Body and surface piercing aftercare
The aftercare of body piercing
is important to promote good
healing and prevent the risk of
infection.
Healing times for piercing will vary with the type and position of the piercing and vary from person to person.
For the first few weeks it is normal for the area to be red, tender and swollen. Approximate healing times for surface, navel and nipple piercing can be as long as 6 months to 1 year.
Remember these times are approximate and will depend on how healthy you are and whether you look after the piercing properly until healed.
As with all body art, infection is a risk. To reduce these risks take advice from your practitioner regarding aftercare. The risk of infection can be greatly reduced by good general hygiene including:
Healing times for piercing will vary with the type and position of the piercing and vary from person to person.
For the first few weeks it is normal for the area to be red, tender and swollen. Approximate healing times for surface, navel and nipple piercing can be as long as 6 months to 1 year.
Remember these times are approximate and will depend on how healthy you are and whether you look after the piercing properly until healed.
As with all body art, infection is a risk. To reduce these risks take advice from your practitioner regarding aftercare. The risk of infection can be greatly reduced by good general hygiene including:
- Hand washing before touching the piercing
- Keeping the piercing clean.
Hand washing
Hand washing is the single most important
method of reducing infection. Hands must
be washed prior to touching the affected
area, therefore reducing the risk of infection.
Wash your hands in warm water and liquid soap, always dry your hands thoroughly with a clean towel or paper towel. This should remove most germs and prevent them being transferred to the affected area.
A new piercing can be tender, itchy and slightly red and can remain so for a few weeks. A pale, odourless fluid may sometimes discharge from the piercing and form a crust. This should not be confused with pus, which would indicate infection.
Wash your hands in warm water and liquid soap, always dry your hands thoroughly with a clean towel or paper towel. This should remove most germs and prevent them being transferred to the affected area.
A new piercing can be tender, itchy and slightly red and can remain so for a few weeks. A pale, odourless fluid may sometimes discharge from the piercing and form a crust. This should not be confused with pus, which would indicate infection.
Body and surface piercing aftercare
including Nape, Horizontal Navel, Niple,
Horizontal Eyebrow, Wrist, Anti-eyebrow,
Madison, Chin, Vertical Bridge, Pubic,
Handweb and Prayer.
Soak the piercing for a few minutes by submerging the area of skin containing the piercing in a clean jug or bowl containing a warm water solution (1/4 level teaspoon of preferably sea salt to an egg cup/shot glass of warm water). Alternatively wet a clean cloth or gauze in the solution and apply as a warm compress. This will soften any discharge and allow you to clean the entry and exit points of the piercing with a cotton bud or gauze. Once the discharge is removed or softened then jewellery can be gently moved so as to work a little warm water through the piercing. When cleaning always tighten the ball on any bars by screwing the ball to the right.
Do this twice each day, preferably after washing or bathing.
You can also use mild antibacterial solutions and soaps to wash the wound site. Ask your local pharmacist to advise you and always follow the manufacturers’ instructions. If irritation, redness or drying occurs discontinue use.
Dry the piercing using ONLY fresh disposable paper towel/kitchen roll. A communal hand/bath towel should never be used.
Do not use cotton wool to clean the piercing as the fibres in the cotton wool may get caught in the piercing.
Do not pick at any discharge and do not move, twist or turn the piercing whilst dry. If any secreted discharge has hardened then turning jewellery may cause the discharge to tear the piercing, allowing bacteria to enter the wound and prolonging the healing time.
Do not wear tight clothing following nipple piercing
Do not wear tight clothing e.g. tights, belts or high waisted clothing after naval piercing as this may irritate the wound and delay healing.
Do not use sunbeds for the first two weeks, or if you decide to then cover the wound area with a breathable plaster during tanning.
Do not swim for the first 24 hours following a piercing
Soak the piercing for a few minutes by submerging the area of skin containing the piercing in a clean jug or bowl containing a warm water solution (1/4 level teaspoon of preferably sea salt to an egg cup/shot glass of warm water). Alternatively wet a clean cloth or gauze in the solution and apply as a warm compress. This will soften any discharge and allow you to clean the entry and exit points of the piercing with a cotton bud or gauze. Once the discharge is removed or softened then jewellery can be gently moved so as to work a little warm water through the piercing. When cleaning always tighten the ball on any bars by screwing the ball to the right.
Do this twice each day, preferably after washing or bathing.
You can also use mild antibacterial solutions and soaps to wash the wound site. Ask your local pharmacist to advise you and always follow the manufacturers’ instructions. If irritation, redness or drying occurs discontinue use.
Dry the piercing using ONLY fresh disposable paper towel/kitchen roll. A communal hand/bath towel should never be used.
Do not use cotton wool to clean the piercing as the fibres in the cotton wool may get caught in the piercing.
Do not pick at any discharge and do not move, twist or turn the piercing whilst dry. If any secreted discharge has hardened then turning jewellery may cause the discharge to tear the piercing, allowing bacteria to enter the wound and prolonging the healing time.
Do not wear tight clothing following nipple piercing
Do not wear tight clothing e.g. tights, belts or high waisted clothing after naval piercing as this may irritate the wound and delay healing.
Do not use sunbeds for the first two weeks, or if you decide to then cover the wound area with a breathable plaster during tanning.
Do not swim for the first 24 hours following a piercing
Signs of infectio
If appropriate aftercare is not followed
infection may occur. The signs of
infection are:
Speak to your practitioner or seek medical attention immediately if you suffer from any of the above or have any concerns regarding infection in your piercing or if there are any signs of an allergic reaction to any of the products used.
- Swelling and redness that increases around the wound.
- A severe burning and throbbing sensation round the site.
- Increased tenderness and increasingly painful to touch.
- An unusual discharge (yellow or green) with an offensive smell.
Speak to your practitioner or seek medical attention immediately if you suffer from any of the above or have any concerns regarding infection in your piercing or if there are any signs of an allergic reaction to any of the products used.
For further advice or information
Contact your local Environmental Health
Department, or your local Public Health
England Health Protection Team
This Information is provided by: Public Health England North West Public Health England East Midlands Tattoo and Piercing Industry Union
This Information is provided by: Public Health England North West Public Health England East Midlands Tattoo and Piercing Industry Union