If you got your piercing at North York Ink then you would have already received most of this information in our aftercare brochure given to you after your appointment. If you got your piercing elsewhere, all good, this information is for everyone.
First let’s start with the Cleaning Solutions:
At North York Ink we make our own brand of piercing aftercare that consists of Sodium Chloride and… that’s it. It was once a common practice to mix your own sea salt solution, however mixing your own sea salt solution will often result in the product being far too salty and too strong. This can over-dry the piercing and which will interfere with the healing process. It is strongly encouraged to use a sterile saline labeled for use as a wound wash. Your saline ingredients should list .09% sodium chloride as the only ingredient.
Solutions like: Contact lens saline, eye drops, and other saline products – should never be used on a body piercing.
Second we will jump into how to take care of you piercing:
Firstly, you are going to want to wash your hands thoroughly prior to cleaning or touching your piercing for any reason. Our hands carry on average 3,200 different germs belonging to more than 150 species – some of which can be harmful and cause infection. Improved hand washing techniques can reduce their transmission.
Secondly, you need to make sure to rinse as needed during healing with our North York Ink Saline Solution Piercing Aftercare. For certain placements it may be easier to apply using clean gauze saturated with saline solution. A brief rinse afterward will remove any residue.
Lastly, you will need to dry your piercing by gently patting it with clean, disposable paper products. Avoid using cloth towels as they harbour bacteria and snag on jewelry often resulting in injury/infection.
Third, let’s ease your mind a bit by discussing what is expected, or what is normal:
A little bit of blood is normal after the initial piercing as well as some swelling, tenderness and sometimes bruising – don’t panic, you’re fine! When the piercing is healing, you might see some discolouration. The wound might be itchy, secretion of a whitish yellowish fluid (not pus) will crust around the jewelry. Again – this is normal.
Once healed, the jewelry may not move freely in the piercing; don’t force it. If you fail to include cleaning your piercing as part of your daily hygiene routine, normal but smelly bodily secretions may accumulate.
This one is very important to remember: A piercing may seem healed before the healing process is complete. This is because tissue heals from the outside in, and although it feels fine, the interior remains fragile. Be patient, and keep cleaning throughout the entire healing period as suggested by your piercer.
This one is ALSO very important to remember:
Even healed piercings can shrink or close in minutes after having being open for years! Of course this varies from person to person; if you like your piercing, keep the jewelry in—do not leave it empty.
IN SUMMARY
- Find a reputable piercing studio to do the job right!
- Get yourself a good Saline Solution that consists of .09% sodium chloride as the only ingredient.
- Wash your hands thoroughly prior to cleaning or touching your piercing for any reason.
- A little bit of blood is normal after the initial piercing, as well as some swelling, tenderness and sometimes bruising – don’t panic!
- Enjoy your body-mod!
