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A new piercing heals from the outside in, so it can look healed long before it really is. Good aftercare is simple: keep it clean, leave it alone, keep it out of pools and hot tubs, and know the signs that need a doctor.
This guide summarises advice from dermatology, public health and professional piercing sources. Always follow the aftercare instructions your piercer gives you, because they’re specific to your piercing and jewellery.
Wash your hands before touching your piercing.
Clean gently with the aftercare spray from your kit, or a sterile saline wound wash, or a mild fragrance-free cleanser and water.
Don’t twist or rotate the jewellery. Current guidance says it isn’t needed.
Avoid pools, hot tubs, lakes and the sea until it has healed.
Leave the jewellery in. Don’t remove it if you think it’s infected, unless a doctor tells you to.
Healing takes weeks to months, depending on the piercing.
Avoid: alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, antibacterial soaps, iodine and ointments, which professional piercing guidance says to skip. Homemade salt mixes are no longer recommended because they’re often too strong.
For mouth piercings, the NHS suggests rinsing with salt water or an alcohol-free mouthwash.
According to the Association of Professional Piercers, it’s normal to have:
A piercing can look healed on the outside while it’s still healing inside, so keep up your aftercare for the full healing time.
Cleveland Clinic, typical ranges. Cartilage heals more slowly because it has less blood supply.
The first weeksWash your hands, clean with the spray your piercer gave you, and leave the starter jewellery in, day and night.
The quiet monthsIt can look healed outside while it is still healing inside. Keep up the aftercare, and stay out of pools and the ocean until it has healed.
HealedOnly now change the jewellery, and ask your piercer first. Upgrades such as decorative ends or gold are available, and your piercer shows you the full price first.If in doubt, assume it takes longer and ask your piercer to check it.
Older medical sources list shorter times for some piercings, so if in doubt, assume it takes longer and ask your piercer to check it.
Keep a new piercing out of pools, hot tubs, lakes and the ocean until it has healed. That’s the advice from the Association of Professional Piercers, and Cleveland Clinic gives the same advice for ear piercings. The NHS mentions avoiding swimming for the first 24 hours, so advice varies, and the cautious approach is to wait until healed.
Travelling soon? Read travelling with a new tattoo or piercing.
The AAD advises keeping new ear piercing jewellery in for at least six weeks, day and night, so the hole doesn’t close.
The Association of Professional Piercers says moving or rotating jewellery during cleaning isn’t necessary, and Cleveland Clinic no longer recommends routine rotating.
Ask your piercer before changing jewellery, and don’t swap it before the piercing has healed.
Cleveland Clinic suggests hypoallergenic options such as titanium or 14K gold and avoiding nickel.
In Nova Scotia, the Safe Body Art Standard requires jewellery for new piercings to meet the Association of Professional Piercers’ jewellery standards. Tattoo Lab uses implant-grade titanium jewellery, included in every piercing price, with upgrades available such as decorative ends or gold. Your piercer shows you the full price first.
The NHS lists these signs of an infected piercing:
If you notice them, contact a doctor or pharmacist. Leave the jewellery in unless a doctor tells you to remove it, as removing it can trap infection. See a doctor or dermatologist too if the skin around the piercing becomes raised or thickened, which can be a sign of a keloid.
Tongue and lip piercings need extra care. A medical review in American Family Physician notes that swelling and chipped or cracked teeth are common problems with tongue piercings. Rinse after eating, be gentle with the jewellery when you eat and talk, and see your dentist if you notice tooth damage.
This guide is general information, not medical advice. Always follow your piercer’s aftercare instructions, and contact a doctor or pharmacist if you think your piercing is infected.
Wash your hands, then clean gently with the aftercare spray from your kit, or a sterile saline wound wash, or a mild fragrance-free cleanser and water. Rinse, pat dry with a clean paper towel and don’t pick at crusts. Always follow your piercer’s instructions.
Cleveland Clinic gives about 6–8 weeks for earlobes, about 6–12 months for cartilage, and 6–12 months for initial healing of belly button piercings. Healing varies.
Keep it out of pools, hot tubs, lakes and the ocean until it has healed. That’s the cautious advice from professional piercers and Cleveland Clinic.
No. Current guidance from the Association of Professional Piercers and Cleveland Clinic says rotating jewellery isn’t needed.
No, leave it in unless a doctor tells you to remove it, and contact a doctor or pharmacist about the infection.
Wait until the piercing has healed, and ask your piercer to check it first. Changing jewellery too early can irritate a healing piercing.
Implant-grade titanium jewellery and a premium aftercare package are included in every piercing price: $60 to $135, before tax. See all 28 prices, then call or text to book.
