FEMALE GENITAL PIERCING AFTERCARE INSTRUCTIONS
HOW TO CLEAN YOUR PIERCING
It is important that your piercing be thoroughly cleaned twice a day. Over or under cleaning your piercing can inhibit the natural healing process and lead to infection. The best cleaners we have found include Provon medicated soap, or for the extremely sensitive, a mild, pH balanced cleanser like Dr. Bronner's Baby Castille. Remember that Castille soap MUST be diluted, preferably with distilled water. Cleanse your hands thoroughly before you begin the cleaning process!
1. One of the easiest ways to clean your piercing is in the shower, after you have cleaned the rest of your body. The first step is to carefully remove any crusties from the piercing jewelry by soaking and a gentle lathering of soap. Having crusted up lymph and dried skin cells is a perfectly normal part of the healing process, but it can be irritating if pulled through the fresh piercing. To remove stubborn crust you may enlist the help of a clean Q-tip, being careful to remove any remaining fibers. Do not use fingernails!
2. After you have removed the lymph, squirt a small amount of soap onto the piercing area and lather up. Work the cleaner into the piercing by gently rotating the jewelry back and forth about six times.
3. Finally, rinse the piercing out thoroughly under running water. Any soap residue left in the piercing will be extremely irritating.
4. Dry off using a clean towel or disposable paper product. (In general, piercing should be kept dry, as moist areas attract and foster bacteria)
SALT WATER SOAKS OR COMPRESSES
Mild salt-water soaks are strongly suggested to accelerate healing and minimize discomfort and irritation during the healing process of your piercing. Salt-water soaks help to drain and dry up the piercing and stimulate air and blood circulation. Soaks are particularly beneficial when you are experiencing discomfort or before you do anything active as it will remove the crusties and allow the ring to move more freely. Use either a generic low-cost contact solution or a self-made mixture of non-iodized sea salt and distilled water. Note: Epsom salt and even table salt is not the same as sea salt.
1. Dissolve 1/4 teaspoon of salt into one cup of warm water in a clean cup. (A stronger solution is not better as you can burn your piercing) The solution should be relative to the salt content of your tears.
2. If possible, fill a shot glass or coffee mug with the Saline Solution and place it over your piercing allowing it to soak. If this is impossible, use clean cotton balls or gauze pads soaked in your saline solution and apply them gently around your piercing.