Congratulations!

Now that you have received your piercing, the rest is up to you.

Being a body piercer 12 for years, combined with the experience of being a dental assistant for 12 years and having taken courses at SAIT in sterilization procedures, I have the necessary knowledge and experience to avoid any cross-contamination. I have integrated this knowledge into my piercing procedures in order to make your piercing experience comfortable, clean and safe.

The “aftercare” instructions in this pamphlet are essential to the proper maintenance and healing of your new piercing. Please remember that I have done my part in reducing any chance of infection or disease… The rest is up to you!

GETTING STARTED

The optimal way to care for your piercing is to clean it twice daily (If you are physically active, try to schedule your cleanings after you exercise). The easiest and most comfortable way to clean your piercing is either during or immediately following a hot shower. The hot water and steam will help soften your skin and loosen the crusty layer that forms at the base of your jewelry (making it easier to remove). This crusty matter is part of your body’s natural way of healing. It produces white blood cells that push bacteria out of the piercing. Always ensure that your hands are clean, by washing them with antibacterial soap before you touch your piercing. Saturate the piercing with the recommended cleaning solution to remove the crusty layer that forms on the top and bottom of the piercing. Saturate the area again and spread the cleanser over the entire ring and piercing area. Slowly rotate the ring 5-6 times to ensure proper penetration of the cleanser (this will ensure a total bacteria kill), then rinse the piercing, moving the ring back and forth to ensure that the solution has been fully rinsed out. Dry the area with a disposable paper product such as a Q-tip or paper towel (not your dirty bath towel!)
If saline or bactine is used, the procedure is the same but with a saturated Q-tip used on both sides of the piercing instead.

• Suggested cleansers. The most ideal for all piercings is saline solution (salt water) this can be made up by using a sterilized container (rinsing the container with a weak bleach solution can achieve this) then use ¼ teaspoon of sea salts in 1 cup of bottled water. Solution should be changed weekly, and no double dipping!

• Facial or cartilage- saline, bactine or ear piercing antiseptic (active ingredient for the last two cleansers is benzalkonium chloride).
  
• All other Body piercings (except genitals)- saline solution, or anti-bacterial soaps such as "Dial antibacterial" or" Soft Soap antibacterial".

EAR, CARTILAGE, & LOBE PIERCINGS

• Clean twice daily with saline or Bactine, using the procedures outlined in the “getting started” section above.
  
• Always cover piercing when using hair spray or other hair products.
  
• Change pillowcase often.

FACIAL PIERCINGS
(eyebrow, nose, septum, lip, labrette, cheek)

• Clean twice daily with saline or Bactine, using the procedures outlined in the “getting started” section above.
  
• Leave the piercing alone, DON’T PLAY WITH IT! This will only irritate and hinder the healing process.
  
• For nose piercings- watch when you are blowing your nose, washing your face with a face cloth, drying your face with a towel or pulling shirts or sweaters over and above your face. Don’t forget about it !!!
  
• Avoid the use of make-up around the pierced area for 6 months (this is really important), hair spray or other hair products around the piercing area.
  
• For labrette, lip and cheek piercings, rinse with saline solution or diluted Listerine 4oz (1 part water, 1 part Listerine)
  
• Advil will help reduce swelling (for lips, labrette and cheek only)
  
• Check the tightness on the ball of the labrette, and cheek daily

Aftercare, continued on page 2...