It is important to know how to care for and clean the piercing if you are considering getting one. If you do not take care of it, an infection can easily occur.

The first and most important thing you need to know is that you should never touch a new piercing with dirty hands! Touching the jewelry or skin area with dirty hands can easily lead to an infection.

It is common for the piercing to behave in a way that you might find disturbing. Here are some common and harmless things that can happen:

  • tenderness and swelling around the piercing, including discoloration (like a bruise)
  • feeling discomfort, throbbing, itching or heat around the pierced area
  • yellowish fluid coming out of the wound


Saline solution at home

You can make your own saline solution by mixing 1/4 teaspoon sea salt with 2 dl water. Boil the solution until the salt crystals have completely dissolved. Make sure that the solution is not too hot during use. A solution that is too hot can damage the skin.

It is also possible to buy a pre-made solution at the pharmacy. It is also possible to use, for example, septidine. What you absolutely should not do is use pure alcohol such as neoamisept. It extends the healing process because it can destroy the tissue.

Healing time varies depending on location

Ear & face

Brusque: 3-9 months
Ear flaps: 4-8 weeks
Eyebrows: 6-8 weeks
Nose: 3-4 months

‍-Clean the piercing 2-3 times daily. Be careful when brushing your hair and getting dressed. It is easy to  to wear the jewelry when you are active or use headphones.

‍-Avoid makeup and hair products, also make sure you thoroughly rinse all the shampoo off when you shower.

‍-Replace the pillowcase often to keep it as clean as possible.


Lip & tongue

Lip: 6-8 weeks
Tongue: 4-8 weeks

‍- If you have gotten a tongue piercing, it is very common for the tongue to swell up. Drink cold beverages and eat cold liquid food in the beginning. You can start eating normal food when the swelling has subsided (usually within a week).

‍-Have good oral hygiene. Be careful when brushing your teeth.

‍- Refrain from alcohol and tobacco products.

-Rinse with non-alcoholic mouthwash daily.

Body

Navel: 6-9 months
Nipples: women 6-9 months, men 3-4 months

-Clean the piercing 2-3 times daily.

-Avoid high waisted or tight pants.

- Wear a loose cotton sweater when you sleep.

-Do not use a tight bra, a bralette can be suitable as long as the jewelry can not be wrapped around any threads such as lace.

-Do not cover the piercing with anything like plasters, this can cause inflammation.