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

1. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before touching your piercing.

2. Spray sterile saline directly onto the piercing.

3. Allow the saline to soak for 30–60 seconds.

4. Gently remove any softened debris using sterile gauze if necessary.

5. Pat the area dry with a clean paper towel.

6. 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.