Nostril, Septum, Ear piercings, Navel, Eyebrow, and Nipple
Apply warm water and antibacterial soap to a Q-tip to remove any crusty matter. Once the crust is completely removed. Apply saline solution to the piercing while moving the jewelry through it. Repeat this at least (3) times a day, always in the morning and at the end of the night.
NAVEL
Navel piercings are the most difficult and lengthy to heal properly.Even with perfect aftercare,a few navel piercings never heal satisfactorily, or they "grow out"( natural replacement of skin pushes the jewelry to the surface,rather than accepting it as a part of the body). A well treated navel piercing takes a minimum of 8-12 months to heal, although the outside will look healed sooner.You must keep up the aftercare for the full healing period.
Many people find navel piercings flare up(redness, minor discharge) off and on as long as they have it.(even after years).Treat flare-ups like a new piercing for 3-7 days. One of the most important factors in healing is avoid close-fitting clothing over the area for at least 6 months (longer is better) Waist bands of pants ,skirts ,etc must either fall below the navel, even when sitting, or be rolled / folded down so they don't press against the jewelry.Avoid wearing any tight items(belts , aprons,body suits,panty hose ,etc.) you may tuck in shirts,if there is enough space around the navel to prevent the jewelry from being pressed to one side.Tight clothes could result in scar tissue,you must try to prevent this .Curved barbells cause fewer clothing related problems than a captive bead ring or a circular barbell.You must still try to avoid tight clothing directly over the piercing.
If the navel piercing "grows out",you can re pierce the navel(usually in the same location).Many people who tend to reject piercings find that it will eventually be accepted when done with a little more tissue used. Allow piercing holes to fully heal(1-4 weeks). Scrub jewelry well and store in a dry safe place.
Larger/Heavier often have longer healing times and more problems with navel piercings. A larger initial ring (5/8" diameter) or a curved barbell (preferred)sometimes helps. Heavier people often bleed more and longer than thin people,due the greater amount of capillaries serving the tissue . Navel piercings should be placed where there is the least pressure to the surrounding tissue(rolls",especially if you sit a lot. Don't be shy discussing any special needs or concerns you may have.
NAVEL PIERCINGS AND PREGNANCY:If you are already pregnant, we will not do a navel piercing on you.Because those piercings take so long to heal,the jewelry would be pushed out of place during the pregnancy, resulting in an unattractive piercing with over sized holes. If you become pregnant during the healing period, remove the jewelry promptly to prevent distortion of the piercing. Wait 6-12 months after delivery. In general, your bodies willingness to retain piercings, and the amount of physical growth of the abdomen, determines whether a navel piercing can be kept.
Tongue
Clean mouth with full strength Listerine or a 50/50 solution of Listerine and water.For the next two and half (2 1/2)weeks,after eating, drinking, smoking, etc you must clean your mouth with the Listerine.Along with reaped cleaning with the Listerine, you must also apply Glyoxide twice (2) a day to the piercing, by putting a couple of drops on the top and bottom of your tongue piercing,letting it to fizz,and rinsing your mouth. DO NOT SWALLOW ANYTHING USED TO CLEAN YOUR TONGUE. Brushing after every meal will help to maintain cleanliness.
Discomfort during the first 2-4 days is common. Soft, bland foods are most comfortable for people during the first week. Spicy, acidic, or hot foods are most likely to be uncomfortable as are sodas and alcohol.Most people can eat drink whatever they wish after the first 7-10 days. Trying to eat solid foods too soon, especially spicy or hard food may damage the piercing.
Check the ball(s) regularly to make sure that they are tight. Be sure to use latex barrier between your mouth and anyone else's body fluids until the piercing has healed (6-8 weeks). Avoid oral sex for at least 2 weeks: avoid pulling on the barbell until the piercing is totally healed.
