Your guide to your new piercing - THE HEALING PROCESS

1. Avoid touching your fresh piercing! The only time you can touch it is when cleaning it.

2. Fluid and/or sticky discharge that may come in green, yellow or white color is normal. It will become crust that will surround the pierced area or jewelry. Remember to clean the area and remove crusts from fluid discharge. Use an aftercare solution to soften it together with a cotton buds.

3. Avoid putting pressure to the pierced area. Don't sleep on the side you had your piercing. You also need to put extra care and avoid the area being hit by hands or when combing your hair.

4. Be cautious when putting and removing your masks so it won't get pulled. That can be really painful and may result to swelling!

5. Delay that salon appointment! Wait for your fresh piercings to heal! Chemicals that may come in contact with your healing piercing can lead to infection and/or irritation.

6. I know you're excited to change the jewelry but please let your piercings heal completely!

7. We may unconsciously move or twist the jewelry. So make sure you secure it by tightening the ball lock.

8. For navel and nipple piercings - make sure not to wear tight clothes, bottoms, and bra that may give pressure to the pierced area. Aftercare solution can also be used to aid in healing.

9. For tongue piercing - avoid eating spicy and citrus flavor foods. You should also skip foods that have thick consistency. You may use alcohol free mouthwash to make sure bacteria won't build up on the area.

10. For facial piercing - make sure to avoid the pierced area away from chemicals from your skin care essentials and makeup. It is also not the best time to get facials.

11. The most recommended aftercare solution is Neilmed. But if you want to have options you may use the following:

DIY Saltwater solution - mixture of clean (distilled) water and 1tbsp rock salt. Make sure the bottle you'll be using is sterilized and you need to change the solution every after 24hrs.

Drugstore saline solution - make sure salt content is not too high.

FAQs

1. "My new piercing is swelling what should I do?"

Is there an instance that you accidentally hit your piercing or you slept on it? Yes? You can do cold compress to the area and continue using your aftercare solution 2 to 3 times a day.

2. "There's a greenish/yellowish discharge, is my piercing infected?"

Discharge can be normal. If not accompanied with fever and foul odor of the discharge, then you'll be fine and it is not infected. You just need to follow the aftercare tips!

3. "Can I use Hydrogen Peroxide or alcohol to clean my healing piercing? Or how about an antibacterial cream to make the healing faster?"

No! No and No! Alcohol and Hydrogen Peroxide is not recommended for fresh and healing piercings. It may irritate the area and just prolong the healing process. As for antibacterial creams, it is not recommended if you just want to make the healing faster. However, if your piercing is infected and as advised by a doctor you may do so.

What most piercing specialists recommend is to use NEILMED PIERCING AFTERCARE SOLUTION. Specially formulated and designed for fresh and healing piercings.

4. "Can I swim at the beach or pool after getting a piercing?"

No. Submerging the area in water like pool, beach, jacuzzi, etc is not advisable. It can result to swelling, irritation, and/or infection since we all know the water is dirty.

5. "How long does it take for my piercings to heal?"

It will always depend on how you take care of it. Below are just standard healing time (may be shorter or beyond the standard). It may vary depending on your body and aftercare.

Lobe 1 to 3 months
Cartilage parts of the ear 3 to 6 months
Nostril 2 to 3 months
Septum 3 to 6 months
Tongue 1 to 3 months
Navel 6 months to 1 year
Nipple 2 to 3 months

6. "How will I know if my piercing is infected?"

Pain, redness, pus, severe swelling, foul odor draining and heat to the site of the piercing are signs of infection. Be advised that some swelling, redness and discharge from the site is normal, but if you are not sure, PLEASE consult a health-care professional.

For swelling, be sure to watch out if the jewelry is still movable in back and forth direction or a space between the bar and ear is still visible. If you think there's no more space, please remove the jewelry ASAP or contact your piercing specialist to help you and assist you.

7. "My piercing has a bump. What should I do?"

You just need to continue using your aftercare solution and follow the aftercare tips.

8. "My piercing is bleeding, is this normal and what should I do?"

Bleeding can be normal. Specially on the first 3 to 5 days after getting your ears pierced. Clean the area to make sure blood clot will not be left sitting on the surface. You may press the area lightly so blood will come out and cold compress it after.

9. "Why is my piercing not healing? It has been so long since I had it."

Again, the healing process can vary from person to person. It will always depend on how you take care of it. There are also some factors that you need to consider: your lifestyle, everyday activities and your health. For example, you had an helix piercing and everyday requires you to wear helmet since riding a motorbike is your means of transportation. Then it will really not heal well. Or you may be diabetic, it makes it longer for your wounds to heal.

10. "Can I use tea tree oil for bumps and as an aftercare?"

Although it has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, it is not recommended to use tea tree oil for fresh piercings. Some skin may not be suitable using this formula. The simplest way to care for your piercing is just salt water mixture and of course, NEILMED (plus other aftercare tips).

● Always remember that getting a piercing regardless of the placement is a commitment. It will not heal right away. Patience is needed when getting a piercing - during and after the procedure.

● If your piercings are not healing accordingly and there are things you're not sure about, don't hesitate to contact your piercing specialist.

Placements

Here's a visual guide to help you plan your earscape and body modification!

Can't decide? Let me help you curate your piercings! We can also do constellation piercings! Just send me a DM on Instagram and I'll be glad to assist you!