as glasses, phones, earphones. Be sure to wipe them down with an anti-bacterial or alcohol pad before use.

Shared items such as stationary, cutlery, drinks, cigarettes, and vapesalso pose a risk for transmitting bacteria, so be sure that these items are cleaned before use, or not shared.

It can take up to 1 year for any piercing to be considered fully healed.

This can take longer for some people as they could run into issues during the healing process, or they may have a compromised immune system which can intervene with a ‘typical’ healing process.
Specific aftercare tailored to your new piercing will be given to you before you leave the studio.

Illness and stress can put extra strain on your body, which won't give it the time to focus on healing a new modification if it's already overwhelmed dealing with other issues.

If you are immunosuppressed, this can lead to longer healing times and adverse reactions. Please inform your piercer if you suffer from any conditions that fall under this category so they can offer advice on alternative aftercare.

At least once every few weeks, be sure to check that all of your jewellery is still secure to avoid any losses.

When you are doing this, ideally make sure you are seated in an area where there are no risks that your jewellery could fall anywhere it can't be easily retrieved.

Lay a towel down on your lap, or on the floor below you to act as a safety net should anything fall. If you are standing over a sink, fill it with water to ensure a safe landing, and to avoid anything getting lost down the sinkhole.

On the aftercare sheet you are given when you leave the studio, you’ll find information on the type of jewellery you have been pierced with.

Do not use any harsh / abrasive chemicals or substances on your jewllery as it could cause damage to the material & surface.

We recommend clients return to the studio for a check-up a few weeks after getting pierced. During this check-up appointment we may downsize the post or ring that was originally fitted to a shorter length or smaller diameter.

Larger pieces of jewellery are used for initial piercing to accomodate with swelling, and once this has subsided, it's essential to install a smaller piece to minimize the risk of jewellery being snagged, excessively moving, or, in cases of oral piercings, causing dental damage.

This should only be done by a piercer, do not change your jewellery at home until the piercing is fully healed.

You can find more information on migration on the back of this leaflet. on