Black Lotus
Piercing Aftercare

1. Remove bandage in 1 to 2 hours. Do not rebandage.
2. Wash tattoo immediately after removal of bandage with mild soap and lukewarm awter.
3. Apply a very thin coat of A&D, bacitracin or Tattoo Goo 3 to 5 times daily after each wash.
4. Do not pick or scratch your fresh tattoo.
5. To To avoid infection, keep your tattoo away from dirt and dusk.
6. Avoid direct sun and water contact on your new tattoo.
7. After your tatoo has healed, apply sunblock with a 30 spf rating or higher when exposed to UV rays (i.e. sun, tanning booth, etc.)

External Piercing:
Nostril, Septum, Ear, Navel, Eyebrow, and Nipple

Apply warm water and antibacterial soap to a Q-tip to remove any crusty matter. Once the crust is completely removed, apply saline solution to the piercing while moving the jewelry through it. Repeat this at least three (3) times a day; make sure to clean the piercing both in the morning and at the end of the night.

Navel:
Navel piercings are the most difficult and require the most time to heal. Even with perfect aftercare, a few navel piercings never heal satisfactorily and/or they “grow out” (the natural replacement of skin forces the jewelry to the surface, rather than accepting it as part of the body). A well treated navel piercing takes a minimum of eight to twelve (8-12) months to heal, although the outside may appear to be fully healed sooner. You must make sure to keep up with aftercare properly for the duration of the healing process.

Many people find their navel piecings have a tendency to flare up (redness, minor discharge) long after the initial piercing. Treat flare-ups like a new piercing for the first three to seven (3-7) days. One of the most important factors in the healing process is to avoid close-fitting clothes over the piercing for at least six (6) months (although longer is recommended). Be sure the waistband of pants, skirts, ect. fall below the navel so they don’t press against the jewelry. Avoid wearing tight items such as belts, aprons, bodysuits, pantyhose, ect. Tight clothing may result in scar tissue so prevention is crucial. Curved barbells tend to cause fewer clothing related problems than a captive bead ring or circular barbell. Regardless, you must try to avoid tight clothing over the new piercing.

If the navel piercing “grows out” you can re-pierce the navel (usually in the same location). Many people who reject the initial piercing find that it will eventually be accepted when done using more tissue. Scrub jewelry well and store in a dry, safe place.

Healing time varies with body type; heavier individuals tend to bleed more and longer than those who are thin due to the greater amount of capillaries serving the tissue. Don’t be shy to bring up any concerns you have regarding your piercing.

Navel Piercings and Pregnancy:
If you are already pregnant, we will not do a navel piercing on you. Those piercings take so long to heal, that the jewelry would be pushed out during the pregnancy, resulting in an unattractive piercing with oversized holes. If you become pregnant during the healing process, remove the jewelry promptly to prevent distortion. You should wait six to twelve (6-12) months after delivery to re-pierce. In general, you body’s willingness to retain piercings and the amount of physical growth of the abdomen, determines whether a piercing can be kept.

Oral Piercings:
Tongue
Clean mouth with full strength Listerine or a 50/50 solution of Listerine and water for the next two and a half (2 ½) weeks (especially after eating, drinking, smoking, ect.) Along with the Listerine cleaning, you must apply Glyoxide twice (2) a day, using a few drops on the top and bottom of your tongue piercing. Let the Glyoxide fizz and then rinse your mouth. DO NOT SWALLOW ANYTHING USED TO CLEAN YOUR TONGUE. Brushing after every meal will help to keep your mouth, and tongue piercing clean.

Discomfort during the first two to four (2-4) days is common. Soft, bland foods are the most comfortable for people during the first week. Spicy, acidic, or hot foods are most likely to be uncomfortable to consume, along with sodas and alcohol. Most people can eat whatever they want after the first seven to ten (7-10) days. Trying to eat solid foods too soon, especially spicy and/or hard foods, may damage the piercing.

Check the ball(s) regularly to make sure they are tight. Be sure to use a latex barrier between your mouth and anyone else’s bodily fluids until the piercing has completely healed (6-8 weeks). Avoid oral sex for at least two (2) weeks. Also, avoid pulling on the barbell until the piercing is fully healed.

General: Mouth piercings cause the surrounding tissue to swell during the first 2-3 days; swelling time varies depending on your aftercare regimen. DO NOT REMOVE THE JELWERY. The discomfort is temporary but there will be much more discomfort if you have to re-insert the jewelry. Commonly with tongue piercings, you may not be able to speak clearly. Try to schedule your piercing for a time when you have a day or two off from school or work. The more you talk, the longer the swelling will last. *Cold liquids (ex. milkshakes) and crushed ice will help to reduce swelling.

The jewelry is sized to allow for swelling. Many people find the piercing may be uncomfortable after the swelling disappers. If the jewelry feels loose after the swelling goes away, you may replace it with a shorter barbell after the piercing is healed. Be aware of the type of metal and allergies. Do not replace jewelry with any items that are not specifically for mouth piercings.

NOTE: Mouth pericings tend to close very quickly if the jewelry is removed. This can be as quick as twenty (20) minutes even for well-aged piercings. When you removed jewelry for cleaning, make sure to replace it promptly. If the piercing closes, it must be re-pierced and you must go through the healing process again. If the jewelry must be removed (ex. dental appointment), call us for advice.

Lips, Cheeks and Labret Piercings:
These piercing require both external and oral aftercare instructions. You must clean the outside of the piercing with antibacterial soap and warm water. Next, apply the saline solution with a Q-tip, as according to the external piercing instructions. The part of the piercing on the inside of the mouth must be cleaned with full strength Listerine or the 50/50 Listerine and water solution, as well as the Glyoxide. YOU MUST CLEAN THE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE PIERCING FOLLOWING THE PROPER INSTRUCTIONS.

Infections:
While infections are infrequent, if one should occur, call us as soon as possible. Simply removing the jewelry may not stop the infection; this may make it worst by eliminating an adequate passage for the discharge to escape.
Some people may believe that at the end of the healing period they can remove their jewelry. This is a common misconception because re-inserting jewelry may be difficult if it taken out for an extended period of time. Ear, nostril, and septum piercings should be left in at all times for the first six (6) months; for all other piercings, at least on year. Even the piercing has healed, additional time is required for the piercing to ‘toughen up”.
Be sure to protect piercings from others. Many people may be drawn to touch or pull on your new piercing. Remember there is only a thin layer of skin holding your piercing in place. It takes very little effort to pull out a piercing and possibly rip the surrounding tissue.

Important: Never take antibiotics prescribed to someone else. If you need to go to the doctors, don’t be embarrassed. Infections can be serious and result in permanent damages to the piercing and/or your health.

Washing Barbells:
Follow normal aftercare procedures for rings. For barbells, wash one end of the bar and then “gather” the skin to that side. Wash the exposed portion of the bar. Slide the skin over the clean section, gathering it against the clean ball. Wash the second half of the bar. Repeat this process to rinse. For the first week, it may be difficult to push the skin over far enough to clean the entire length of the bar. With time, the piercing will get looser and easier to wash.

                                                                                                                                                                                   
Your new piercing was performed with great care to ensure cleanliness and a quick healing period. It is up to you to perform aftercare exactly as directed. The quality of aftercare greatly affects the healing period. Problems with properly cared for piercings are rare, but if you have a concern or question, feel free to call us. In case of serious infections, contact your physician.