POST PIERCING CARE INSTRUCTIONS
What to expect after a new piercing
It is normal to have some bleeding and bruising around the area right after a new piercing. During healing, you may notice a whitish-yellow discharge forming around the jewellery. This is a normal part of the healing process, not a sign of infection on its own.
A piercing can look healed on the outside before the tissue underneath is fully healed. The skin heals faster than the deeper tissue, so keep following your aftercare routine for the full healing period even once the surface looks fine.
If you remove your jewellery, especially early on or after long-term wear, the opening can start to shrink and close within a few hours to a few days. This varies by person and by piercing location. If you plan to leave a piercing empty for any length of time, ask a professional piercer about the risk for your specific piercing first.
Day-to-day care
Try to avoid touching a healing piercing except when cleaning it.
Change your pillowcase daily for the first 10 days to reduce contact with bacteria.
Keep pets away from the pierced area for at least the first 10 days.
What to avoid
Skip antibiotic ointments unless a healthcare provider or piercer recommends one for you. Ointments can trap bacteria and slow healing by blocking air circulation.
Avoid cleaning products that contain alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or triclosan. These can dry out and irritate the tissue.
Stick to the cleaning routine recommended for your piercing. Over-cleaning can irritate the area and slow healing just as much as under-cleaning.
Avoid pools, hot tubs, and other shared or untreated water sources while the piercing is healing.
Keep makeup, lotion, and sprays away from a healing piercing.
Recommended cleaning routine
A sterile saline solution made for wound care (look for a simple, single-ingredient spray) is the standard recommendation from the Association of Professional Piercers, the industry's leading body-piercing standards organization. Most guidance suggests rinsing two to three times a day during healing.
During the first week, an unscented antibacterial soap can be used around (not directly on) the area during a shower, followed by a thorough rinse.
Use disposable paper products rather than cloth towels to dry the area. Cloth towels can hold bacteria and snag on jewellery.
When to involve a professional piercer
Vanhess sells piercing jewellery, including implant-grade titanium and solid gold pieces, but we do not perform piercings in-store. For anything that involves the piercing itself, always work with a licensed, professional piercing studio.
Do not remove healing jewellery on your own unless you are having an allergic reaction. For anything else, including swapping jewellery, removing a piercing, or getting a second opinion on healing, a professional piercer can check your specific piercing in person.
If a piercing looks infected, do not remove the jewellery yourself. Removing it can let the surface close over while the infection is still inside, which can lead to an abscess. See a piercer or a healthcare provider promptly if you suspect an infection.
Choosing the right jewellery for healing and beyond
The metal your piercing is healing in matters. We carry implant-grade titanium, a metal widely recommended for new and sensitive piercings, along with solid gold pieces for once a piercing has fully healed. Shop our piercing jewellery collection or visit us in Coquitlam and we will help you choose the right size and material for your piercing.