How to care for your new piercing

The healing time for a piercing varies by type and can also differ from person to person. General health and physical condition play a role in this. Personal hygiene is essential during the healing period. Fully healing a piercing can take more than a year and is not linear. This means that during the healing process, you may experience recurring fluid bumps, swelling, or irritation.

After the piercing is done, the pierced area can become red and swell significantly. If you have a ring that is too small or a bar that is too short, there is a higher risk of infections and complications, which is why piercings are done with a longer bar or larger ring. During the healing period, the ring or bar should have constant space and not be too tight or too loose. If you feel that the swelling is causing a lack of space, we recommend coming back. We can temporarily switch to an even larger piece of jewelry.

Usually, after 8-12 weeks, you can change the piercing to a smaller version. Make sure to come back on time for downsizing to avoid crooked healing or rejection.

The piercing should be considered a wound and treated accordingly. To ensure optimal and smooth healing, the following rules should be observed:

• Touch the piercing as little as possible with your hands.
• Occasionally, a small bruise may appear at the piercing site, but this will disappear on its own.
• Avoid sleeping on your piercing, as this is the most common cause of fluid bumps, irritation, and crooked healing.
• Always contact us if you experience fluid bumps, irritation, the feeling that the bar is no longer long enough, or if you have concerns or other questions. In case of severe redness, swelling, bleeding, pus, discoloration, signs of rejection, or severe pain, always contact your doctor.
• Wash the area around the wound twice a day with a mild unscented soap until the wound is completely healed.
• Pat the area around the wound dry after washing with a clean towel or tissue.
• Keep the piercing as dry as possible after washing.
• Do not apply ointment, petroleum jelly, or similar products to the wound.
• Do not apply disinfectant solutions such as Sterilon® or Betadine® to the wound.
• Do not cover the piercing with bandages, except briefly if needed during sports activities.
• For a body piercing (e.g., nipple or navel piercing), do not wear tight or dirty clothing.
• During the healing process, avoid contact with swimming water (chlorinated pools, hot tubs, natural swimming water). Also, avoid using a steam bath.
• Do not remove the jewelry yourself if you experience irritation; contact the studio or doctor for hygiene reasons.

Specific Aftercare Instructions for Oral Piercings

A tongue or lip piercing (or other piercing in the mouth) requires extra attention after eating, drinking, and smoking, and after any other oral contact. Regularly brush your teeth (keep the mouth plaque-free, for example, with a salt-based toothpaste) and, if necessary, rinse with a mouthwash containing chlorhexidine. Avoid kissing or other oral contact during the healing process.

Specific Aftercare Instructions for Genital Piercings

Genital piercings around the urethra require extra care. Soap in the urethra can cause a bladder infection. Drinking a glass of water about an hour before cleaning the piercing can help flush out any soap residue after washing.

Genital piercings should be protected during sexual intercourse with a sturdy condom (e.g., a condom for anal sex) or a dental dam. Ideally, avoid sexual intercourse during the healing of a genital piercing.

Fluid Bumps

Fluid bumps and irritation are a normal part of the healing process. They are fluid-filled bumps around your piercing. Some piercings, like cartilage piercings, can take up to a year to fully heal. During this time, bumps may come and go.

There are many possible reasons for fluid bumps, such as:

• Sleeping on your piercing
• Stress
• Traveling
• Hair and body products
• Low immune system
• Sensitivity to jewelry
• Inconsistency in aftercare

Surgical steel contains various materials, including nickel, and is not used in our studio, despite being allowed by the Dutch health department. We use ASTM F-136 certified implant-grade titanium or 14K/18K gold. If you suspect sensitivity, ask your studio for a test report on their jewelry.

How Do I Get Rid of Fluid Bumps on My Piercing?

Visit your piercer; sometimes it is necessary to change the length of the bar. Use a saline solution spray like Neilmed Piercing Aftercare Spray and consult your piercer for the recommended frequency and duration of use.