Big Picture
Jewelry pierced through the body is foreign and unnatural for the body to accept. This is why we have taken extreme measures to ensure you are set up for success; the right placement and angles, jewelry sizes, materials and surface finish. Now the success of your piercing rests in your hands. Aftercare is hands down the most important part of your piercing, as it takes the longest to complete.
The concept reaches far beyond the product you use, but more so the environment and that you expose your piercing to. A happy environment creates a happy piercing.
What to do
First we follow four (4) basic rules for taking care of our piercing:
Rule One (1) : Do not touch your piercing
Rule Two (2) : Do not touch your piercing
Rule Three (3) : DO NOT TOUCH YOUR PIERCING
Rule Four (4) : If you have a question or concern, contact us. No Google. Stay off the internet
By following these rules we allow our body to do the job of healing. While the body heals, a small discharge may appear at the entrance and exit of the piercing. This discharge needs to be cleaned twice daily.
To clean simply:
-Wash your hands thoroughly.
-Take H2Ocean Body Piercing Aftercare and spray it directly on each side of your piercing.
-Let H2Ocean absorb into your skin for thirty (30) seconds.
-Use a piece of sterile gauze to remove any discharge from either side of the piercing (crusties).
After 3 months, or once you’ve run out of sterile gauze and aftercare product. You can switch over to clean water and q-tips.
What NOT to do
Do not move the jewelry (do not spin, twist, turn, or rotate) Piercings need to remain as still as possible during the healing process. Movement can interrupt the healing process, leading to secondary issues (bumps/rejection/irritation).
Avoid bacteria to prevent infections; Dirty hands, clothing, bedding, bodies of water, other people, etc.
Chemical Irritation; as a general rule, if it hurts your eye, it hurts your piercing. Avoid soaps, body washes, shampoo, peroxide, alcohol etc. from getting inside your piercing. This can irritate the newly forming cells, prolonging healing. More on this below.
We recommend isotonic sterile saline .9% sodium chloride, without any preservatives or additives.
Aftercare product available in store, or online here.
Do NOT play with your piercing! Avoid trauma such as friction from excessive motion of the area, playing with the jewelry and vigorous cleaning. These activities can cause the formation of unsightly and uncomfortable scar tissue, migration, prolonged healing, infection and other complications.
Avoid all oral contact, rough play, and contact with others bodily fluids, on or near your piercing during the healing process.
Avoid submerging the piercing in bodies of water such as lakes, pools, hot tubs, rivers, Jacuzzis, etc. for the first 3 months. Or use waterproof bandages.
Avoid all beauty and personal care products on or around the piercing including cosmetics, lotions, sprays, etc.
What to Expect
Initially: some bleeding, localized swelling, soreness, tenderness, and bruising.
During Healing: The tissue may tighten around the jewelry during the inflammation stage. Some discoloration, mild redness, itching, and secretion of a whitish-yellow fluid, that will form some crust on the jewelry. This is normal. This is your body's natural way of draining and cleaning the wound.
A piercing may seem healed, before healing is complete. Although it feels healed, the tissue remains fragile on the inside. BE PATIENT and keep cleaning throughout the entire healing period. Your piercing will take upwards of 6 months or longer to fully stabilize.
* Once Healed: the jewelry will move freely in most piercings. But, not all piercings. Don’t worry, it’s not stuck. DO NOT force it as this will cause trauma. Some piercings are just tighter than others.
Post healing aftercare: After 6-8 months, the tissue should be healed and stable enough to change your jewelry. It's wise to clean out and flush the inside occasionally, as your body isn’t cleaning itself as regularly as it used to. Failure to do so can result in a normal but smelly bodily secretions. Extreme cases of this can lead to itchiness and even irritation, and more extreme complications.
Hints and Tips:
There is no reason at all to pick at, move, twist or rotate your jewelry during the healing process.
