Clean your piercing twice daily using a combination of saltwater soaks and a mild soap (such as Safecare Plus, which we provide to all of our clientele). Over cleaning can be as bad as under cleaning, as you run the risk of drying out the piercing. We recommend that you get yourself into a routine, in the morning and evening.

First, do a saltwater soak (as detailed further down on the page) to help soften and remove dried discharge and lymph secretion and to relieve itching. After soaking your piercing, thoroughly remove the softened "crusties" with a clean cotton bud - do not use your fingernails! Once this is completed, you need to rinse the salt water off - the shower is the best place to adequately rinse your piercing. Wash your hands with a mild antibacterial soap, rinse them well and place a couple of drops of Safecare Plus in your palm and lather with water. Carefully massage this into your piercing, allow the lather to soak in for 1-2 minutes, then rinse your piercing thoroughly and well with water. Do NOT rotate or turn your jewellery, this is unnecessary and forcing your jewellery to turn may seriously injure your piercing and set back your healing. After showering, dry your piercing and jewellery with a clean, dry cotton bud, paper towel, or gauze. Do not dry the piercing with bath towels, as towels harbour bacteria and you may catch the jewellery on the loops of the towel!

It is not advisable to rotate the jewellery, the reason being that if there are any 'crusty' bits stuck to the jewellery you could drag them through the inside of the piercing and damage the delicate granulation tissue that is trying to form. Rotating and playing with your jewellery will tend to irritate it and cause it to 'flare up'. Also, touching your piercing with unwashed hands at any time will only expose your fresh piercing to countless bacteria and germs that are picked up on the hands from all the surfaces we touch throughout the day.

A bit of sunshine is great as vitamin D helps to promote healing, avoid extended exposure and stay out of the sun when it's at it's harshest (between 11 am and 3pm).

NEVER use any chemical products to clean your piercing. (e.g. alcohol swabs, hydrogen peroxide, Betadine, Dettol, 100% oils, Benzalkonium chloride-based "piercing aftercare" sprays, etc.) While many of these chemicals have antibacterial properties, they are also cytotoxic (meaning that they kill off the healing cells, as well as bacteria) and will irritate your piercing. They are too strong for continual use and damage the healing tissue, therefore slowing down the healing period.

AVOID using any creams on the piercing as the piercing cannot 'breathe', again, slowing down the healing period and also leaving a sticky residue which can lead to problems.

AVOID sleeping directly on the piercing until it has fully healed is recommended.

We suggest that you AVOID swimming in public places for at least the first week, swimming pools; watering holes & even the ocean here in the NT as it is tropical water. Common sense prevails as to when you can go swimming, if you are experiencing some problems with your new piercing then do not subject it to anything which may make it worse.

Ensure that bed linen is clean & changed on a regular basis, this goes for all materials that can come into direct contact with a new piercing.

AVOID other peoples bodily fluids coming into contact with your healing piercing. If your own sweat has come into contact with your piercing during exercise, please rinse with bottled water to prevent aggravation caused by the acidity in your perspiration.

As healing periods vary from piercing to piercing, we recommend that you leave the initial jewellery in the piercing for as long as possible, this will ensure the piercing has had enough time to strengthen & the 'channel' formed. If you take the jewellery out of the piercing too soon then there is the risk that the hole may close up or shrink quite considerably. It is advised that you contact us to change the jewellery (at no extra charge) especially for the first time. If you need to take the jewellery out for sport, work or medical reasons then there are alternative pieces that can be used to help keep the channel open & the shrinkage minimized. Insufficient sleep, drugs & alcohol consumption, bad diet; can all contribute to long, slow & problematic healing periods. Stay healthy!

Salt water & chamomile soaks

Both of these soaks are great for healing piercings. Both require hot water so it is not recommended to use on your fresh piercing within the first week. The mild salt water soaks help to circulate blood and help to 'drain out' any build up of lymph, dead tissue, etc. Both help to reduce any swelling that may occur, reduce irritation if the piercing has been accidentally knocked and/or redness. Using demineralised (distilled) water is a better option, but not essential.

