Aftercare
Our team of professional piercers and tattoo artists always encourage clients to properly care for their new tattoo or piercing, the final product of quality can be determined by the aftercare following the procedures below. Poke A Dotz carries quality aftercare products that will help your tattoo or piercing heal quickly and properly. On this page you will find in-depth aftercare information outlining proper aftercare and what to expect. Use the search bar below to answer any questions you may have or keep scrolling to view our quick aftercare tips. If there is a question you can't answer on this page please do not hesitate to contact our shop, we will gladly assist you and help you through the healing process.
AFTERCARE TIPS
HOW TO CLEAN YOUR
PIERCINGS
Frequently asked questions
Cleaning Solutions
Use one or both of the following solutions for healing piercings:
1. Packaged sterile saline solution with no additives (read the label), or a non-iodized sea salt mixture: Dissolve 1/4 teaspoon of non-iodized (iodine-free) sea salt into one cup (8 oz.) of warm distilled or bottled water.
2. A mild, fragrance-free liquid soap—preferably anti-microbial or germicidal.
IMPORTANT NOTE: A stronger mixture is not better; a saline solution that is too strong can irritate the piercing.
1. WASH your hands thoroughly prior to cleaning or touching your piercing for any reason. In doing so could put you're piercing at risk of infection, rejection or not healing properly general.
2. SALINE soak for 30 seconds 2-3 times per day. Invert a cup of warm saline solution over the area to form a vacuum. For certain piercings it may be easier to apply using clean gauze or paper towels saturated with saline solution. A brief rinse afterward will remove any residue.
3. SOAP no more than once or twice a day. While showering, lather up a pearl size drop of the soap to clean the jewelry and the piercing. Leave the cleanser on the piercing no more than thirty seconds.
4. RINSE thoroughly to remove all traces of the soap from the piercing. It is not necessary to rotate the jewelry through the piercing.
5. DRY by gently patting with clean, disposable paper products. Cloth towels can harbor bacteria and snag on jewelry, causing injury.
IMPORTANT NOTE: If you would like to learn how to make a cleaning solution at home search "Cleaning Solutions" in the FAQ
The first few days you may experience some bleeding, localized swelling, tenderness, or bruising.
As your piercing is healing you may see some discoloration, itching, secretion of a whitish-yellow fluid (not pus) that will form some crust on the jewelry. The tissue may tighten around the jewelry as it heals.
IMPORTANT NOTE: If you are experiencing anything other than what is listed please feel free to use the chat bot or contact us.
Essentially a "healed piercing" would consist of but not limited to; no swelling, sensitivity is low, no discharge...etc.
However note the jewelry may still not move freely in the piercing location however do not force it.
A piercing may seem healed before the healing process is complete. This is because tissue heals from the outside in, and although it feels fine, the interior remains fragile. Be patient, and keep cleaning throughout the entire healing period.
Continue to maintain your piercing cleaning as part of your daily hygiene routine, it is common that although symptoms subside normal discharge but smelly bodily secretions may accumulate as the healing process continues.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Even healed piercings can shrink or close in minutes after having been there for years! This varies from person to person; if you like your piercing, keep jewelry in—do not leave it empty.
Regularly clean your piercing. For more info on how to clean your piercing follow the instructions listed in the FAQ and or downloadable pdf on the Aftercare home page.
Showers tend to be safer versus taking baths, as bathtubs can harbor bacteria. If you bathe in a tub, clean it well before each use and rinse off your piercing when you get out.
Establish a healthy habits. The healthier your lifestyle, the easier it will be for your piercing to heal. Make sure your bedding is washed and changed regularly. Wear clean, comfortable, breathable clothing that protects your piercing while you are sleeping.
Remember to get good sleep and eat a nutritious diet. Exercise during healing is fine; but listen to your body.
Wash your hands prior to touching the piercing and try to avoid contact with it except when you are cleaning.
During healing, it is not necessary to rotate your jewelry. If you want to clean around your piercing with out the intention to rotate it. Take a cue tip with your choice of piercing solution and gently clean around the piercing.
