PIERCING AFTERCARE
Please select one of the following images for aftercare instructions specific to your piercing.
EAR PIERCINGS
Remember, redness, swelling, and tenderness is typical for at least a week, and can last much longer. You may notice some itching, bruising, clear, white, or yellow drainage, or tightening of the tissue around the jewelry. None of these reactions should be concerning. You can protect your ear during sleep by investing in a circular travel pillow - place your ear in the hole and allow the weight of your head to rest on the pillow to avoid pressure against your new piercing. You can expect some pain and/or discomfort for a few weeks to a month following a helix piercing.
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​There are more individualized instructions for specific piercings, which you can find below.
EARLOBES: Earlobe piercings typically take between 2-3 months to heal; however, you may notice that changing your earrings is comfortable roughly 6 weeks after your piercing appointment. Please do so only with clean, dry hands, and make sure you use high-quality jewelry, such as titanium or pure gold. Earlobes are typically pierced with an 18 gauge needle.
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HELIX/CARTILAGE: The initial healing period takes approximately 4 to 6 months, and full healing typically occurs within 6 to 9 months. Helix piercings take much longer than most people realize, and can be difficult to deal with if you wear your hair long, have glasses, or wear caps or hoods. Cartilage piercings are typically pierced with a 16 gauge needle.
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FORWARD HELIX: Healing time for a forward helix piercing is approximately 4 to 6 months. This piercing is prone to irritation due to the location of your hair line, whether your wear glasses, or when you apply makeup. The forward helix is typically pierced with a 16 gauge needle.
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INDUSTRIAL: The industrial piercing is one of the most difficult ear piercings to heal, and can (and typically does) take up to one year for complete healing. This can be prolonged by agitating your piercing with hair, glasses, or bumping the jewelry. Industrial piercings are typically performed with two 14 gauge needles.
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ROOK: The rook piercing can take 8-12 weeks for initial piercing, and up to a year for complete healing. This, as with other cartilage piercings, can be irritated with movement or agitation of the jewelry. It may be difficult to clean your rook piercing due to its location within your ear - give yourself time and patience. The rook is typically pierced with a 16 gauge needle.
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DAITH: The daith piercing can take 8-12 weeks for initial piercing, and up to a year for complete healing to occur. This of course can be prolonged if the piercing is irritated. Although there is no scientific evidence to prove that the daith piercing eliminates or improves migraines, many clients see positive results. This piercing can be difficult to clear due to its location within your ear, so give yourself time and patience. The daith is typically pierced with a 16 gauge needle.
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CONCH: The conch piercing can take up to 6 to 9 months to heal fully. It is pierced with a stud to avoid irritation and can be changed into a hoop after healing has completed. The conch is typically pierced with a 16 gauge needle.
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TRAGUS: The tragus piercing typically takes between 8-12 weeks to heal. The rejection rate for a tragus piercing is higher than other piercings due to its location. Remember not to wear earbuds or headphones for at least 2 weeks following your tragus piercing. The tragus is typically pierced with a 16 gauge needle.
NOSE PIERCINGS
Remember, redness, swelling, and tenderness is typical for at least a week, and can last much longer. You may notice some itching, bruising, clear, white, or yellow drainage, or tightening of the tissue around the jewelry. None of these reactions should be concerning. You can protect your ear during sleep by investing in a circular travel pillow - place your ear in the hole and allow the weight of your head to rest on the pillow to avoid pressure against your new piercing. You can expect some pain and/or discomfort for a few weeks to a month following a helix piercing.
​
​There are more individualized instructions for specific piercings, which you can find below.
EARLOBES: Earlobe piercings typically take between 2-3 months to heal; however, you may notice that changing your earrings is comfortable roughly 6 weeks after your piercing appointment. Please do so only with clean, dry hands, and make sure you use high-quality jewelry, such as titanium or pure gold. Earlobes are typically pierced with an 18 gauge needle.
