PIERCING Aftercare

Proper aftercare is one of the most important parts of a successful piercing experience. While getting pierced takes just a moment, the healing process is ongoing and requires patience, consistency, and care. Following the right aftercare routine helps prevent irritation, infection, and complications—giving your new piercing the best chance to heal smoothly and beautifully.

  1. Always wash your hands before cleaning!
  2. Use a gentle wound wash saline spray 1-2x per day to rinse/irrigate the piercing site. (NOT contact lens saline)
  3. Gently wipe any access crusty discharge away with non woven gauze or paper towel soaked in saline.
  4. Dry the off area with paper towel or non woven gauze. (Excess moisture may lead to complications)
  5. A daily shower to rinse off the piercing will help loosen any hardened discharge and crusty matter from the area. Following the shower a saline rinse and gentle dry off is ideal. 
  6. Healthy bodies = Healthy piercings! Drink lots of water and get plenty of rest!
  7. Problems or Questions? Stop in for a consult with one of our piercers. We are always happy to help troubleshoot any healing issues.

THINGS TO AVOID:

  1. Avoid sleeping on your fresh piercing. (If you are a side sleeper we suggest using a travel pillow + sleeping with your ear protected in the neck hole)
  2. Avoid makeup, harsh facial cleansers & hair dye directly in/on the piercing.
  3. Avoid swimming for the first 4 months to prevent infection or other healing complications.
  4. Avoid harsh cleaning products such as alcohol, peroxide, bactine, Neosporin, tea tree oil, etc.

WHAT TO EXPECT:

  1. Days 1-7: some minor bleeding, tenderness, bruising or swelling.
  2. Week 2-4: swelling may intensify, you will begin to see white yellow discharge 
  3. Week 4-6: swelling will begin to subside & we suggest stopping in for a check-up around this time to see if any adjustments need to be made to your jewelry.

Tips On Healing Piercings:

1. Stick to Saline Soaks: Clean your piercing 1–2 times daily with sterile saline or a piercing-specific aftercare spray. Avoid alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or harsh soaps. Identity has saline spray available for purchase in our studios and online.
 
2. Hands Off!: Don’t touch or twist your jewelry unless you’re cleaning it. Dirty hands introduce bacteria and increase healing time.
 
3. Sleep Smart: Avoid sleeping on your new piercing. Use a travel pillow or sleep on your back to minimize pressure and irritation. Change bedding and pillow cases often. Identity has airplane pillows available for purchase online and in our studios. 
 
4. Watch for Snags: Be careful with clothing, towels, and hair. Snagging your jewelry can delay healing or even cause injury. We often provide fresh piercings with a longer backing to accommodate swelling. As your piercing heals and swelling goes down, your initial jewelry becomes too long. Downsizing helps prevent irritation, shifting, and snags–keeping your piercing happy and healing beautifully!
 
5. Be Patient: Healing takes time! Cartilage piercings can take 6–12 months to fully heal. Stick with your original jewelry and follow aftercare the whole way through.
 
6. Secure Jewelry: It’s important to regularly check that your jewelry is tightened and secure—especially with new piercings—to prevent accidental loss or trauma. A loose end can fall out without you noticing, which may cause the piercing to close or become irritated.
 
If you ever need assistance with your piercings, we encourage you to visit one of our studios in Chicago. During your visit, our experienced professionals will provide an in-depth evaluation and helpful tips on aftercare. No appointment needed. We accept walk-in everyday from 12pm – 8pm.
 

WHY DOWNSIZE?

We start piercings with jewelry a little longer or larger to accommodate the initial swelling and to help with the cleaning process. Once you are farther into the healing process, a shorter or smaller jewelry piece is recommended to prevent snagging and sleeping on it. If jewelry isn’t downsized, this can lead to piercings drifting or healing on an angle. After about 4-6 weeks we recommend stopping in for a check up with one of our piercers! Jewelry fees apply.
 

TYPES OF JEWELRY WE USE:

We only pierce with high-quality implant-grade titanium or solid 14k-18k gold to ensure the safest, healthiest healing process possible. These materials are biocompatible, meaning they’re less likely to cause irritation or allergic reactions. Unlike other metals, they won’t tarnish, corrode, or flake inside your piercing—just safe, reliable, beautiful jewelry from day one. Your body deserves the best!

Threadless and threaded jewelry are two secure, professional-grade styles used in body piercings. Both styles are designed for durability and comfort, and your piercer will help choose the best option for your anatomy and piercing placement.

  1. Threadless jewelry: Uses tension to stay in place—a small pin on the decorative end is slightly bent and pressed into a hollow post, creating a snug, secure fit without any twisting. Pulls apart, the gem end on the front of your jewelry is removable.
  2. Threaded Jewelry: Screws together—with internal threads (where the decorative end screws into the post). One or both sides unscrew.
  3. Clicker: Hinge and clasp unclick
  4. Captive Bead Ring: The bead in the center is removable

ORAL PIERCINGS TIPS

Swelling from oral piercings can be reduced with drinking ice water and elevating your head while sleeping. Additionally, avoiding other bodily fluids from getting into the fresh piercing is ideal for the healing process.