Aftercare Guide | Mystique Piercing Boutique

AFTERCARE & TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE

Taking care of a new piercing is the most important factor during the entire duration of the healing process.

When you are pierced with us we will provide you with written digital information on how to clean and care for your piercing, depending on the body placement you have chosen as well as verbally during your appointment.

We have all of the tools you will need including do's, do not's, and what to be aware of.

We have various sizes of aftercare kits to purchase in store, dependant on the piercing(s) you have, and duration of healing to be expected.

Our kits are available to purchase for everyone, whether you've been pierced by us or not.

Here we will explain how best to care for your new piercing. Please follow these instructions diligently. This information has been carefully tailored by the piercing industry following many years of research, and has been a proven method for successful healing.

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When a fresh piercing is performed the body sometimes may have a delayed reaction for the first day. It is perfectly normal to experience swelling the day after if you did not already.

Slight bleeding, swelling, redness, tenderness, and bruising of the area is normal after you have had a piercing and is to be expected initially.

During the healing process your body may secrete a white/ yellow-ish liquid that forms a crust around the piercing site. This is very normal and is not pus. This is called “lymph” and is a natural part of the body’s healing process.

1. Wash and dry your hands thoroughly before cleaning your piercing. This is the only time you should touch your piercing, if possible.

2. Using your sterile saline solution, soak a piece of non-woven gauze or a disposable paper towel. Apply the saline soaked tissue or gauze around the piercing and jewellery. Use this as a compress for up to five minutes (or longer if needed) to soak off all dry matter and build up that has formed in the area and on the jewellery.

3. Wipe the area and jewellery completely clean.

4. Using a fresh piece of gauze or paper towel, gently pat everything dry.

5. You should clean your piercing twice a day. Once in the morning, and once in the evening

There is no need to twist or turn your jewellery during the healing process. This is advice that stems from the gun piercing era, and is now known to be a detriment to the healing process.

Avoid playing with, touching, and letting anyone else touch your piercing with unwashed hands. This can lead to contamination and infection.

Any form of cotton wool, or cotton-based products for cleaning your piercing. They can leave fibres behind that can attach to the jewellery, which can harbour bacteria and can cause irritation.

Do not clean your piercing with soap, anti-septic (TCP, Dettol, hydrogen peroxide, alcohol), or any harsh chemicals including “natural” products, creams or oils (tea tree, chamomile etc).

Do not pick, or scratch at your piercing. If you have excessive build up of dry matter and bodily liquids on your piercing, you can increase your cleanings to three times a day. No more than three times a day is recommended. Over cleaning can cause irritation and prolong the healing process.

Avoid applying make-up and cosmetics directly on your piercing.

Avoid swimming for the first 4-6 weeks completely. Swimming pools, and natural bodies of water contain harsh chemicals and/or bacteria that can lead to irritation or infection.

Try not to sleep on your piercing during the healing time. This can lead to migration of the piercing.

Keep your piercing out of direct sunlight. Sunburn can cause excessive swelling and irritation.

Travel pillows can be used when sleeping to avoid laying on your healing piercing.

Be careful when showering and drying yourself after. We recommend avoiding “shower puffs” as they can easily catch or snag piercing jewellery. Instead try using sponges.

A healthy body will always be more efficient at healing your piercings. Try to maintain a healthy lifestyle for the best possible results.

Keep your pets away from your fresh piercings. Although we have our own fur babies here at Mystique, we know that they can pose potential risks of contamination or catching accidents.

When it comes to piercings, most of the time issues that arise are not due to infection – you may be experiencing an irritation. These are always treatable and not permanent. If you have any concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.

Below we will tell you the different signs of both irritations, and infections and what to look out for. If you think you may have an infection, please reach out to your doctor, or a medical professional as soon as possible.

Irritational Bumps

Irritation bumps can occur due to various reasons. They are the body’s way of cushioning the area that is trying to heal when consistent pressure is applied, or it is being irritated by external sources.

Here are some reasons that could contribute to irritation bumps:

Initial swelling has reduced, and the post used to pierce now needs to be shortened.
Sleeping on your piercing.
Cleaning with cotton wool.
Cleaning with harsh chemicals.
Catching or snagging accidents.

Infection

Infections can occur due to contamination. They are usually progress quickly once they occur. Here are some of the things to look out for:

Redness
Soreness and pain
Extreme swelling
Fever
Area is hot to the touch
Brown, reddish liquid coming from the area.

When caring for lip piercings, use a combination of the steps for body piercings on the external area, and oral piercing care for the internal area.

It’s advised to avoid smoking, alcohol, and spicy or acidic foods for the first 48 hours, and as long as possible.

Use anti-bacterial alcohol-free mouthwash to rinse the mouth for 30 seconds to a minute in the mornings, after eating or drinking anything (except water), and in the evening during the entire healing process (4-5 times a day).

Please avoid any activities that could result in other people’s bodily fluids entering your mouth, including sharing food or beverages.

WHAT TO AVOID

Please avoid playing with, touching, and letting anyone else touch your piercing with unwashed hands. This can lead to contamination and infection.
Any form of cotton wool, or cotton-based products for cleaning your piercing. They can leave fibres behind that can attach to the jewellery, which can harbour bacteria and can cause irritation.
Do not clean your piercing with soap, anti-septic (TCP, Dettol, hydrogen peroxide, alcohol), or any harsh chemicals including “natural” products, creams or oils (tea tree, chamomile etc).
Do not pick, or scratch at your piercing. If you have excessive build up of dry matter and bodily liquids on your piercing, you can increase your cleanings to three times a day. No more than three times a day is recommended. Over cleaning can cause irritation and prolong the healing process.
Avoid applying make-up and cosmetics directly on your piercing.
Avoid swimming for the first 4-6 weeks completely. Swimming pools, and natural bodies of water contain harsh chemicals and/or bacteria that can lead to irritation or infection.
Try not to sleep on your piercing during the healing time. This can lead to migration of the piercing.
Keep your piercing out of direct sunlight. Sunburn can cause excessive swelling and irritation.

TIPS

Travel pillows can be used when sleeping to avoid laying on your healing piercing.
Be careful when showering and drying yourself after. We recommend avoiding “shower puffs” as they can easily catch or snag piercing jewellery. Instead try using sponges.
A healthy body will always be more efficient at healing your piercings. Try to maintain a healthy lifestyle for the best possible results.
Keep your pets away from your fresh piercings. Although we have our own fur babies here at Mystique, we know that they can pose potential risks of contamination or catching accidents.