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HELIX/CARTILAGE: The initial healing period takes approximately 4 to 6 months, and full healing typically occurs within 6 to 9 months. Helix piercings take much longer than most people realize, and can be difficult to deal with if you wear your hair long, have glasses, or wear caps or hoods. Cartilage piercings are typically pierced with a 16 gauge needle.
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FORWARD HELIX: Healing time for a forward helix piercing is approximately 4 to 6 months. This piercing is prone to irritation due to the location of your hair line, whether your wear glasses, or when you apply makeup. The forward helix is typically pierced with a 16 gauge needle.
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INDUSTRIAL: The industrial piercing is one of the most difficult ear piercings to heal, and can (and typically does) take up to one year for complete healing. This can be prolonged by agitating your piercing with hair, glasses, or bumping the jewelry. Industrial piercings are typically performed with two 14 gauge needles.
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ROOK: The rook piercing can take 8-12 weeks for initial piercing, and up to a year for complete healing. This, as with other cartilage piercings, can be irritated with movement or agitation of the jewelry. It may be difficult to clean your rook piercing due to its location within your ear - give yourself time and patience. The rook is typically pierced with a 16 gauge needle.
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DAITH: The daith piercing can take 8-12 weeks for initial piercing, and up to a year for complete healing to occur. This of course can be prolonged if the piercing is irritated. Although there is no scientific evidence to prove that the daith piercing eliminates or improves migraines, many clients see positive results. This piercing can be difficult to clear due to its location within your ear, so give yourself time and patience. The daith is typically pierced with a 16 gauge needle.
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CONCH: The conch piercing can take up to 6 to 9 months to heal fully. It is pierced with a stud to avoid irritation and can be changed into a hoop after healing has completed. The conch is typically pierced with a 16 gauge needle.
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TRAGUS: The tragus piercing typically takes between 8-12 weeks to heal. The rejection rate for a tragus piercing is higher than other piercings due to its location. Remember not to wear earbuds or headphones for at least 2 weeks following your tragus piercing. The tragus is typically pierced with a 16 gauge needle.
LIP & ORAL PIERCINGS
Remember, redness, swelling, and tenderness is typical for at least a week, and can last much longer. Swelling is a particular worry for lip and oral piercings, and can last for up to two weeks. You will likely be pierced with a bar much longer than would fit comfortably in a typical piercing, which will be downsized when swelling is reduced.
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There are more individualized instructions for specific piercings, which you can find below:
​LABRET: The labret piercing includes many different piercings, such as the traditional labret, a lower side labret, an upper side labret (Marilyn/Madonna), spider bites, dolphin bites, and snake bites. These all have a typical healing process of 6-8 weeks. They are pierced with a stud and a long post for initial healing, then can be downsized after swelling has finished. Labret piercings are typically done with a 16 gauge needle.
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MEDUSA/PHILTRUM: The Medusa piercing can take 6-12 weeks to heal. This is often accompanied by significant swelling, which requires a long post to fit comfortably until swelling has dissipated. A lip piercing, and most piercings in general, heal from the outside in, which means your lip piercing may appear healed before it actually is. This is important to remember with downsizing and eating. The Medusa is typically pierced with a 16 gauge needle.
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VERTICAL UPPER/LOWER LABRET: The vertical upper and lower labret piercings (often called a Jestrum piercing for the upper lip) take approximately 8-12 weeks to heal. These also result in significant swelling and will require a long bar for the initial piercing. Once the swelling has reduced, you can be fitted with a bar that fits more closely against your lip. This piercing is typically pierced with a 16 gauge needle.
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ASHLEY: The Ashley piercing takes approximately 8 weeks to heal. This piercing can cause significant swelling and difficulty eating. Listen to your body, and eat what feels comfortable. The post will initially be larger than anticipated to accommodate for swelling, and can be downsized to a closer fit after swelling has cleared up. The Ashley is typically pierced with a 16 gauge needle.
