BODY PIERCING AFTERCARE

Aftercare is simple. Your number one rule: keep your hands off your piercing. Minimizing contact plays a major role in proper healing.

When cleaning your piercing, use only sterile saline or clean running water. Avoid alcohol, peroxide, Bactine, tea tree oil, antibacterial soap, or other harsh products — these can irritate and delay healing.

Do not twist, pull, or remove your jewelry to clean it. Doing so can cause irritation bumps, scarring, and prolonged healing.

Cleaning Guidelines

  • Clean your piercing 1–2 times per day. More is not better — overcleaning can also cause irritation.

  • “Crusties” are a normal part of healing. While they may not look great, do not pick or pull them off.

  • Spray both sides of your piercing with sterile saline and allow it to soak briefly.

  • If crusties soften after spraying, they may gently rinse away. If using a Q-tip, make sure it is soaked in saline first and use a very light touch. Never use dry Q-tips, as they can be abrasive.

  • Dry your piercing thoroughly. Hawaiʻi’s humidity can contribute to healing issues, so gently pat the area dry using sterile gauze or a single-use paper towel.

Healing takes patience — treat your piercing gently and let your body do the rest.

Genital Piercing Aftercare

When caring for genital piercings — whether penile or vulva — good hygiene is essential. It’s also important to avoid contact with another person’s bodily fluids during the healing process.

Penile Piercings

Penile piercings follow the same aftercare guidelines as other body piercings. Clean gently with sterile saline and avoid unnecessary irritation.

Vulva Piercings

For vulva piercings, maintaining your natural pH balance is key. Avoid saline soaks or additional products that may disrupt the area’s natural environment. Gentle hygiene with clean water is typically sufficient unless otherwise directed.

Sexual Activity

During healing, refrain from sexual activity — both oral and penetrative — even in monogamous relationships. Introducing another person’s bacteria or fluids can interfere with healing and increase the risk of complications.

Healing in this area requires patience, consistency, and care. If you have questions at any point, we’re always here to guide you.

 
 
 
 

ORAL PIERCING AFTERCARE

Oral piercings such as tongue and smiley piercings often heal more quickly due to the rich blood supply in the mouth. However, they still require proper aftercare.

For piercings that pass from the outside into the mouth (such as philtrum, labret, and lip piercings), you’ll need to follow both standard body piercing aftercare for the exterior and oral aftercare for the interior.

Caring for an Oral Piercing

  • Rinse your mouth 2–3 times daily with an alcohol-free mouthwash. Over-rinsing is not necessary.

  • If you smoke and feel the need to rinse afterward, bottled water is sufficient. Reducing smoking during healing is strongly recommended.

  • Be mindful of greasy or spicy foods, as they can irritate the piercing while it heals.

As always, gentle care and consistency are key to a smooth healing process.