Your body will not “grow” to the jewelry. If it feels “sticky” just clean it with some H2Ocean, and leave it alone. Rotating the jewelry will irritate the piercing and cause foreign bacteria to enter the piercing causing infection.
Unless there is a problem with the size, style, or material of the initial jewelry, leave it in place for the entire healing period. Consult with your piercer at Prysm Jewelry & Piercing to perform any necessary jewelry changes for you.
Stay Healthy. Get enough sleep and eat a nutritious diet. The healthier your lifestyle, the easier it will be for your piercing to heal. Make sure your bedding is kept clean and changed regularly. Wear clean, comfortable, breathable clothing that protects your piercing while sleeping.
Leave jewelry in at all times. Even old, well-healed piercings can shrink, collapse or close in minutes after having been there for years! If removed, re-insertion can be painful and difficult.
Downsize - We will advise you during your appointment if you will likely require a downsize. This is a process of replacing the the current stud post, to a shorter version. This is a critical stage to quick healing process. This will help your jewelry be more fitted to your body, look better, and get irritated less.
Do not take piercing advice from your friends, family or other unqualified people. They are not professional body piercers. Stick with the professionals! Help is only a phone call away. Call your piercer at Prysm for any concerns you may have.
Aftercare Products You Should Avoid
- Rubbing Alcohol, Hydrogen Peroxide, Bactine, Ear piercing care solutions (benzalkonium /
benzethonium chloride), Antibacterial Soaps (liquid Dial, Soft Soap, etc.), Betadine (povidone iodine), Provon or Hibiclens, and related products are the absolute worst products you could use...Why, you ask? These products are destructive to newly forming cells, they will dry out your piercing and irritate it, causing scarring. These products will decrease your healing speed which makes you more prone to infection.
- Neosporin, Polysporin, A&D ointment and other petroleum ointments are not good either
because they clog pores and do not allow the piercing to breathe. Healing a foreign object in a puncture wound is different from healing cuts and scrapes.
General Rule: Don't use any product on your piercing, that you would not put directly in your eye!(yes, H2Ocean is safe for your eye)
Oral Piercing
Hints and Tips: Once the swelling has subsided, it is vital to replace the original, longer jewelry with a shorter
Post (downsizing) Consult with your piercer for proper sizing. Failure to do so can result in prolonged healing, gum irritation, gum recession, chipped teeth and other dental problems.
Gently suck on ice to keep the swelling and soreness down for the first few days. Drink lots of
cool water. Ibuprofen can help with swelling - only use over the counter drugs according to their instructions and with the approval of your physician.
Slowly eat small bites of food placed directly onto the molars, think about how you are chewing.
Avoid eating excessively spicy, salty, acidic, or hot temperature foods or beverages for a few days. Stay with non-irritating foods, anything that is soft and easily eaten.
For tongue piercings gently brush your tongue when you brush your teeth – it will help remove
mucous and buildup.
Sleep with your head elevated above your heart during the first few nights to prevent further
swelling.
Brush your teeth and floss daily to maintain a clean environment for your piercing, especially
during the healing process.
FAQ’s
When can I change it?
Piercings need to be healed out of their infancy and stable enough to handle the trauma of changing it. This time can vary per piercing/person, but averages out to 6 months for most piercings.
Is my jewelry too long?
Downsizing is key to the fastest healing. This allows proper fitment and reduces irritation. Please make an appointment for downsizing 8-10 weeks from when you received your piercing.
Set up an appointment for Downsizing here
What if my jewelry is too small?
We estimate how much swelling will occur, but everyone swells differently. Please, set up a Consultation Appointment to get the adjusted.
I think I'm getting a bump?
This is typically caused by irritation. Make an appointment with your piercer so they can better inform you on the best actions to take with your piercing.
I think I have an infection?
Often this can be a mis-diagnosis, and could be a simple fix.
Please set up a Consultation Appointment for assessment by your piercer and/or seek medical attention.