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TONGUE: The tongue can take 6-8 weeks to heal fully. Swelling can persist for up to one week, and sometimes longer. Continue to eat and drink what feels comfortable; however, avoid the use of straws and vapes as often as possible. Rinse your mouth with non-alcoholic mouthwash for the first two weeks. Continue regular oral hygiene practices, including brushing your tongue and (gently) the jewelry itself to avoid plaque buildup. Allow ice to melt on the tongue to help with swelling and discomfort. The tongue is typically pierced with a 14 gauge needle.
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SMILEY: The smiley can take 8-12 weeks to heal. This is considered a long-term temporary piercing, and is highly prone to rejection and migration. You may eat or drink what is comfortable during the healing process. Avoid smoking, vaping, and sucking on straws during the healing period. Consistent good oral hygiene is crucial to the longevity of this piercing. The smiley is typically pierced with a 16 gauge needle.
SURFACE PIERCINGS
Remember, redness, swelling, and tenderness is typical for at least a week, and can last much longer. Because surface piercings are typically performed through skin, the healing time can lessen and the pain is minimal; however, this of course depends on an individual's tolerance. In addition, many surface piercings are considered long-term temporary, which means they are more prone to migration and rejection.
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There are more individualized instructions for specific piercings, which you can find below:
EYEBROW: The eyebrow can take 8-12 weeks to heal. The eyebrow is considered a surface piercing, which comes with a higher rate of rejection. If the piercing rejects or migrates, this can lead to scarring. Swelling and bruising are normal reactions to an eyebrow piercing. The eyebrow is typically pierced with a 14 or 16 gauge needle, depending on the client.
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NAVAL: A belly button piercing can take anywhere from 6 weeks to 6 months to heal, depending on your activity level, clothing, and how your body reacts to trauma. Swelling and bruising can occur in the pierced area, which can be followed by the development of scar tissue. You may cover the piercing with gauze if you notice irritation. The naval is typically pierced with a 14 gauge needle.
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BRIDGE: The bridge is typically healed within 3 to 4 months. Bridge piercings are prone to migration and rejection; however, with proper care, you should be able to maintain your piercing without incident. Swelling and bruising is typical in this area, and you may be pierced with a longer piece of jewelry than expected to accommodate for these reactions. The bridge is typically pierced with a 14 or 16 gauge needle.
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GENITAL PIERCINGS
Remember, redness, swelling, and tenderness is typical for at least a week, and can last much longer. Because surface piercings are typically performed through skin, the healing time can lessen and the pain is minimal; however, this of course depends on an individual's tolerance. In addition, many surface piercings are considered long-term temporary, which means they are more prone to migration and rejection.
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There are more individualized instructions for specific piercings, which you can find below:
NIPPLES: Nipple piercings can take up to one year before full healing occurs. It is normal to experience soreness, swelling, and some bleeding at the piercing site. Secretion of fluid from the nipples, which can later form "crusties," is not typically cause for concern. Wearing loose, comfortable clothing (or compression, depending on your preference) may help reduce discomfort. The nipples are typically pierced with a 14 gauge needle and straight barbell.
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VERTICAL CLITORAL HOOD (VCH): A VCH piercing typically takes 8-12 weeks to fully heal. However, healing time can vary based on aftercare, jewelry size, and your anatomy. Redness, swelling, and soreness are typical during the healing process. If you have an exposed hood, healing may take longer, and you might experience increased sensitivity. Engaging in protected sexual activity is fine during the initial healing process, but barrier protection is strongly recommended to prevent infection.​
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PRINCE ALBERT (PA): A Prince Albert, or PA, typically takes 8-12 weeks to fully heal. During the initial healing process, the piercing site may continue to bleed for up to two weeks. Although this may be alarming, it is a normal reaction. Using a leak-proof covering (such as a condom or rubber glove) helps to contain any blood or secretion of fluid. The PA is typically pierced with a 10 gauge needle.​
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FRENUM: A frenum piercing will take approximately 6-8 weeks to fully heal; adding more bars to create a ladder can increase healing time. Bleeding during this time is a typical response. Avoiding sexual contact is strongly recommended; at the very least, barrier protection (such as a condom) should be used to prevent irritation or infection. A frenum piercing is typically performed with a 12 gauge needle.​
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