Avoid products like Bactine®, pierced ear care solutions and other products containing Benzalkonium Chloride (BZK). These can be irritating and are not intended for long term wound care. As well as cleaning with Betadine®, Hibiciens®, alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, Dial® or other harsh soaps, as these can damage cells. Lastly, avoid ointments as they prevent necessary air circulation. Click here to download information on triclosan dangers.
Avoid over-cleaning. This can delay your healing and irritate your piercing.
Avoid undue trauma such as friction from clothing, excessive motion of the area, playing with the jewelry, and vigorous cleaning. These activities can cause the formation of unsightly and uncomfortable scar tissue, migration, prolonged healing, and other complications.
Avoid all oral contact, rough play, and contact with others’ bodily fluids on or near your piercing during healing.
Avoid stress and recreational drug use, including excessive caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol.
Avoid submerging the piercing in unhygienic bodies of water such as lakes, pools, hot tubs, etc. Or, protect your piercing using a waterproof wound-sealant bandage (such as 3M™ Nexcare™ Clean Seals). These are available at most drugstores.
Avoid all beauty and personal care products on or around the piercing including cosmetics, lotions, and sprays, etc.
Avoid hanging charms or any object from your jewelry until the piercing is fully healed.
Come into the shop to have a qualified piercer perform any jewelry change that becomes necessary during healing. Contact your piercer if you need your jewelry removed and you're not sure your piercing has healed properly (such as for a medical procedure or job ). There are non-metallic jewelry alternatives available in store.
Contact your piercer in the event an infection is suspected, quality jewelry or an inert alternative should be left in place to allow for drainage or the infection. If the jewelry is removed, the surface cells can close up, which can seal the infection inside the piercing channel and result in an abscess. Do not remove jewelry unless instructed to by a medical professional.
Should you decide you no longer want the piercing, simply remove the jewelry (or have a professional piercer remove it) and continue cleaning the piercing until the hole closes. In most cases only a small mark will remain.
Unless there is a problem with the size, style, or material of the initial jewelry, leave it in the place for the entire healing period.
When you are switching out jewelry make sure to not leave you're jewelry out for extended periods of time. Even old or well-healed piercing can shrink or close in minutes even after having been there for years. If removed, re-insertion can be difficult or impossible.
With clean hands or paper product, be sure to regularly check threaded ends on your jewelry for tightness. (“Righty-tighty, lefty-loosey.”)
Carry a clean spare ball in case of loss or breakage.
Use the t-shirt trick: Dress your pillow in a large, clean t-shirt and turn it nightly; one clean t-shirt provides four clean surfaces for sleeping.
Maintain cleanliness of telephones, headphones, eyeglasses, helmets, hats, and anything that contacts the pierced area.
Use caution when styling your hair and advise your stylist of your new or healing piercing.
The support of a tight cotton shirt or sports bra may provide protection and feel comfortable, especially for sleeping.
Genital Piercings—especially Prince Alberts, Ampallangs, and Apadravyas—can bleed freely for the first few days. Be prepared.
Urinate after using soap to clean any piercing that is near the urethra.
Wash your hands before touching on (or near) a healing piercing.
In most cases you can engage in sexual activity as soon as you feel ready, but maintaining hygiene and avoiding trauma are vital; all sexual activities should be gentle during the healing period.
Use barriers such as condoms, dental dams, and waterproof bandages, etc. to avoid contact with your partners’ body fluids, even in monogamous relationships.
Use clean, disposable barriers on sex toys.
Use a new container of water-based lubricant; do not use saliva.
After sex, an additional saline soak or clean water rinse is suggested.
Each body is unique and healing times vary considerably. If you have any questions, please contact your piercer.
A hard, vented eye patch (sold at pharmacies) can be applied under tight clothing (such as nylon stockings) or secured using a length of Ace® bandage around the body (to avoid irritation from adhesive). This can protect the area from restrictive clothing, excess irritation, and impact during physical activities such as contact sports.
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