What to Look For In a Studio:
- Is it clean?
- Are instruments and equipment sterilized?
- Does the artist wear a new pair of clean latex gloves for each client?
- Is the artist using a sterile, disposable needle?
Piercing should be done with a sterile needle only. A piercing gun can never be fully sterilized and may harbor bacteria.
Choosing Jewelry:
- Rings are best for ears and most other body piercings.
- Thickness of the jewelry is important to consider.
- Use only 316L or LVM surgical stainless steel, 14 or 18 karat solid gold, titanium or niobium.
- Use longer barbells for tongue piercing to allow for swelling.
Aftercare:
- Always make sure your hands are clean before touching your piercing.
- Don't pick at the normal secretions-soak the piercing with warm water to
- Soften any dried secretions
- Clean your piercing twice a day with antibacterial soap and rinse with warm water.
- Use paper towels to dry your piercing- cloth towels can trap bacteria
- Refrain from using alcohol or hydrogen on your piercing-this can interfere with new cell growth.
See a Doctor If You Notice the Following:
- Redness or swelling that is more than a quarter-inch from the site of the piercing
- Soreness
- Thick yellow or green discharge
- Continuous oozing or bleeding
- Heat at the site of piercing
- Red streaks coming from the piercing site.
Healing Times:
- Earlobe: 4-6 weeks
- Ear cartilage: 2 months of 1 year
- Tongue: 4-6 weeks
- Eyebrow: 6-8 weeks
- Nostril: 2-3 months
- Lip and lip area: 6-8 weeks
- Cheek: 2-3 months
- Nipple: 2-6 months
- Navel: 6 months to 1 year
- Most female genitalia: 4-8 weeks
- Most male genitalia: 3-6 months
Resources:
Association of Professional Piercers
http://www.safepiercing.org/app.html
e-mail: app@safepiercing.org
Piercing FAQ Web Page
(Source: Taking Care of Body Piercings)
