Healing Basics
Congratulations on your new Body Piercing.
Now that you have your new piercing, it is essential that you follow the following instructions – so that your piercing not only looks fantastic but it also heals well too!
The Phases of Healing
There are three key phases involved with a body piercing.
Each phase will present itself differently. After care focuses on the first two stages as they are where infections or irritations are more likely to occur.
Inflammation &
Acceptance Phase
During this phase your body may try to reject the piercing and common characteristics can include tenderness, swelling, heat, bruising and bleeding. Piercing area infections can be common during this period.
TIP: Downsize with high quality, sterile jewellery once the swelling has subsided. Although the healing process for piercings continues for several months, oral piercings can usually be downsized from 3-4 weeks. All other piercings can usually be downsized from 6-8 weeks.
Healing
Phase
During this phase the body makes new scar tissue around the piercing. During this period some discharging fluid may continue to occur. Piercings may continue to be susceptible to infection during this phase.
TIP: Continue to wear high quality, sterile jewellery.
Maturation
Phase
By this stage your piercing should have no tenderness or discharge and it should be safe to change your jewellery as any further infection is unlikely.
TIP: Continue to wear high quality, sterile jewellery.
How long will it take to heal?
We consider the below to be the average healing times.
Ear (lobe)
3-4 months
(Jewellery can usually be downsized from 6-8 week)
Ear (cartilage)
9-12 months
(Jewellery can usually be downsized from 6-8 week)
Nose (nostril)
6-9 months
(Jewellery can usually be downsized from 6-8 week)
Nose (septum)
2-3 months
(Jewellery can usually be downsized from 6-8 week)
Lip
3-4 months
(Jewellery can usually be downsized from 3-4 week)
Tounge
2-4 months
(Jewellery can usually be downsized from 3-4 week)
Eyebrow
3-4 months
(Jewellery can usually be downsized from 6-8 week)
Nipple
8-12 months
(Jewellery can usually be downsized from 6-8 week)
Navel
6-9 months
(Jewellery can usually be downsized from 6-8 week)
Home Care Advice
eAR AND BODY
PIERCINGS
- Do not touch a new or healing piercing.
- Clean twice daily with aftercare solution. Once in the morning and once at night. Over cleaning should be avoided as this can irritate your piercing and possibly delay healing.
- Oral piercings should be cleaned 3 times a day with an oral specific aftercare solution. Avoid smoking, vaping, drinking alcohol, spicy food and dairy for the first two weeks.
- Avoid sleeping on and try to avoid bumping or causing undue pressure on your new piercing.
- Avoid swimming post piercing and rinse piercing area thoroughly after showering.
- Do not remove the jewellery.
- Once your swelling has subsided and at the appropriate healing stage, your jewellery may be downsized by a professional to avoid any unnecessary irritation.
dERMAL / SURFACE
PIERCINGS
- No form of tanning while your piercing is healing.
- Your piercer has placed a bandage over your anchor.
- This bandage should be left on for 24 hours and worn at night for the first 7-10 nights. Bandage should be removed during the daytime to allow for proper healing and changed as required.
- If your anchor appears further from the skin or is tilting to one side or another it is important to visit us immediately.
Children’s Ear Piercing FAQs
We can also offer needle lobe piercings for children aged 12 years and above. Speak to one of our piercers about your options and make the choice that’s right for you and your child.
