Looking after your new piercing properly is just as important as the piercing itself. At Onpoint Studios, Chelmsford, we use sterile, single-use equipment and medical-grade titanium jewellery to keep you as safe as possible – but good aftercare at home is essential for a smooth heal.
This page covers aftercare for all the piercings we offer, including ear piercings, facial and nose piercings, oral piercings, body piercings and intimate piercings.
This information is general advice only and does not replace medical care. If you are worried about your piercing or think it may be infected, please speak to a medical professional or contact NHS 111.
General Aftercare – For All Piercings
These guidelines apply to every piercing, no matter where it is.
Step 1 – Clean hands
Always wash your hands with soap and warm water before you touch your piercing or your jewellery. Try not to let other people touch it while it is healing.
Step 2 – Clean the piercing
Clean the area once or twice a day using a sterile saline solution or piercing aftercare spray. Gently soak away any dried crust using a piece of sterile gauze or a clean cotton pad. Do not pick at the piercing or scratch the skin.
Step 3 – Rinse and dry
After cleaning or showering, rinse off any remaining product and pat the area dry using a disposable paper towel or sterile gauze. Avoid using shared towels or face cloths as these can carry bacteria.
Step 4 – Leave the jewellery alone
Do not remove or twist the jewellery while the piercing is healing. Leave it in place unless a professional tells you otherwise. Playing with the jewellery slows healing and can cause irritation.
Step 5 – Avoid harsh products
Keep alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, antiseptic creams, perfumed soaps, bubble bath, fake tan and make-up away from the piercing. Simple saline is usually all that is required.
Ear piercings (lobes and cartilage)
Ear lobe piercings usually heal quicker than cartilage piercings, but both need gentle care. Try not to sleep directly on the new piercing in the first few weeks and keep hair and hair products away from the area as much as possible. Take extra care when putting on headphones, glasses, hats, masks or helmets so they do not catch on the jewellery.
Approximate healing time: ear lobes 3–6 months, cartilage 6–12 months or longer.
Facial and nose piercings
Keep make-up, fake tan and heavy skincare products away from the piercing until it has healed. When you wash your face, cleanse around the piercing gently rather than scrubbing over it. Pat the area dry instead of rubbing with a towel. With nose piercings, be careful when using tissues and avoid pushing them directly onto the jewellery.
Approximate healing time: most nose, septum, eyebrow and lip piercings take around 3–9 months to heal.
Oral and lip piercings
For tongue, lip and inside-mouth piercings, rinse your mouth with an alcohol-free mouthwash or a mild saline mouth rinse after eating, drinking or smoking. The outside of the piercing can be cleaned with saline as normal.
In the first couple of weeks it helps to avoid very hot, spicy, acidic or crunchy foods. Try to reduce alcohol and smoking where possible, and avoid oral contact such as kissing or oral sex until the piercing is more settled.
Approximate healing time: tongue piercings usually take around 2–3 months, while lip and labret piercings often take 3–6 months.
Navel and surface piercings
Wear loose, comfortable clothing that does not rub over the piercing while it is healing. Avoid tight waistbands or high-rise clothing that sits directly on the area. Take care with bending, stretching and exercise so the jewellery does not get knocked.
It is best to avoid soaking in baths, hot tubs, swimming pools or natural water until healing is well underway, as these environments can introduce bacteria.
Approximate healing time: navel and surface piercings commonly take 9–12 months or longer.
Nipple piercings
Some tenderness and pressure are normal in the early stages. Many people find it more comfortable to wear a soft, supportive non-wired bra or crop top while healing. Choose breathable fabrics and avoid anything that rubs roughly across the piercing.
Clean the area gently with saline once or twice a day and dry it carefully. Follow any specific advice given by your piercer if a dressing was applied.
Approximate healing time: nipple piercings often take 9–12 months to fully heal.
Intimate and genital piercings
Intimate piercings need very good hygiene and a bit of extra patience. Wash hands thoroughly before touching the area and keep the piercing clean with saline once or twice a day, and after exercise or anything that causes sweating.
Wear clean, breathable cotton underwear and avoid very tight clothing. Do not use bubble bath, perfumed washes or scented products directly on the piercing. Avoid sexual activity that involves the area until your piercer confirms that early healing is stable; after that, use barrier protection and be gentle until it is fully healed.
Healing times vary widely, but many intimate piercings take somewhere between 3 and 9 months or more.
Dermals and surface anchors
A small dressing is often used for the first few days to protect a dermal piercing. Change this dressing regularly with clean hands and clean the area gently with saline when you do so. Take care not to knock or catch the jewellery on clothing, towels or hair, as trauma can cause the body to reject the piercing.
If you ever want a dermal removed, always return to the studio rather than attempting to remove it yourself.
Approximate healing time: usually 3–9 months, with ongoing care needed to avoid knocks.
Healing, warning signs and when to get help
During the first few weeks it is normal to see some redness, mild swelling, tenderness and clear or pale yellow fluid that dries as a light crust around the jewellery. Occasional minor bleeding can also happen in the very early stages.
You should seek medical advice, or contact NHS 111, if you notice any of the following: increasing redness that spreads away from the piercing, skin that feels very hot or is extremely painful, thick green or foul-smelling discharge, severe swelling that makes the jewellery feel too tight, or if you feel unwell with symptoms such as fever or chills. Any strong rash or sign of allergy should also be checked.
You are always welcome to contact the studio for reassurance or a check-up, but if you think there may be an infection, please speak to a healthcare professional as soon as possible.
Quick reminder: clean with saline once or twice a day, keep your hands clean, avoid twisting the jewellery, avoid harsh products and swimming in the early stages, and wear clothing that will not catch on your piercing.