Piercing aftercare
Cleaning Your Piercing
Clean your piercing 2 times per day.
You’ll Need:
Sterile saline wound wash (0.9% sodium chloride with no additives)
Clean paper towels or sterile gauze
How to Clean
Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before touching your piercing.
Spray sterile saline directly onto the piercing.
Allow the saline to soak for 30–60 seconds.
Gently remove any softened debris using sterile gauze if necessary.
Pat the area dry with a clean paper towel.
Leave the jewelry in place.
Less is more. Over-cleaning can slow healing.
During Healing
Please avoid:
Twisting or rotating the jewelry
Touching the piercing unnecessarily
Picking off crusties or dried discharge
Sleeping directly on the piercing (especially ears)
Swimming in pools, lakes, rivers, hot tubs, or oceans during the initial healing period whenever possible
Makeup, lotions, perfumes, or hair products directly on the piercing
Tight clothing rubbing against body piercings
What’s Normal
During healing you may experience:
Mild redness
Swelling
Tenderness
Clear or pale yellow drainage
Small crusts around the jewelry
Minor bleeding during the first few days
These are normal parts of the healing process.
When to Contact Your Piercer
Reach out to us if you experience:
Jewelry becoming embedded
Excessive swelling
Jewelry feels too tight
Large irritation bumps
Persistent discomfort that isn’t improving
Questions about downsizing or changing jewelry
Do not remove the jewelry without speaking to your piercer first. Removing jewelry from an infected piercing can trap the infection inside.
Seek Medical Care Immediately If You Experience
Fever or chills
Red streaks spreading away from the piercing
Thick green, gray, or foul-smelling discharge
Significant swelling that rapidly worsens
Severe pain accompanied by heat and redness
If you believe you have an infection, seek medical evaluation promptly.
Healing Times
(Average healing times—everyone heals differently.)
Piercing
Healing Time
Earlobe
2–4 months
Helix/Flat/Conch
6–12 months
Tragus
6–12 months
Daith
6–12 months
Rook
6–12 months
Industrial
9–12+ months
Nostril
4–6 months
Septum
2–4 months
Eyebrow
3–6 months
Lip/Labret
2–3 months
Tongue
4–8 weeks
Navel
6–12 months
Nipple
9–12+ months
Jewelry Changes
Do not change your jewelry until your piercer tells you it is ready.
Many piercings require a downsize appointment after the initial swelling goes down (typically 4–8 weeks depending on the piercing). This helps improve comfort and promotes proper healing.
What We Recommend
✓ Sterile saline wound wash (0.9% sodium chloride)
Examples:
NeilMed Piercing Aftercare
Steri-Wash
H2Ocean (saline version)
Avoid
Alcohol
Hydrogen peroxide
Betadine/Iodine
Bactine
Antibiotic ointments (Neosporin, Bacitracin, etc.)
Tea tree oil
Homemade salt water solutions
Harsh soaps
These products can delay healing and irritate the piercing.
Healthy Healing Tips
Stay hydrated.
Eat a balanced diet.
Avoid smoking or vaping if possible, as nicotine can slow healing.
Wash pillowcases, hats, and towels regularly.
Be cautious around pets, headphones, helmets, and clothing that may snag the jewelry.
Oral Piercings
For tongue, lip, and oral piercings:
Rinse with alcohol-free mouthwash after eating, drinking anything besides water, or smoking.
Brush your teeth regularly.
Expect swelling during the first several days.
Eat soft foods while swelling is present.
Avoid kissing and oral sexual contact during the initial healing period.
Return for a shorter bar once swelling has resolved if recommended.
Need Help?
If you have any questions or concerns during healing, contact us before attempting to remove or change your jewelry.
Lucky 24 Tattoo
Phone: 629-292-3147____
Email: ___info@lucky24tattoo.com_____
Instagram: ___@lucky24tattoo_____
We are always happy to check your piercing—whether it’s one week or one year later.
Remember: Healing takes time. Be patient, follow your aftercare instructions, and don’t hesitate to reach out if something doesn’t seem right.
