CARE AFTER PIERCING

Piercing is just the beginning—how you care for it matters most. Our aftercare approach supports your body’s natural healing while allowing room for individual needs and intuition.

General Healing Principles

  • Healing is a process, not a straight line.

  • Everyone’s body reacts differently.

  • Follow clean, consistent care.

  • Hands off unless cleaning. No twisting, rotating, or playing with your jewelry.

  • Watch for signs of irritation and avoid friction or pressure.

Estimated Healing Times

  • Earlobes: 6–8 weeks

  • Cartilage (helix, tragus, etc.): 4–12 months

  • Nose: 4–6 months

  • Navel, Nipple, and Surface Areas: 6–12+ months

These are general timelines—healing varies based on your body, lifestyle, and consistency in care.

Daily Care Instructions (All Piercings)

  • Clean 1–2x daily with sterile saline or wound wash (no additives).

  • Do not twist or turn jewelry

  • Keep piercing site dry.

  • Avoid alcohol, tea tree oil, or harsh cleansers.

  • Minimize sleeping on or bumping your piercing.

Ear Piercings (Lobe, Helix, Flat, Tragus, Conch, Daith, Rook, etc)

Estimated Healing Times:

  • Lobe: 3–6 months

  • Cartilage: 6–12+ months

What to Expect:

  • Occasional crusting, itching, and tenderness.

  • Cartilage piercings often have longer, slower healing due to limited blood flow.

Common Issues:

  • Sleeping on new ear piercings causes bumps, swelling, or migration.

  • Earbuds, masks, hats, and hair can snag or irritate healing piercings.

Resize Needed?
Yes — 6–8 weeks after piercing. Downsizing prevents pressure bumps, shifting, or snagging.

nose Piercing

Estimated Healing Time:

  • 4–6 months (may vary)

What to Expect:

  • Swelling or crust during early weeks

  • Nostril “bumps” are very common (usually irritation, not infection)

Common Issues:

  • Bumps caused by:

    • Changing jewelry too early

    • Bumping or snagging (masks, towels)

    • Not downsizing in time

Resize Needed?
Occasionally — if the post is clearly too long

Navel Piercing

Estimated Healing Time:

  • 6–12+ months

What to Expect:

  • Initial swelling or bruising

  • Crust and clear discharge are normal

  • Surface piercings like navels heal more slowly and are prone to irritation

Common Issues:

  • Tight clothing, waistbands, or seat belts causing friction

  • Sleeping on stomach

  • Exercise or stretching pulling the skin

Resize Needed?
Occasionally — around 8–12 weeks depending on swelling and body movement. A shorter bar helps avoid migration or irritation.

Extra Tips:

  • Avoid tight high-waisted pants and belts during healing

  • Clean area gently after sweating or workouts

  • No submersion in pools, hot tubs, or bathtubs until fully healed

Nipple Piercings

Estimated Healing Time:

  • 9–12+ months (varies significantly)

What to Expect:

  • Extended tenderness, swelling, and occasional discharge are normal

  • Some people notice sensitivity cycles for several months

Common Issues:

  • Pressure from bras, sleeping, or bumping into things

  • Over-cleaning or using harsh products

  • Friction from clothing during workouts or sex

Resize Needed?
Not always — We can evaluate if a shorter post is appropriate around 3–4 months or longer.

Extra Tips:

  • Wear soft, clean bras or cotton shirts to protect them

  • Avoid rough contact or trauma during healing

  • Always wash hands before touching the area

Healing is a Process, Not a Race

Be patient. Some days will feel great, others might feel off. That’s normal.

The best thing you can do? Stay consistent, don’t rush a jewelry change, and reach out if something feels off.

When to Book a Check-In?

  • 4–8 weeks after your appointment for a downsize

  • If you're experiencing a bump, tenderness, or shifting jewelry

  • Check-ins are complimentary and designed to keep your healing on track.

  • These are ideal for questions, healing concerns, or general troubleshooting.

  • Please book your check-in online only, select “resize”

Listen to Your Body

We provide aftercare guidelines based on industry best practices, but every body heals differently.
If you notice any irritation, persistent redness, swelling, or discharge that doesn’t feel right to you, consult your primary care provider—regardless of what we observe during a check-in.

Trust your instincts. You are your own best advocate when it comes to healing.