CLEANING INSTRUCTIONS FOR BODY PIERCINGS

• Wash your hands thoroughly before cleaning your piercing.
• Spray NeilMed FineMist on the hole (front / back – top / bottom), wipe around with a cotton swab to remove any scabs it might make in the first     few days.
• You don’t touch it, you don’t touch it and you don’t move it. The jewel must stay as still as possible, especially in healing.
• Once healed and therefore deflated, consult with your piercer in case there is a need to reduce the size of the jewel.
• It is good practice even after healing to continue cleaning the piercing at least once a day.

FOR PARTICULAR AREAS

NAVEL

• A hard, vented eye patch (sold at pharmacies) can be applied under tight clothing (such as nylon stockings) or secured using a length of elastic bandage around the body (to avoid irritation from adhesive). This can protect the area from restrictive clothing, excess irritation, and impact during physical activities such as contact sports.

EAR/EAR CARTILAGE AND FACIAL

• Use the t-shirt trick: Dress your pillow in a large, clean t-shirt and turn it nightly; one clean t-shirt provides four clean surfaces for sleeping.
• Maintain cleanliness of telephones, headphones, eyeglasses, helmets, hats, and anything that contacts the pierced area.
• Use caution when styling your hair and advise your stylist of a new or healing piercing.

NIPPLES

• The support of a tight cotton shirt or sports bra may provide protection and feel comfortable, especially for sleeping.

GENITAL

• Genital Piercings – especially Triangles, Prince Alberts, Ampallangs, and Apadravyas – can bleed freely for the first few days. Be prepared. Additional cleaning after urination is not necessary.
•  Wash your hands before touching on (or near) a healing piercing.
•  In most cases you can engage in sexual activity as soon as you feel ready, but maintaining hygiene and avoiding trauma are vital; all sexual activities should be gentle during the healing period.
•  Use barriers such as condoms, dental dams, and waterproof bandages, etc. to avoid contact with your partners’ body fluids, even in long-term monogamous relationships.
•  Use clean, disposable barriers on sex toys.
•  Use a water-based lubricant; do not use saliva.
•  After sex, a further rinse with NeilMed is suggested.

SURFACE ANCHORS

•  These piercings require maintenance during their entire lifetime because matter can build up underneath the threaded top causing the piercing to become irritated. NeilMed and/or shower rinses may be helpful with removing matter from underneath the threaded top.
•  Avoid putting makeup on these piercings even after healing.
• Even with proper care, surface anchors may be less permanent than other body piercings.

CLEANING INSTRUCTIONS FOR INSIDE THE MOUTH

Rinse mouth as needed (4-5 times) daily with a cleaning solution for 30-60 seconds, after meals and at bedtime during the entire healing  period.When you over clean, it may cause discoloration or irritation of your mouth and piercing. NOT SMOKING.

WHAT TO DO TO HELP REDUCE SWELLING

• Allow small pieces of ice to dissolve in the mouth.
• Don’t speak or move your jewelry more than necessary.
• Sleep with your head elevated above your heart during the first few nights.

CLEANING INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE EXTERIOR OF LABRET (LIP) PIERCINGS

• Wash your hands thoroughly prior to cleaning or touching your piercing for any reason.
• NeilMed rinse as needed during healing. For certain placements it may be easier to apply using clean gauze saturated with saline solution. A brief rinse afterward will remove any residue.
• Dry by gently patting with clean, disposable paper products because cloth towels can harbor bacteria and snag on jewelry, causing injury.

WHAT TO AVOID

• Do not play with your jewelry. Long term effects include permanent damage to teeth, gums, and other oral structures.
• Avoid excessive talking or playing with the jewelry during healing can cause the formation of unsightly and uncomfortable scar tissue, migration, and other complications.
• Avoid using mouthwash containing alcohol. It can irritate the piercing and delay healing.
• Avoid oral sexual contact including French (wet) kissing or oral sex during healing (even with a long-term partner).
• Avoid chewing gum, tobacco, fingernails, pencils, sunglasses, etc.
• Avoid sharing plates, cups, and eating utensils.
• Avoid smoking! It increases risks and lengthens healing time.
• Avoid stress and all recreational drug use.
• Avoid aspirin, alcohol, and large amounts of caffeine as long as you are experiencing bleeding or swelling.
• Avoid submerging  piercings in  of water such as lakes, pools, etc.Each body is unique and healing times vary considerably. If you have any questions, please contact your piercer.

EATING

• Slowly eat small bites of food.
• Avoid eating spicy, salty, acidic, or hot temperature foods or beverages for a few days.
• Cold foods and beverages are soothing and help reduce swelling.
• Foods like mashed potatoes and oatmeal are hard to eat because they stick to your mouth and jewelry.
• For tongue piercing, try to keep your tongue level in your mouth as you eat because the jewelry can get between your teeth when your tongue turns.
• For labret (lip) piercings: be cautious about opening your mouth too wide as this can result in the jewelry catching on your teeth.

Each body is unique and healing times vary considerably. If you have any questions, please contact your piercer.