Happy healing
-Prysm
Jewelry pierced through the body is foreign and unnatural for the body to accept. This is why we have taken extreme measures to ensure you are set up for success; the right placement and angles, jewelry sizes, materials and surface finish. Now the success of your piercing rests in your hands. Aftercare is hands down the most important part of your piercing, as it takes the longest to complete.
The concept reaches far beyond the product you use, but more so the environment and that you expose your piercing to. A happy environment creates a happy piercing.
What to do
First we follow four (4) basic rules for taking care of our piercing:
Rule One (1) : Do not touch your piercing
Rule Two (2) : Do not touch your piercing
Rule Three (3) : DO NOT TOUCH YOUR PIERCING
Rule Four (4) : If you have a question or concern, contact us. No Google. Stay off the internet
By following these rules we allow our body to do the job of healing. While the body heals, a small discharge may appear at the entrance and exit of the piercing. This discharge needs to be cleaned twice daily.
To clean simply:
-Wash your hands thoroughly.
-Take H2Ocean Body Piercing Aftercare and spray it directly on each side of your piercing.
-Let H2Ocean absorb into your skin for thirty (30) seconds.
-Use a piece of sterile gauze to remove any discharge from either side of the piercing (crusties).
After 3 months, or once you’ve run out of sterile gauze and aftercare product. You can switch over to clean water and q-tips.
What NOT to do
Do not move the jewelry (do not spin, twist, turn, or rotate) Piercings need to remain as still as possible during the healing process. Movement can interrupt the healing process, leading to secondary issues (bumps/rejection/irritation).
Avoid bacteria to prevent infections; Dirty hands, clothing, bedding, bodies of water, other people, etc.
Chemical Irritation; as a general rule, if it hurts your eye, it hurts your piercing. Avoid soaps, body washes, shampoo, peroxide, alcohol etc. from getting inside your piercing. This can irritate the newly forming cells, prolonging healing. More on this below.
We recommend isotonic sterile saline .9% sodium chloride, without any preservatives or additives.
Aftercare product available in store, or online here.
Do NOT play with your piercing! Avoid trauma such as friction from excessive motion of the area, playing with the jewelry and vigorous cleaning. These activities can cause the formation of unsightly and uncomfortable scar tissue, migration, prolonged healing, infection and other complications.
Avoid all oral contact, rough play, and contact with others bodily fluids, on or near your piercing during the healing process.
Avoid submerging the piercing in bodies of water such as lakes, pools, hot tubs, rivers, Jacuzzis, etc. for the first 3 months. Or use waterproof bandages.
Avoid all beauty and personal care products on or around the piercing including cosmetics, lotions, sprays, etc.
What to Expect
Initially: some bleeding, localized swelling, soreness, tenderness, and bruising.
During Healing: The tissue may tighten around the jewelry during the inflammation stage. Some discoloration, mild redness, itching, and secretion of a whitish-yellow fluid, that will form some crust on the jewelry. This is normal. This is your body's natural way of draining and cleaning the wound.
A piercing may seem healed, before healing is complete. Although it feels healed, the tissue remains fragile on the inside. BE PATIENT and keep cleaning throughout the entire healing period. Your piercing will take upwards of 6 months or longer to fully stabilize.
* Once Healed: the jewelry will move freely in most piercings. But, not all piercings. Don’t worry, it’s not stuck. DO NOT force it as this will cause trauma. Some piercings are just tighter than others.
Post healing aftercare: After 6-8 months, the tissue should be healed and stable enough to change your jewelry. It's wise to clean out and flush the inside occasionally, as your body isn’t cleaning itself as regularly as it used to. Failure to do so can result in a normal but smelly bodily secretions. Extreme cases of this can lead to itchiness and even irritation, and more extreme complications.
Hints and Tips:
There is no reason at all to pick at, move, twist or rotate your jewelry during the healing process.
