Piercing AFTERCARE
Congratulations on your new piercing! At HSTC, we understand that your piercing is a form of personal expression, so we want to ensure your piercing heals properly and looks great for years to come!
Aftercare is the process of taking care of your piercing after you leave the shop. It is essential to care for your piercing appropriately. Proper aftercare can help to prevent infection, reduce the risk of scarring, and ensure that your piercing heals well. Without proper care, your piercing can become infected, which can lead to a variety of complications.
CLEANING SOLUTIONS:
The only thing that you should use to clean your fresh piercing is packaged, sterile saline. We recommend products similar to contact lens solution, eye drops and other saline products should be avoided. If you’d like to purchase products meant for piercing aftercare, you can find a list of our favorite aftercare products on our home page.
Please note that making your own sea salt solution often results in the product being far too salty and strong, which can dry out your piercing and interfere with healing.
HOW TO CLEAN:
Always wash and dry your hands thoroughly before cleaning your piercing. Clean your piercing with saline-saturated cotton buds, ensuring the cotton buds are thoroughly saturated to prevent the fibers getting caught on jewelry.
Oral piercings should be cleaned in the same way, however, internal oral piercings (such as tongue piercings) require a rinse with alcohol free mouthwash twice a day. Rinse additionally after eating or smoking.
WHAT TO AVOID:
Avoid cleaning with alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, antibacterial soaps, iodine.
Once healed, solutions should be avoided.
Avoid submerging your fresh piercing in bodies of water that facilitate bacteria, such as pools, hot tubs and lakes.
Avoid sleeping on your piercing. Pressure can cause bumps, and possibly a shift in the piercings angle.
For oral piercings: Try and avoid smoking/vaping, chewing gum, and alcohol. Try to avoid biting your nails and other oral fixations you may have during the healing process. We recommend staying away from spicy foods, lemon/lime juice, and excessive salt.