HoleTruth body piercing aftercare information





		General Info \| Most Piercings \| Oral Piercings \| Genital Piercings

		General Aftercare Info
		Following is a list of general "Do's and Dont's" for the newly pierced. These guidelines apply to ALL piercings, regardless of their place on your body. This is largely common sense stuff. If any of these guidelines seems ridiculous to you, you may want to reconsider getting pierced. Remember that health is irreplacable and shouldn't be compromised for anything.
		Do:
		Wash your hands before touching your healing piercing. If you're not cleaning it, leave it alone. Select and use one cleaning solution, preferrably the one your piercer recommends. Leave the original jewelry in until it's healed. Make sure the balls are tight on the jewelry. If you like your piercing leave your jewelry in. Even old, completely-healed piercings can close quickly! Keep your bed clean and changed frequently while you are healing, especially if pets get in your bed. Wear clean comfortable, breathable clothing in the area of a body piercing. Taking a multi-vitamin may help boost your body's healing abilities. The healthier you live, the easier it will be for your piercing to heal. Contact your piercer if anything seems out of the ordinary.
		Dont:
		Don't use alcohol, peroxide or betadine as they may hinder healing. Don't use any ointments such as Neosporin or any triple antibiotic ointment on your piercing. Don't overclean. Cleaning more often than twice a day is NOT better. Avoid oral contact, rough play and contact with others body fluids on or near your piercing during healing. Don't use band aids on a healing piercing. Avoid sleeping on a piercing during healing

		Aftercare For Most Piercings
		If your piercer recommended a cleaning product, consider using it. Other alternatives include Provon medicated lotion soap or a mild liquid anti-bacterial soap such as Dial.
		Cleaning Procedure:
		Wash hands thoroughly with a liquid anti-bacterial soap before handling or cleaning your piercing. If convenient, you may wish to wear disposable latex gloves while cleaning your piercing. Clean your piercing twice a day for the duration of the initial healing period. The best place to clean the piercing is in the shower (while hands are clean) Prepare your piercing for cleaning by rinsing it with warm water. This will help loosen and 'crust' that may have built up and rinses away any dirt that may be present. Gently remove any crust that may have built up on your jewelry with a clean cotton swab. Using a cotton swab, apply cleaning solution and warm water to the piercing. GENTLY clean piercing and surrounding area. Slightly rotate jewelry back and forth, working solution into the piercing. Rinse piercing and jewelry thoroughly. Be certain that all soap has been rinsed away. Pat dry with a clean disposable product. (cloth towels are a haven for bacteria) Jewelry with threaded beads should be checked regularly to guard against bead loss.

		Aftercare For Oral Piercings
		For external aftercare of lip, labret or cheek piercings, If your piercer recommended a cleaning product, consider using it. Other alternatives include Provon medicated lotion soap or a mild liquid anti-bacterial soap such as Dial. For tongue piercings, use an antiseptic mouthwash such as Tech2000 or Listerine. (Listerine should be dilluted to half strength with water)
		Cleaning Procedure:
		For external care of lip, labret, or cheek piercings, use the aftercare instructions for most piercings found above. For tongue piercings, use the instructions below: Rinse with antiseptic mouthwash for 30 to 60 seconds after the consumption of anything. For the first two weeks, rinsing hourly is suggested. Reduce the intake of anything that may irritate your mouth, such as hot or spicy foods and warm beverages. Try to avoid tobacco and alcohol products. Ice and ice water will greatly reduce swelling, ibuprofen can be used to reduce swelling if you are not allergic to it. Do not play with the new piercing during the healing time. This can cause scar tissue build up, tearing, or migration of the piercing. Jewelry with threaded beads should be checked regularly to guard against bead loss.
		Remember that there is an open wound in your mouth and be sensible when it comes to sex and your health. Kissing and oral sex are a very bad idea during the healing period.

		Aftercare For Genital Piercings
		If your piercer recommended a cleaning product, consider using it. Other alternatives include Provon medicated lotion soap or a mild liquid anti-bacterial soap such as Dial.
		Cleaning Procedure:
		Follow the aftercare instructions for most piercings found above. Avoid subjecting your new piercing to excess friction or rough play. If your piercing is near your urethra, urinate after you have cleaned your piercing to remove any cleaning product that may have gotten in your urethra.
		During the healing period of a new genital piercing, ALWAYS use condoms and / or dental dams to reduce the risk of infection - even in a monogamous relationship.

		These guidelines are based on a combination of experience, common sense, and research. This is not to be considered a substitute for medical advice from a doctor or a piercing professional. Be aware that many doctors have no specific training or experience regarding piercing and may not be educated on how best to assist you.