Piercing Aftercare

Little Pricks Tattoo Body Piercing Aftercare Instructions

Congratulations on your new body piercing! You’ve just been pierced by a skilled and knowledgeable professional at Little Pricks Tattoo. Your piercer ensured the area was thoroughly cleaned and used sterilized needles, instruments, and jewelry. Now it’s your turn to ensure your piercing heals properly!

Remember: only touch your piercing when you are actively cleaning it. Avoid changing the jewelry until your piercing is fully healed.

Healing Times:

Oral Piercings (tongue, lips, labrets): 6–8 weeks
Facial Piercings: 6–8 weeks
Nipple Piercings: 6–9 months
Ear Lobe Piercings: 6–8 weeks
Navel and Ear Cartilage Piercings: 6 months–1 year
Nostril and Septum Piercings: 3–4 months
Dermal Piercings: 2–4 months
Genital Piercings: 6–8 weeks

Little Pricks Tattoo recommends using sea salt soaks, warm compresses, or mild fragrance-free soap to clean your piercing. Additionally, you can use H2Ocean Piercing Aftercare products as an alternative to sea salt soaks.

Sea Salt Soaks:

Sea salt soaks promote healing by stimulating circulation. Use them 2–4 times daily.

Dissolve ¼ teaspoon of sea salt in 6 oz of warm distilled water. Avoid stronger solutions, as too much salt can irritate your piercing.
Invert a cup over the piercing to create a seal and soak the area until the solution cools. Follow with a rinse of clean, fresh water.
For larger batches, mix 1 teaspoon of sea salt per quart of distilled water. Always dry the area with a new paper towel—avoid cloth towels, as they harbor bacteria.

Hot Compress:

For piercings better suited to compresses:

Prepare the sea salt solution as described above.
Soak a new paper towel in the solution and apply it to the piercing.
Use the compress to loosen any crusted material, and remove any remaining debris with a clean cotton swab.
Rinse with fresh water afterward.

Alternatively, use H2Ocean Piercing Aftercare Spray for a quick and effective cleaning option.

Oral Piercings (tongue, lips, labrets, etc.):

Swelling is normal for the first 2–10 days. Reduce swelling with cold fluids and over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication. Avoid hot or spicy foods and replace your toothbrush to prevent bacteria.

Internal Cleaning: Rinse with H2Ocean Oral Rinse, warm sea salt water, or alcohol-free mouthwash after eating, drinking, or smoking. Avoid alcohol-based mouthwashes, as they are too harsh and can disrupt your mouth’s natural healing enzymes.
External Cleaning: Clean the area 2–4 times daily with H2Ocean Piercing Spray, sea salt soaks, or fragrance-free soap. Use a cotton swab to remove buildup from the jewelry, and rinse with fresh water.

Ears, Facial, Torso, and Dermal Piercings:

(earlobes, eyebrows, ear cartilage, nipples, navels, etc.)

Wash your hands thoroughly with antibacterial soap before touching your piercing.
Clean 2–4 times daily using H2Ocean Piercing Spray, sea salt soaks, or fragrance-free soap.
Remove crusted material with a cotton swab.
Rinse with fresh water and pat dry with a new paper towel.

Important: Ear cartilage piercings can lead to serious complications if infected. Consult your piercer immediately if you suspect an issue.

Nostril and Septum Piercings:

Clean the inside of your nose with H2Ocean Piercing Spray or warm sea salt water. Use a dampened cotton swab to remove crusted material.
For the outside, clean with H2Ocean Piercing Spray or a sea salt compress.

Genital Piercings:

Wash with mild soap and water, followed by H2Ocean Piercing Spray or a sea salt compress. Avoid sexual activity during the healing process. If you cannot refrain, always use protection and avoid all bodily fluid contact until the piercing is fully healed.

Tips for Healing:

Shower daily, maintain a healthy diet, and keep yourself hydrated to support the healing process.
Clean your piercing 2–4 times daily.
Check your jewelry regularly to ensure beads and threaded ends are tight.
Change your sheets frequently to minimize bacterial exposure.
Contact your piercer with any questions or concerns.

Things to Avoid:

Avoid pools, hot tubs, lakes, and oceans until your piercing has healed.
Don’t wear tight clothing that might irritate the piercing.
Do not twist or turn the jewelry unnecessarily.
Avoid using iodine-based cleansers, hydrogen peroxide, alcohol, or any other harsh chemicals not recommended by your piercer.

Important: Do not remove jewelry from an unhealed piercing, as it may close up. Only allow a professional to change the jewelry until you are confident the piercing has fully healed.

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