-what we do and why
-infection control practice
-use of sterile technique

-jewelry materials
-barbell comparison
-captive ring comparison

-simple recovery info
-more information
-download care instructions

-before you stop by...
-FAQ

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Your recovery information

About the materials we use

We use ASTM certified jewelry materials. This means that they are proven safe for use in piercing applications by scientific testing.

Any jewelry that is made of materials that are not certified for human implant applications should be treated as novelty jewelry and never worn in contact with body fluids or worn for extended periods of time. Serious and permanent damage to skin and vital organs can occur from certain materials, as toxins from the materials are absorbed through your skin and into the bloodstream.

Proper Fit Guaranteed

Jewelry for new piercings should be fitted for comfort without excessive movement. We guarantee the fit of your piece. Contact us for replacement if you think it might be too loose or tight. Tight jewelry tends to indent the openings. Loose jewelry tends to move about & cause irritation.

How the body heals

• The body will begin by sealing the new opening and defending itself with white blood cells and your natural healing factors.

• New skin can grow very quickly when a piercing gets protection from irritation and infection.

• The body heals quickest when protected and left alone, usually in 30 to 90 days

• The better your nutrition and care during this time, the quicker your piercing will heal.

What you need to do

• Protect your piercing from biological and chemical contamination. Do not use any antibacterial or antibiotic products, peroxide or alcohol on your piercing.

• Twisting and turning are not required and have proven to not be useful in healing piercings.

• Check the jewelry regularly and keep the ends tight at their connections. Wash your hands thoroughly, and then use medical gloves, gauze, or folded tissue to grip without direct contact.

• If you are wearing an occlusive bandage such as Tegaderm, ensure that the seal is watertight and replace the dressing when the edges start to peel up or curl.

3M NexCare Tegaderm seals are available at your pharmacy

Your piercing should look good and feel healthy every day.

You should never experience extremes of pain, swelling, redness, heat, discolored discharge or weeping from any piercing. These are signs of a problem. Contact us, or your doctor for advice.

What to expect

Phase 1

(This occurs in the first few weeks.)

• Dry, small scab forms around the jewelry, and skin begins to grow.

• Keep the piercing isolated dry & clean.

• Leave scab or dried fluids intact.

• Don't touch, move or rotate the jewelry.

• Avoid pressure from tight clothing, or sleeping on your piercing etc., which can cut off the circulation and slow healing.

• Don't contaminate your piercing with dirty hands, soap, tap water, make up, or skin care products etc.

• While bathing or swimming, keep the piercing dry. Keep your back to the shower and cover it with a plastic cup, or wear a waterproof seal such as Tegaderm (latex free).

Prior to applying any bandage over the piercing, clean off the area  surrounding the piercing using a gauze pad and distilled water. (Take care to avoid the wound).

• If it gets WET, rinse with clean water and blot dry with sterile gauze or tissue. Make sure it gets completely dry again.

• If it gets DIRTY, wash it with a mild liquid soap [such as castile, olive oil or glycerin without dye, fragrance, moisturizer, deodorant, or antibacterial ingredients], then rinse and blot dry as described above.

• Avoid getting the piercing wet or dirty for faster, easier healing.

• Avoid sexual and oral contact with unhealed piercings.

• Use barriers such as condoms, gloves and dental dams even with a monogamous partner.

• Healthy nutrition and avoiding alcohol, smoking, and drugs will benefit your piercing. Get your vitamins and minerals!

• After 30 days, please come in for a free follow up visit.

Phase 2

(Usually occurs after the first week.)

• Healthy people will notice the inside sheds dried scab and cellular waste material; growing new skin is delicate.

• Continue to protect it until the skin is sturdy and has completely healed.

• Jewelry should not be moved or changed at home until solid healthy skin has sealed the area. We can do it for you safely.

Phase 3

(Usually occurs within 30 to 90 days.)

• For a healthy individual by now a tunnel of skin is sturdy & sealed.

• Keep cleansers, shampoo and soaps out of the opening and off the jewelry. Rinse well if you do get anything on or in the piercing.

• Blot dry with sterile gauze or tissue after bathing to prevent irritation from moisture retained inside. Rinse and dry after bathing when healed.

• When the skin has become sturdy, you can ease back in to your regular activities.

• Changing jewelry on your own should be easy when the piercing is healed. We have many options waiting for you: shapes, colors + gems!

Should you take out your jewelry for an extended period of time, reinsertion could become difficult. The longer the jewelry is left out, the tighter and more difficult reinsertion can be. The elastic nature of skin can make a healed piercing shrink, but not seal shut. We can usually put the jewelry back in for you pretty easily with a guide taper, as soon as possible after you remove it. You get to keep the guide to make it easier for you to change or remove in the future.

Oral Care

• Use a new mechanical toothbrush and bottled water to brush teeth and tongue each day after eating or drinking during healing. KEEP IT COLD.

• Wash out food particles and residues with bottled water after meals and snacks.

• Don't use toothpaste, mouthwash, peroxides or other oral care products during healing—such products do not aid in healing and may irritate the piercing. Use bottled water and a mechanical toothbrush instead.

• Drink plenty of cold liquids (ice water, fruit juice and electrolyte drinks). Continue until the area has relaxed back to normal.

• Ice should be soothing if applied consistently for the first few days until any swelling is gone.

• Avoid oral contact with anything irritating: Kissing or oral sex without a protective barrier, alcohol, smoking, spicy, salty, sugary, or highly acidic food and drink, etc. until healed

Within two weeks of sealing the piercing, change jewelry to a shorter post to prevent serious tooth damage. A closer fit will reduce wear on teeth and gums. You keep your longer post, as it may be useful.

Skin colored (matte pink) titanium pieces are suggested for disguise and can also be used for healing. However, there are currently no clear or flesh tone plastic pieces that meet ASTM standards for safety or implant certification.

And in closing…

Please come back to show us your results as part of our ongoing process of improvement and development of our techniques and documentation of our work. You play an important role in our quest to make the art and science of piercing safe, simple, and gentle.

At 30 days, please visit for free follow up info.

Tips for better healing: