HOW TO AVOID PROBLEMS

When taken care of properly, infections or irritations are unlikely. When they do occur, it is usually because the piercee has failed to follow their aftercare instructions. Chemicals WILL NOT help your body to heal faster!

Quite the opposite in fact. Chemicals of any kind will upset the balance within your newly forming skin cells, creating a condition in which your piercing will heal tremendously slowly, if ever.

DO NOT USE: Rubbing Alcohol, Hydrogen Peroxide, Bactine, Hibiclens, Neosporin or any other over the counter antiseptic or antibiotic unless specifically prescribed by a physician or recommended by your Piercer.

ALWAYS CLEAN YOUR HANDS THOROUGHLY BEFORE TOUCHING YOUR PIERCING!! This is the single-most common source of infections. Everything that touches your new piercing should be clean…this includes sheets, towels, clothing and other items. (e.g. phone receivers)

AVOID: Hot tubs, public pools, Tanning beds, and sunbathing or any other activity that would cause the delicate tissue around your piercing to burn, freeze or be subjected to foreign bacteria.

THE BETTER YOUR HEALTH, THE HEALTHIER YOUR PIERCING.

A nutritious diet with some form of vitamin and mineral supplementation helps the body fight infection. Zinc can be particularly helpful during the first two weeks. Zinc is best taken on a full stomach. One 50-milligram tablet with every meal. Vitamin C in 2000mg. Daily dosages can also strengthen your immune system.

DO NOT REMOVE JEWELRY! Extra length is allowed on initial piercing jewelry to account for the swelling. Wait between two and four weeks before making a change to a shorter stud. With the exception of this downsizing, jewelry should not be changed for the first few months. If jewelry must be removed for a short period of time it is most likely, your piercing will close. We advise you contact Adorn Body Art for any removal or reinsertion of jewelry. Call us at 503.292.7060

NO TONGUE KISSING or ORAL CONTACT until the piercing is healed! AVOID other people’s body fluids, (i.e. sweat, semen, saliva). Even monogamous partners fluids contain bacteria that are foreign to your body.

QUIT PLAYING WITH IT! This will not only inhibit healing and possibly contribute to excessive, unsightly and uncomfortable scarring, but may also lead to damage of your tooth enamel and gums. Even after healing, excessive play with jewelry can result in permanent damage to teeth and gums.

CHECK YOUR BALLS! All threaded jewelry (e.g. barbells and labret studs) can become loosened over time. On a daily basis, wash your hands thoroughly and tighten your balls firmly but gently so as to not strip the threads on your Jewelry. Some piercees will carry a spare ball in their wallet or purse. In an emergency a small piece of clean pencil eraser can be press-fit onto the post as an emergency measure to keep the jewelry from coming out until a replacement can be obtained.

EAT SLOWLY and concentrate on your chewing to avoid accidentally biting on your new piercing. A diet of non-spicy mushy foods is recommended for the first few weeks. AVOID hot and spicy foods and drinks, which will scald the tongue and increase swelling. Also AVOID aspirin, large amounts of caffeine and alcoholic beverages for the first several days. Don’t worry, the initial awkwardness and discomfort you feel will pass!

AVOID SMOKING! Smoking greatly increases your chances for an infection and slows the healing process. The less you smoke the better.

ICE IS GOOD! You can expect some swelling, especially during the first week. Gently sucking on chipped or shaved ice or drinking ice water will help immensely.