Information about aftercare and healing
Information on piercings
When you are planning to get a piercing, the Public Health Authority (GGD) decided it’s important to inform you about several risks. The act of piercing is a skin-piercing act. By working properly and safely, and using the right equipment, we prevent you getting infected by a blood-transmitted disease, such as Hepatitis B and C. In addition, if the piercer (or the customer!) acts inaccurate or unhygienic, infections can be caused, which will not be any good to your new piercing. When you are below the age of 16, a piercing is only permitted if you take a parent or legal guardian with you. Before you are pierced, we ask you to fill in a declaration form. On this form are several questions about for example your health. Filling in this form is for your own safety. If you don’t want to fill in a form, we will not pierce. If you are 15 years or younger, your guardian must fill in the form with you and sign the form. The declaration form stays at the shop and is completely confidential.
The application of a piercing
For the application of a piercing, the piercer cleans and disinfects your skin. Applying a piercing has to be done in a sterile environment. This means: The needle and jewellery going through your skin, have to come out of a sterile wrapping and can not be touched with bare hands. The piercer wears rubber gloves, which will be disinfected with alcohol (70-80%) right before you will be pierced. Placing a piercing can hurt for a bit. It is prohibited though, to anaesthetize without the consent of a doctor.
Taking care of a piercing
You can compare a fresh piercing with a deep cut in your skin. It is very important to take good care of it. Your piercer will give you information, both personally and as an instruction. In this instruction you should read about how to take care of the piercing and to come back to the shop if you are having troubles with the piercing. Read through this carefully and make sure you follow these instructions. Even if you got your piercing elsewhere, we are happy to help you if you have problems.
Naturally, the wound that you now have needs time and care to heal. Healing can sometimes take up a long time (four weeks to nine months). Some people develop scar tissue when they get a piercing. In addition, the piercing can heal in an ugly way when the piercing has been infected. Some piercings are very new, so we do not know how they will ‘behave’ as you (and the piercing) get(s) older.
Health
If you suffer from any of these complaints or diseases, the Public Health Authority (GGD) advises against you getting pierced:
- Diabetes
- Hematologic Disorder
- Sensitivity to any kinds of metal
- Immune disorders
- Heart- and vascular disorders
- Use of anticoagulants
- On places you’ve had surgery or radio-therapy
- On places of your body where there are bumps, dark spots, swelling or any other forms of skin irritation.
Make sure you are well rested, have eaten properly and tell our piercer anything that might be of importance when you come into the shop to get a piercing (do you use medicine, have allergies, epilepsy?) During the application of a piercing you can not be under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.
Aftercare for piercings
The time that it takes for a piercing to heal depends on the piercing (see below) and can differ from person to person. General health and physical condition play a part in this process. Personal hygiene is an absolute necessity during the time of healing. Right after piercing, the ‘wound’ can get red and swollen. If the jewellery put in during the piercing is too small, there is a bigger chance of infections and complications. During the healing process, the jewellery should have enough space and never be too tight or loose. The piercing should be considered a wound and be treated that way.
Please follow these rules for s quick and best possible healing process of your piercing:
- Avoid touching the piercing with bare hands.
- Wash the piercing and surrounding skin twice a day with a mild, perfume-free soap during the healing process.
- Carefully dry the piercing and skin with a clean towel. Make sure it is completely dry.
- When you are not in the shower, try to keep the piercing as dry as possible.
- Do not put ointment (Purol, Vaseline) on the wound! This keeps the skin from ‘breathing’.
- Do not put desinfectans like Sterilon or Betadine on the wound.
- Do not wear bandages on the piercing, except when it is shortly needed during sport activities.
- Do not wear tight or dirty clothes when you have a body piercing (e.g. belly button)
- Avoid contact with swimming water, either from a pool or natural water. Also do not use saunas or steam baths during the healing process.
- Never remove the jewellery yourself. When you experience extreme redness, swelling, pus, bleeding or change of color, always contact us as soon as possible!
Specific instructions for oral piercings
- A tongue or lip piercing deserves some extra attention after eating, drinking and smoking and after any other oral contact. Regularly brush your teeth and keep your mouth free of plaque by using a toothpaste based on a salt solution. If necessary, you can rinse with a chlorahexidine solution.
- Avoid kissing and other oral contact during the healing process.
- If you prefer the extensive aftercare procedures we offer at the shop, you can download the PDF-document on piercings.
How long will my piercing take to heal?
Every piercing has a different healing period, the times given below are only indications. Quicker than the first time given only rarely happens. Of course you might not feel anything anymore, but this does not mean your piercing is healed! If it takes longer than the last time given below, come by the shop for some tips to help your piercing heal faster.
Ears
|
Tragus |
2 – 4 months |
|
Upper cartilage |
2 – 3 months |
|
Lower cartilage (Conch) |
4 – 8 months |
|
Earlobe |
1 – 2 months |
|
Industrial |
2 – 3 months |
|
Orbital |
4 – 8 months |
Facial
|
Eyebrow (hor/vert) |
1 – 2 months |
|
Anti eyebrow |
2 – 4 months |
|
Temple eyebrow |
1 – 2 months |
|
Nose (ala nasi) |
2 – 4 months |
|
Septum |
4 – 8 months |
|
Madonna |
6 – 10 weeks |
|
Medusa |
6 – 10 weeks |
|
Labret |
6 – 10 weeks |
|
Lip (ring) |
6 – 10 weeks |
|
Tongue |
2 – 4 weeks |
|
Smiley |
2 – 4 weeks |
|
Scrumphey |
2 – 4 weeks |
Torso
|
Nipple |
3 – 6 months |
|
Micro dermals |
1 - 3 months |
|
Belly button |
3 – 6 months |
|
Surface Piercings |
6 – 10 months |
Intimate - Men
|
Pubic |
3 – 6 months |
|
Foreskin |
3 – 6 weeks |
|
Frenum |
3 – 6 weeks |
|
Hafada |
6 – 10 weeks |
|
Scrotum |
3 – 6 weeks |
|
Dydoe |
2 – 3 months |
|
Prince Albert |
4 – 8 weeks |
|
Apadravya |
3 – 6 months |
|
Ampallang |
3 – 6 months |
|
Quiche |
3 – 6 weeks |
Intimate - Women
|
Princess Christina |
3 – 6 months |
|
Clithood hor/vert |
2 – 4 weeks |
|
Inner Labia |
3 – 6 weeks |
|
Outer Labia |
4 – 8 weeks |
|
Fourchette |
3 – 6 weeks |
|
Quiche |
3 – 6 weeks |
The new piercing will usually be sensitive or even hurt a bit for a few days. After this period the pain should be gone. If this is not the case, please come back to the shop for advice. Do not remove the jewellery before you come back! During the healing process the jewellery should not be removed, unless you have an allergic reaction to the material. This is to prevent the piercing from healing closed and danger to infection.