Piercings & Aftercare

Piercings can swell in the first few days. You can keep the swelling and discomfort to a minimum by using an icepack. Ibuprofen/Nurofen can also help keep swelling under control.

Piercings don’t need harsh cleaning. A daily rinse with a sterile saline wound wash, like NeilMed Piercing Aftercare is ideal, or alternatively give it a thorough rinse in the shower.

Piercings hate excessive moisture. After rinsing, dry your piercing gently, either with a hairdryer set to cool or with a disposable paper towel.

• Dirty water like swimming pools, spas, oceans, lakes, baths etc
• Pressure on the piercing, from sleeping, helmets, beanies/hats, earbuds or headphones etc
• Touching, turning or fiddling with your piercing
• Other people touching or playing with your piercing, or other people’s bodily fluids
• Harsh cleaning routines like alcohol, Studex, saltwater soaks, antibacterial soaps, antiseptic creams, essential oils etc

Oral piercings swell significantly. Letting a piece of crushed ice melt in your mouth to keep your piercing cool will help with this. Nurofen/Ibuprofen can also help with any swelling or discomfort.

Rinse your piercing with cool, clean water each time after you’ve had something to eat or drink, to swish away any food build-up around the piercing. If you already use mouthwash daily, you can continue to do so, providing you use an alcohol-free mouthwash.

• Playing with your piercing
• Drinking alcohol, or smoking/vaping
• Dirty toothbrushes - use a brand new one
• Irritating foods - anything super salty/sour/spicy, or with small particles like seeds/grains, or long stringy foods such as noodles or spaghetti
• Other people’s bodily fluids - no tongue kissing or oral sex without barriers