Salt soak

Add a ¼ of a teaspoon of non-iodised sea salt to 250ml (1 standard measuring cup) of freshly boiled water. Before applying to the skin, allow to cool slightly and make sure the salt has dissolved thoroughly. Depending on the placement of the piercing you can either soak up some of the hot salt solution with a cotton pad and apply it to the piercing, or submerge the entire piercing into the salt solution. You can also try pouring some of the solution into a smaller cup, apply to the area to form a vacuum & hold it firmly onto the piercing. Whichever method you choose, allow the piercing to soak for ten to fifteen minutes.

Chamomile soak

100% chamomile tea bags only. Submerge the tea bag in freshly boiled water & allow to steep for at least ten minutes, cool slightly & apply the bag directly onto the piercing, leave on for 10-15 minutes. You can still drink the tea! Chamomile has been used for generations for its soothing and anti-inflammatory properties, but it should be avoided if you have any allergies to ragweed or flower pollen!

What to expect during healing

Like any break of the skin, some soreness after the body piercing procedure can be expected. Bleeding is quite normal, even spot bleeding in some areas for up to 24 hours afterwards can happen. Bruising is also common, so please do not be alarmed.

Redness around the piercing is quite normal & can last up to 10 days. If the piercing is constantly subjected to pressure from clothing or accidental knocks or sleeping on them you can expect the redness to remain for longer, as well as some tenderness.

Some piercings may swell, taking anti inflammatory tablets i.e. Nurofen or Ibuprofen, will help alleviate the swelling, take as directed on the packet, the pharmacist will assist you if you need further advise on these products.

During healing you may find the piercing may feel itchy, as it is important not to touch or play with the piercing you may find wrapping some ice in a clean paper towel and holding it gently onto the piercing will help to alleviate the itchiness.

Also during healing, you may notice your piercing secreting a liquid which is whitish/yellow in colour. This is normal & when it dries it forms a crust on the piercing as well as on the jewellery, previously referred to as the 'crusty' bits. This is just lymph, blood plasma & dead cells & it means you piercing is healing as it should.

Some tightness of the jewellery is normal even when the piercing is fully healed, if you need to move the jewellery for whatever reason, then just dab a small amount of diluted lavender oil onto the piercing to help lubricate it before movement.

Infection is rare & a lot of people often mistake other, more common issues for infection. If you have any doubts about your piercing, please consult us immediately and use the back up service that we provide. We are here to help & advise.

Remember BE PATIENT & BE HEALTHY!

Extra info for individual areas

Nipple: Healing period for men is approximately 8 weeks, and for women approximately 12 weeks. We recommend that females wear cotton crop tops to bed and avoid wearing lacy bras during the day, going braless is not advised. We give the guys some breathable patches to wear over fresh nipple piercings, which can be helpful during the first week or so of healing. They're breathable patches which you can remove by soaking in baby oil for a few minutes before having a shower. The patch helps to stop your clothing continuously rubbing on the nipple causing excessive soreness and discomfort.

Cartilage & facial: Cartilage piercing can generally take a while to heal, high contact areas, such as the top ear can be up to 12 months healing. The nose takes 3 months minimum; it's a good idea to gently snort some warm shower water up on the inside of your nose piercing to help loosen those 'crusty' bits.

Facial piercings can take approximately 8 weeks to heal. Be careful not to knock your piercing when taking clothes, sunglasses, hats etc. on and off. Avoid make up, cleansers, hairspray etc. directly on the piercing. Be careful when answering the phone not to bump ear piercings & ensure the receiver is clean.

Navel: Navels can take a while to heal also as they are the hinge of our body so there is a lot of movement going on. Expect a minimum of 3 to 6 months for this one. Avoid tight clothing and belts directly on the piercing as much as possible but especially for the first few months.

Surface piercings: Depending on the placement, surface piercings can take approximately 4 months to fully heal. Because they are literally on the surface there is a higher chance that the body will reject the piercing and leave a scar, they require more attention and care. Try to avoid knocking them as much as possible. The chamomile soak is definitely recommended to aid the healing.