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Piercing Aftercare - LikeSpikes

AFTERCARE

General Piercing Information

Never touch or play with a healing piercing using unwashed hands.
The easiest way to clean your piercing is in the shower, twice a day. Stand with the new piercing under the flow of the water for a few minutes to soften any dry build-up around the area. Then, using clean hands or a cotton bud, gently dislodge any residue from around the piercing — taking care not to push anything into it, as this can damage the newly forming skin inside.
After showering, apply your aftercare product as advised by your piercer.
Apply the aftercare product directly onto the piercing. Do not soak the area or attempt to rotate or turn the jewellery.
Healing time depends on your body’s natural ability to heal. Most piercings settle within 1–6 months if you follow the advice above, although it is not unusual for some to take a little longer.

Dermals, Skin Divers and Surface Piercings

Refer to the General Piercing Information above.
Avoid changing the dermal top or surface balls on the surface bar for at least 3 months after the piercing, to give it sufficient time to heal.
Never attempt to rotate a dermal.
For the first 3 months, keep the piercing covered overnight and during physical activity to prevent sweat from coming into contact with the site.
When swimming, the piercing must be covered with a waterproof patch.
Always remove patches slowly. A dry build-up may form over the piercing site, and pulling the patch off too quickly can lift or distort the piercing.

Oral Piercings – Labret, Beauty Spot, Lip, Cheek etc.

Refer to the General Piercing Information above.
Because oral piercings sit both inside and outside the mouth, each side must be cleaned separately, using its own method.
Inside the mouth: spray the area with your aftercare product every time you eat, drink, or smoke for the first 8 weeks after being pierced.
Outside the mouth: apply your aftercare product as advised by your piercer. Continue this routine twice a day for approximately 6–8 weeks.
We have fitted a longer bar or larger ring than may seem necessary, to allow room for any swelling. This will need to be swapped for a shorter bar or smaller ring after roughly 2–4 weeks.
It is important to come back for the shorter jewellery once swelling subsides — leaving oversized jewellery in place for too long can damage your teeth and gums.
To support healing, try to avoid alcohol and smoking for the first two months.

Tongue and Inside Mouth Piercings

For the first 24 hours, keep the inside of your mouth cool by sucking on ice, sipping cold drinks, and eating soft, cool, non-spicy foods. This helps to reduce swelling.
Rinse your mouth with the BLUE aftercare product every time you eat, drink, or smoke for approximately 8 weeks.
A longer bar has been fitted initially to allow for swelling. This will need to be replaced with a shorter bar after roughly 1–4 weeks.
Be sure to return for a shorter bar once the swelling has gone down — leaving the longer bar in place unnecessarily can cause damage to your teeth and gums.
To support healing, avoid alcohol and smoking for the first two months.
Healing time varies from person to person and typically falls within 1–6 months, provided you follow the advice above.

Never Do the Following to Your Piercing

Do not clean your piercing with any of the following: methylated spirits, Dettol, bleach, contact lens solution, Betadine, alcohol, kitchen table salt, or any other harsh chemical — these will burn the tissue and ruin your piercing.
Do not apply fake tan over piercing sites.
Do not apply antiseptic creams to a piercing.
Never touch the piercing site with unsterilised hands or fingers.
Do not turn or rotate piercings.
Avoid aggravating the piercing site with clothing (e.g. tight pants over a belly piercing).
Never swim in a chlorine pool before the site has fully healed without first covering the piercing with a fully waterproof, water-tight dressing.

Saline Solution Recipe

Mix 2 teaspoons of rock salt or sea salt (NOT ordinary table salt) into 1 litre of boiled water, then store in a clean lidded container (rinsed out with boiling water).

For a smaller batch, mix ½ teaspoon of rock salt or sea salt into 1 cup (250 ml) of boiled water.
Make a fresh batch every 3 days, and apply twice daily after washing your hands or showering.
Dry the area thoroughly after each cleaning.
Stick strictly to this formula. A solution that is too strong can dry out and burn your skin.

Additional Information

If you develop a pressure lump, blister, or minor infection around your piercing, the only medically proven treatment is Kenacomb Ointment. As this product is prescription-only, you will need to consult your doctor to obtain it.