GENERAL: Mouth piercings cause the surrounding tissues to swell during the first few days. Swelling time is typically 2-3 days, but varies by person and how closely you follow the aftercare instructions. As tempting as i might be DO NOT REMOVE THE JEWELRY. The discomfort is temporary, and you'll have it all again to reinsert the jewelry.Especially for tongue piercings, you may not be able to speak clearly. If possible schedule the piercing for when you have a day or two off work or school, have someone available to answer the telephone ,etc. The more you talk th e longer the swelling lasts.
The jewelry is sized to allow for swelling. Many people find that is still comfortable after the swelling disappears, although it may feel loose till you get used to it. If it feel uncomfortably long, you may replace it with a shorter barbell ( careful about metals and allergies )after the piercing is healed (usually 2-3 weeks). Do not replace the jewelry with any item that is not specifically for mouth piercings.
NOTE: Mouth piercings tend to close very quickly when the jewelry is removed. They can close in as little as 20 minutes,even for well-aged peircings .When you remove jewelry for cleaning, etc. Replace it promptly. If the piercing closes, you must have it re pierced- and go through the healing period again.If you must remove the jewelry (e.g. for a dental appointment) call us for advice first.
FOOD: Cold liquids (milk shakes, etc.)and especially crushed ice will help decrease the swelling.
LIP, CHEEKS, AND LABET PIERCINGS
These piercings require that you use both the External and Oral Piercing instructions. You must clean the outside of the piercing with antibacterial soap and warm water, after which you apply the saline solution with a Q-tip, as according to the External Piercing instructions. However, the part of the Piercing that is inside your mouth must be cleaned with either the full strength Listerine or the 50/50 solution of Listerine and water as well as the Glyoxide. YOU MUST CLEAN THE INSIDE AS WELL AS THE OUTSIDE OF THE PIERCING USING THE PROPER INSTRUCTIONS.
While infections are infrequent, should one occur, call us your professional piercer as soon as possible. Simply removing the jewelry may not end an infection, and may make matters worse by eliminating a passage for the discharge of pus and matter.
Some people assume that at the end of the healing period they can remove their jewelry for a length of time and reinsert it easily. This is not the case. Ear, nostril, and septum piercings should be left in the piercing at all times for at least 6 months: for all other piercings at least one year. Even if healed, time is required for the piercings to "toughen up."
Protect surface piercings from stress. Since they are often highly visible and "reachable," interested but ignorant people around you will be drawn to touch or pull on the jewelry to see if it is "really in there" or it "hurts when I do that." Remember, there is nothing but a thin layer of skin keeping the jewelry in place. It takes surprisingly little effort to pull out a surface piercing and, of course, rip the tissue between the piercing holes.
IMPORTANT: Never take antibiotics prescribed for someone else, on the theory that "if it worked for them it will work for me." If you need to go to a doctor, do not put off going because you are embarrassed. Infections can be serious and can result in permanent damage to the piercing or your health. If you simply can not face your regular doctor, then go to an emergency room. Nothing you can say, do , or show them will be a surprise. They have seen it all. Antibiotics should be considered a last resort. Most infections are minor and will clear up quickly with proper care. Antibiotics cannot help allergic reactions (to jewelry, soaps, or chemicals). Be certain you really need antibiotics before using them.
Follow normal aftercare procedures for rings. For barbells, wash one end of the bar, then "gather " the skin to that side. Wash the exposed portion of the bar. Slide the sking over the clean section. gathering it against the clean ball. Wash the second half of the bar. Repeat this process to rinse. For the first week or so, pushing the skin over far enough to clean the full length of the bar may be difficult. Do the best you can. With time, the piercing will become looser and easier to wash.
Septum: 2-6 weeks
Cheek: 8-10 weeks
Eyebrow: 2-4 months
Tongue: 3-4 weeks
Labret: 8-10 weeks
Lip: 8-10 weeks
Nipple: 4-6 months
Navel: 6-12 months
Tragus: 6-8 months
Nostril: 4-6 months
Your new piercing was performed with great care to ensure cleanliness and quick healing. It is up to you to perform aftercare exactly as directed. The quality of aftercare greatly affects the healing period. Problems with properly cared for piercings are rare, but if you have a concern or question, call us,and in case of serious infection call you physician.