you should clean your piercing regularly, at least twice a day and sometimes more if you have exerted yourself (i.e. exercise) or if it is hot and you are perspiring/sweating throughout the day.

We recommend that you use ‘Savlon wound wash’ to clean your piercing.

Be attentive to the changes in your piercing. Catching signs of problems early on is the best time to deal with them quickly. It's also a good way of making sure that you're not over cleaning your piercing.

Once Your Piercing Has Healed

Once the piercing has healed, you will have an artificial tunnel inside your flesh. This is called a fistula and it also benefits from regular cleaning. Infections can often begin as bacterial growth inside the fistula, so flushing it with saline solution every three or four months (slightly more frequently in the summer months) can help inhibit the build up of germs and bacteria that lead to fungal infections or thrush. Some people's fistula close quite quickly once jewellery is removed so its best to have sterilised jewellery and cleaning solutions to hand so the job gets done quicker. Lubricate the tip, or the 'thread', of the jewellery with a water-based, antiseptic lubricant; approach your piercer, or doctor for suggestions.

Taking a bath soaks an abdominal piercing in bath-water, which gets dirty very quickly, and could clog a fresh piercing with nasty germs. A shower is preferable because it is a constant stream of fresh water, washing dirt, grime and germs away from your body. Swimming in chlorinated pools is likely to irritate your piercing so it's best avoided until the piercing has healed; though seawater is, technically, great for your skin, it would be wise to avoid bathing in beaches with a reputation for having high concentrations of pollutants.

Day To Day With Your Piercing

Your clothing can interfere with your piercing in a few ways. If an item of clothing fits too tightly over the area that is pierced, rubbing it, then the piercing becomes aggravated, inflamed and sore to the touch. It will produce a clear puss-like liquid and the skin around the piercing might be encouraged to reject the jewellery. If the clothing you wear is not loose enough to allow fresh air to enter and exit the area around the piercing then the area can overheat enough to allow germs and bacteria to develop and cause you problems. Bear in mind that the location of the piercing might suffer the stresses of everyday activities. People who have their navel pierced, for example, but do sit-ups regularly would be advised that this strenuous activity will aggravate the piercing. Another example might be a parcel courier with a nipple piercing might have to switch the side of the body they hang their bag from.

To give a piercing the best chance to heal you should consider the fact that your body requires certain nutrients and minerals to help it heal effectively. If you can honestly say that you eat a healthy diet then you are already providing your body with what it needs. If you don't eat healthily then it might be advisable to supplement you diet with Multivitamins and minerals which can be purchased at a chemist, a pharmacy or heath shop. The bottom line is; that a healthier person stands a better chance of healing more quickly than an unhealthy one.

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New Piercing Cleaning Routine

Q1. How much do body piercings usually cost? (E.g. navel, eyebrow, tongue.)

You will find that body piercings usually cost between £15 - £40.

Q2. What type of metal do you recommend to be pierced with?

We recommend Surgical steel or Titanium.

Q3. What do you find better for an initial piercing? B.C.R.'s, barbells or banana bars?

Barbells and banana bars have the benefit of sitting flatter against the body, therefore reducing the risk of catching or snagging the jewellery and aggravating the piercing. However, cleaning around the site of the entry and exit holes of your piercing may be a little trickier.
BCRs stick out more than barbells or bananabells making them more likely to catch or snag and aggravate your piercing. However, it is often easier to clean around the entry and exit points of your piercing.
Typically, either a ring or bar can be used to pierce with.
Discuss the pros and cons with your piercer before selecting a piece to be pierced with.

Q4. How long does a piercing take to heal?

Healing times will vary from person to person. All sorts of things can increase the healing but a good choice of metal (i.e. Titanium), good and careful aftercare as well as a zinc supplement will help reduce your healing time. But, please remember, you and your body MUST work together to make a piercing successful.
With nipple and navel piercings, you have to be extra careful as they are constantly under clothes. This will cause the piercing to become hot and sticky (a perfect breeding ground for germs).

Avergage healing times are as follows:
Cartilage: Three to six months
Nipples / Navels: Three to six months
Facial: Within three months

Q5. What should a body piercing studio look like and what should it contain?

Obviously a body piercing studio should be clean. It should have an examination bed, clinical waste bin, sharp`s bin (disposing the needles once they have been used), an autoclave unit to sterilise equipment and jewellery. After sterilisation, clamps should be kept in sterile pouches while waiting to be used. All piercers must wear surgical or examination gloves.

Q6. What should I use to clean my piercing?

Your body piercer will advice you on aftercare.
We recommend using ‘Savlon wound wash’ as you just spray it on and it works its magic!
Give your piercing a good clean with a cotton wool bud every now and again. Disinfectants are often too strong or harsh to clean a healthy piercing with and sometimes cause aggravation.
If you suspect you have an infection you should feel free to consult your piercer and G.P. A zinc supplement will often help boost your immune system, helping your body heal itself.

Q7. I really want a piercing but I'm terrified of getting infected. How can I prevent this?

Infections are prevented with proper care and attention to your piercing.  But even Titanium won't stop you getting an infection if your piercing is always being aggravated or rarely cleaned.

Q8. Can gold be used to pierce with?

You can now get nickel free 9ct gold. This is perfectly OK to be pierced with.
MAKE SURE YOU'RE NOT ALLERGIC TO THE METAL YOU HAVE CHOSEN.

Q9. I have a lump just by the bottom hole of my navel. What is this and how do I get rid of it?

The lump is possibly scar tissue or dirt trapped by the skin. A hot salt-water press can help draw out anything trapped in the lump or reduce scar tissue.

HOT SALT WATER PRESS: Boil water with a small amount of sea salt. Allow the mix to cool a little. Dip a clean cloth into the hot salt water and press against your piercing for 10 minutes or until the cloth is cools. You probably only need to do this once a day.

Q10. I'm pregnant. Do I have to take my navel piercing out?

You will have to change your piercing to a P.T.F.E. This is a biologically inert plastic barbell, which will bend as your stomach expands. If you do keep your metal jewellery in, it will be pushed out as your belly gets larger.

Q11. I've just started a new job and my employers don't appreciate my piercing in the same way as I. How can I make it discreet?

There is a range of 'keepers' which are clear plastic and very small. These fit into the piercing (e.g. tongue) and can only be noticed by you.

Q12. Will it hurt?

Piercings sting, like a quick jab. Being prepared and calm is paramount. Eat well beforehand and bring a sugary drink with you.
This will counter balance the effects of shock as most people work themselves up expecting a serious amount of pain and finding it so easy after the piercing, tend to go into shock.

Q13. Will my clothes affect my piercing?

Speak to your body piercer if you have any doubts. It's common sense to wear low-cut or casual trousers after a navel piercing for example, or a loose cotton T-shirt for nipple piercings.

Q14. My friend's piercing hasn't done any of the stuff mine did. Why?

Biologically, everyone differs, so what happens to one person after a piercing may not necessarily happen to another.

FAQs