SUGGESTED AFTERCARE GUIDELINES TO LOOK AFTER YOUR

N E W P I E R C I N G

CongratulationsonyournewpiercingandthankyouforchoosingourStudio.Getting a new piercing involves breaking the skin and the aftercare of it isextremely important to promote good healing and prevent the risk of infection.Your piercing should be treated as a wound initially and it is important to followthe advice to minimalise the risk of infection and we’re here for you every stepof the way.

Your_______________piercingisexpectedtotakeatleast___________

orlongertoheal.Earliestchangedate:___________________________

Jewellery used:______________________________________________

Piercer:____________________________________________________

OURCOMMITMENTTOYOU

At In Skin Tattoo & Piercing we are here to ensure you have full aftercare support. If youhave any concerns or questions about your piercing you can contact us in person, phoneor email during our opening hours as well as on Facebook messenger out of hours.

These guidelines are based on a combination of vast professional experience, commonsense, research and clinical practice obtained from the Association of ProfessionalPiercers (APP) and the local Environmental Health Department. This is not to besubstituted for medical advice. Every piercing is a wound to the body and needs to belooked after that way. We always use sterile, single use needles, autoclaved equipmentand sterile jewellery. There is always a risk of infection from external bacteria. If yoususpect an infection contact us immediately and seek medical attention from a doctor.Be aware that doctors are not piercing professionals and want to treat the wound andnot the piercing. We work alongside the local authority and medical advice as well as vastexperience to ensure the beauty and success of your piercing.

Sources:AssociationofProfessionalPiercers(APP)https://www.safepiercing.org/publications/brochures/body-aftercare/TheCharteredInstituteofEnvironmentalHealth:http://www.cieh.org/policy/Tattooing_and_body_piercing_guidance_toolkit.html

I N S K I N T A T T O O & P I E R C I N G L T D1 0 5 C A M D E N R O A D , T U N B R I D G E W E L L S T N 1 2 Q R

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CLEANINGINSTRUCTIONSFORALLBODYPIERCINGS

• Wash hands thoroughly with antibacterial liquid soap and dry with paper towelsbefore touching your piercing to reduce the risk of bacteria contacting the woundand therefore reducing the risk of infection.

• Soak the piercing with warm water to soften and remove any discharge from thewound and the jewellery using a clean cotton bud or gauze ensuring clear entry tothe wound for cleaning.

• Salt water solution (1/4 tsp sea salt in egg cup/shot glass of boiled/sterile water)or packaged wound saline spray (available from pharmacists – not contact lensessaline) or salt based piercing aftercare spray available from the studio. Apply tothe piercing

• Rinse clean with warm water and dry thoroughly with clean paper towel (singleuse)

• Tighten balls to bars and horseshoes - right to tighten.• Repeat this process 2-3 times a day for 6 weeks• Keep clean and dry at all times. Avoid dirty, dusty, or wet activities or keep

covered with a clean, non-stick breathable gauze during the activity and cleanafterwards.

WHAT TO EXPECT &WHAT IS NORMAL DURING THE HEALING PERIOD

• Initially; some localised bleeding, swelling, tenderness and /or bruising• During healing, some discolouration, itching, secretion of odourless whitish-yellow

fluid (not pus, which would indicate infection) that will form some crust on thejewellery which must be removed.

• The tissue may tighten around the jewellery as it heals.• Once healed, the jewellery may not move freely – do not force it. Keep it clean.

Failing to keep it clean daily may result in smelly – but normal – body secretions.• A piercing may seem healed before the healing process is complete. This is

because the tissue heals from the outside in and the inside will remain fragileeven if the outside is seemingly fine. Be patient and keep cleaning it for the entiretime advised to.

• Even healed piercings can shrink or close in minutes, varying from person toperson, do not leave your hole empty.

BEST PRACTICE

• Wash your hands prior to touching the piercing and don’t rotate the jewellery• Keep clean or covered at all times.• Ensure clean bedding and clothes that come into contact with your piercing• Stay healthy and get enough sleep. A healthy body heals quicker!

KEYINFORMATION

JEWELLERY:• Larger/longerjewellery isalwaysused

topiercewithtoallowroomforswelling.Thiscanbechanged,nosoonerthentheadvisedtimeperiod,byyourpiercertoasmallerordifferentstylepiece.

• Ringsgenerallytakelongertohealthanbars.

• WeuseTitaniumjewellery astherecommendedhypo-allergenicmaterialforallpiercings.

• Leavethejewellery inatalltimestoavoidshrinkingorclosing.Intheeventofaninfection,qualityjewellery shouldbeleftinplacetoallowtheinfectiontodrain.Ifthejewellery isremovedthesurfacecancloseupandsealtheinfectioninside.

HEALINGTIMES(minimum):• Earlobes:2to3months• Cartilage:4months• Innerear:6months• Scaffold/Industrial:6to12months• Nose:6to12months• Eyebrow:2to4months• Bridge:4months• Cheeks:6to12months• Lips:3months• Tongue:4to6weeks• Nipple:4to6months• Navel:4to6months• Surface:4to6months• Genitals:3to6months

WHATTOAVOID

• Alcohol based cleaning products andEar piercing solutions containingBenzalkonium (BZK) can damage cellsand irritate the skin.

• Over cleaning can also irritate yourpiercing.

• Cotton wool which can leave fibersaround the piercing trapping bacteria.

• Moving, twisting or handling thepiercing. Do not remove dischargewith fingers, refer to cleaning guide.

• Beauty products, creams or cosmeticsshould not be placed on or near thepiercing.

• Swimming or sun beds for the firsttwo weeks or cover with a breathablewaterproof plaster.

• Trauma and friction; be careful orcover with breathable protection.

• Oral piercings, avoid diary, alcoholand spicy food for the first week andensure food is not stuck in the hole.

SIGNS OF INFECTION

If appropriate aftercare is not followedinfection may occur. The signs ofinfections are:• Swelling and redness that increases

around the wound• Burning or throbbing sensation

around the site.• Painful to touch• Unusual discharge (yellow or green)

with smell.Speak to your piercer or seek medicalattention immediately if you have anyconcerns about your piercingRemember, your tattoo is a wound andneeds to be looked after that way.