(click name above for gallery)

::Basic Piercing Care::

1) The best method for healing piercing's is by soaking them 3-4 times daily in a Sea Salt
water solution (Since you body contains salt water, sea salt water soaks will not be harsh to your body like
man made chemical cleansers can be.)

2) Upon leaving our studio, you should stop by your local grocer and/or supermarket
and purchase a package of sea salt (otherwise referred to as no-iodized salt or kosher salt) and
a gallon of distilled water.

3) The first step you will take is to make the correct mixture of sea salt and distilled water
for you to do your soaks with. Your objective is to make the same mixture of sea salt per
distilled water the is contained throughout your body. The easiest way to do this is through a
taste test.

4) Take the package of sea salt and add just a very little bit to the gallon of distilled water.
Replace the cap on the gallon of distilled water and shake. Pour a little bit of the mixture into a
cup and taste. Since you added just a little bit of sea salt you will not taste any salt in water.
Just keep repeating this process of adding a little bit of sea salt, shaking, pouring in a
separate cup and tasting till you get to the point that you just taste the salt in the water. Now you
have the correct mixture.

5) Once you have the correct mixture of Sea Salt and water, you piercing(s) should be soaked in
sea salt water 3-4 times daily, for 5-10 minutes per soak till the piercing is healed unless
conditions suggest more.( i.e.: sexual activity, swimming, etc... )

6) Once you are done with each individual soak, your piercing should be rinsed off with clean
water. As sea salt water is by far the best thing for a piercing, leaving the salt water on without
rinsing it off can cause the piercing to dry out over time.

::Oral Piercing's::

1) You want to rinse you oral piercing after everything you eat drink and/or smoke with a diluted Antiseptic mouthwash, if you did not eat drink and/or smoke anything, rinse with the diluted mouthwash or ever 4-5 hours.

2) Make a mixture of approximately 1/4 teaspoon of sea-salt ( readily available at you grocer or supermarket ) per 8oz cup of distilled water. *Note* you should barley taste the slat in the water. Rinse with this salt water mixture twice a day for at least the first two weeks.

3) Ibuprofen and/or Naproxen Sodium ( i.e.: Aleve ) can be taken for discomfort and reducing swelling, but, as always, consult your doctor before taking any kind of drug.

4) For Lips, Labrets, Madonna's, basically any oral piercing that exits on the outside of your mouth, follow the above basic piercing care directions for care of the outside

::Normal things that may occur with an oral piercing::

1) A white discharge from around the hole.

2) Tightness and pressure, especially underneath the tongue may occur.

3) Difficulty eating and/or swallowing.

4) Raised and/or broken skin around the jewelry. This will go away.

5) A white/brownish color on your tongue. This may be due to excessive rinsing and/or using a mouthwash that is not correctly diluted.

::Genital Piercing's::

1) Follow the basic piercing care. Sexual activity should be avoided during the healing process. BUT, if you do have sex with ( or without ) a fresh genital piercing, a condom should always be used.

2) If you do have sex, limit abuse to the piercing area and wash thoroughly immediately afterwards.

3) Your urine is sterile to your own body, so, urine will help clean your piercing and wash away any residue you may have missed during cleaning.

4) Warm saltwater soaks are encouraged as they are soothing and help aid in healing.

5) With male genital piercing's that travel through the urethra, be prepared for bleeding, especially while sleeping. This is perfectly normal and may continue for a few days up to a week.

**Remember**

Probably the most important thing to healing a piercing is education. NEVER be afraid to ask questions. We encourage them. Educate yourself about safe piercing and aftercare. We are never too busy to answer your questions and there is no such thing as a stupid question. When in doubt, ASK!!!

::Top ten things to avoid::

1) Rubbing alcohol:( i.e.: Alcohol, witch hazel, etc.... ) Very harsh and drying. Can slow healing and destroy newly forming tissue.

2) Hydrogen peroxide: Also very harsh. Can cause scar tissue to form with repeated use.

3) Antibiotic Ointments: ( i.e.: Neosporin, Bacitracin, Triple Antibiotic ) These Can clog you piercing and block necessary flow of oxygen. Your body builds up a tolerance to antibiotic ointments quickly and then all that is left is the petroleum jelly which makes a prefect breeding environment for bacteria. Also, ointments create a barrier which makes cleaning your piercing impossible.

4) Touching you piercing with unwashed hands: You hand are exposed to germs every day ( i.e.: money, door handles, pets, etc.... ). The main cause of infection is touching piercing's with unwashed hands.

5) Swimming, hot tubs/ soaking baths: If, possible, avoid for at least the first few months. If this is not possible a waterproof bandage like Tegderm Can be worn to protect the piercing. Always thoroughly clean your piercing when you are done.

6) Other peoples bodily fluids: Avoid until fully healed. REMEMBER, your piercing is an open wound and you exchange more then just bodily fluids!

7) Tight clothing: ( i.e.: belts, buckles stockings ) These will irritate your piercing, especially navel piercings.Wear pants that are loose enough so that when you sit, stand, or bend over, they will not scare or knock against your piercing.

8) Friction: Excessive movement and/or rough activity Can cause a lot of problems ( i.e.: keloids, hypotrophic scars, extended healing time, Migration, rejection, etc..... )

9) Over cleaning: REMEMBER, you skin is tender and trying to heal. Over cleaning will damage the delicate tissue and cause irritations thereby delaying the healing process.

10) Advise from uneducated piercers and/or friends: Use common sense. Trust your body. If something is not working discontinue use and contact us.

:: Healing Times ::

The following are approximate healing times for well-cared-for piercing's for most people. Keep in mind that your piercing may heal more quickly or take even longer. If you pay attention to what your body is doing, you will know when your piercing is healed. At the end of the healing time, cleaning twice daily is no longer required, although cleaning once daily is still recommended. At this point, jewelry Can safely be changed, but should not be left out of any piercing during the first year. Even once the hole becomes permanent, it Can still shrink and make jewelry reinsertion difficult. As a general rule, if you like your piercing, keep jewelry in it.

:: Facial Piercing's ::

Earlobes :: 6-8 weeks
Ear Cartilage :: 4-12 months

Eyebrow :: 2-3 months
Nostril :: 2-6 months

Septum :: 6-8 weeks
Bridge :: 8-10 weeks

Tongue :: 4-6 weeks
Lip/Labret :: 8-10 weeks

Madonna :: 8-10 weeks
Cheek :: 10-12 weeks

:: Nipples & Navels ::

Female Nipples :: 4-8 months
Male Nipples :: 2-4 months

Navels :: 6-12 months

:: Female Genital Piercing's ::

Inner Labia :: 2-4 weeks
Outer Labia :: 2-6 months

Clitoral Hood :: 2-6 weeks
Fourchette :: 4-6 weeks

Triangle :: 8-10 weeks
Clitoris :: 2-4 weeks

:: Male Genital Piercing's ::

Prince Albert :: 4-9 weeks
Reverse PA :: 4-6 months

Frenum :: 6-8 weeks
Scrotum :: 6-10 weeks

Guiche :: 8-10 weeks
Dydoe :: 8-12 weeks

Ampallang :: 4-6 months
Apadravya :: 4-6 months

You have left our studio with a clean a sterile piercing But everything from this point on is up to you. Make sure you take care of your piercing and follow the directions and you will end up with a happy piercing. And, as always, if you have any questions, give us a call.