Piercing Aftercare Instructions
NON-ORAL AREAS
Use the following solution to care for piercings on the body:
-A non-iodized sea salt mixture OR Sodium Chloride 0.9% irrigation solution
To make this mixture, dissolve ¼ teaspoon of non-iodized sea salt into one cup of warm distilled or bottled water. A stronger mixture is not better. A saline solution which is too strong can irritate the piercing.
Wash your hands thoroughly prior to cleaning or touching your piercing.
Saline soak for five to ten minutes once or more per day. Invert a cup of warm saline solution over the area to form a vacuum. For certain piercings it may be easier to apply using clean gauze or a cotton tip saturated with saline solution. Rinse thoroughly
Dry by gently patting with clean, disposable paper products, such as a soft paper towel.
ORAL AREAS
Use either one of both of the following solutions to care for piercings inside the mouth:
-Antimicrobial or antibacterial alcohol free mouth wash
-A non-iodized sea salt mixture:
To make this mixture, dissolve ¼ teaspoon of non-iodized sea salt into one cup of warm distilled or bottled water. A stronger mixture is not better. A saline solution which is too strong can irritate the piercing.
Cleaning instruction for the interior of the mouth
Rinse mouth 4-5 times daily with cleaning solution (see above) for 30-60 seconds. Be sure to do so after meals and at bedtime during the entire healing period. If you over-clean, it may cause discoloration or irritation of the tongue.
Cleaning instructions for the exterior of the mouth
Wash your hands thoroughly prior to cleaning or touching your piercing.
Perform saline soaks at least two to three times per day. To do so, simply soak your piercing directly in a cup of warm saline solution for a few minutes. The longer you submerge, the better. For certain placements, it may be easier to apply saline solution by saturating a fresh gauze or cotton tip and gently cleaning around the area. Rinse thoroughly.
Dry cleansed areas with disposable paper products such as gauze or tissues. Pat gently to avoid trauma.
PIERCING HEALING TIMES
Average Healing Times for Piercings
- Ear lobe – 6 to 8 weeks
- Ear cartilage – 4 months to 1 year
- Eyebrow – 6 to 8 weeks
- Nostril – 2 to 4 months
- Nasal septum – 6 to 8 weeks
- Nasal bridge – 8 to 10 weeks
- Tongue – 4 weeks
- Lip – 2 to 3 months
- Nipple – 3 to 6 months
- Navel – 4 months to 1 year