Your body will not “grow” to the jewelry. If it feels “sticky” just clean it with some H2Ocean, and leave it alone. Rotating the jewelry will irritate the piercing and cause foreign bacteria to enter the piercing causing infection.
Unless there is a problem with the size, style, or material of the initial jewelry, leave it in place for the entire healing period. Consult with your piercer at Prysm Jewelry & Piercing to perform any necessary jewelry changes for you.
Stay Healthy. Get enough sleep and eat a nutritious diet. The healthier your lifestyle, the easier it will be for your piercing to heal. Make sure your bedding is kept clean and changed regularly. Wear clean, comfortable, breathable clothing that protects your piercing while sleeping.
Leave jewelry in at all times. Even old, well-healed piercings can shrink, collapse or close in minutes after having been there for years! If removed, re-insertion can be painful and difficult.
Downsize - We will advise you during your appointment if you will likely require a downsize. This is a process of replacing the the current stud post, to a shorter version. This is a critical stage to quick healing process. This will help your jewelry be more fitted to your body, look better, and get irritated less.
Do not take piercing advice from your friends, family or other unqualified people. They are not professional body piercers. Stick with the professionals! Help is only a phone call away. Call your piercer at Prysm for any concerns you may have.
Aftercare Products You Should Avoid
- Rubbing Alcohol, Hydrogen Peroxide, Bactine, Ear piercing care solutions (benzalkonium /
benzethonium chloride), Antibacterial Soaps (liquid Dial, Soft Soap, etc.), Betadine (povidone iodine), Provon or Hibiclens, and related products are the absolute worst products you could use...Why, you ask? These products are destructive to newly forming cells, they will dry out your piercing and irritate it, causing scarring. These products will decrease your healing speed which makes you more prone to infection.
- Neosporin, Polysporin, A&D ointment and other petroleum ointments are not good either
because they clog pores and do not allow the piercing to breathe. Healing a foreign object in a puncture wound is different from healing cuts and scrapes.
General Rule: Don't use any product on your piercing, that you would not put directly in your eye!(yes, H2Ocean is safe for your eye)
Oral Piercing
Hints and Tips: Once the swelling has subsided, it is vital to replace the original, longer jewelry with a shorter
Post (downsizing) Consult with your piercer for proper sizing. Failure to do so can result in prolonged healing, gum irritation, gum recession, chipped teeth and other dental problems.
Gently suck on ice to keep the swelling and soreness down for the first few days. Drink lots of
cool water. Ibuprofen can help with swelling - only use over the counter drugs according to their instructions and with the approval of your physician.
Slowly eat small bites of food placed directly onto the molars, think about how you are chewing.
Avoid eating excessively spicy, salty, acidic, or hot temperature foods or beverages for a few days. Stay with non-irritating foods, anything that is soft and easily eaten.
For tongue piercings gently brush your tongue when you brush your teeth – it will help remove
mucous and buildup.
Sleep with your head elevated above your heart during the first few nights to prevent further
swelling.
Brush your teeth and floss daily to maintain a clean environment for your piercing, especially
during the healing process.
FAQ’s
When can I change it?
Piercings need to be healed out of their infancy and stable enough to handle the trauma of changing it. This time can vary per piercing/person, but averages out to 6 months for most piercings.
Is my jewelry too long?
Downsizing is key to the fastest healing. This allows proper fitment and reduces irritation. Please make an appointment for downsizing 8-10 weeks from when you received your piercing.
Set up an appointment for Downsizing here
What if my jewelry is too small?
We estimate how much swelling will occur, but everyone swells differently. Please, set up a Consultation Appointment to get the adjusted.
I think I'm getting a bump?
This is typically caused by irritation. Make an appointment with your piercer so they can better inform you on the best actions to take with your piercing.
I think I have an infection?
Often this can be a mis-diagnosis, and could be a simple fix.
Please set up a Consultation Appointment for assessment by your piercer and/or seek medical attention.
Happy healing
-Prysm