Aftercare

Do not use these

• Rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide. Both slow healing by drying the area and killing new healthy cells.
• Bacitracin or other ointments. Ointments try to seal the skin and may slow oxygen to the tissue.
• Soaps that contain triclosan.

Non-oral piercings

1. Wash your hands every time before you touch the piercing.
2. Swelling is normal during the first few days.
3. Clean with warm water and Dr. Bronner's soap. If you cannot find Dr. Bronner's, use a mild antibacterial soap and rinse thoroughly.
4. Clean the jewelry post and the skin on both sides of the piercing.
5. Remove all residue from the piercing and the jewelry while you wash.
6. Pat dry with a clean towel or a Q-tip, or let it air dry.
7. Apply a saline piercing rinse and let it air dry. If you did not buy an aftercare product, you can mix sea salt and distilled water.
8. The studio's rule of thumb is to treat each piercing like a minor surgery, so you have fewer problems.

Dermals

Follow the same non-oral steps, with one hard exception: do not move the implant while it is healing. Keep the bandage on for 3 to 5 days so it has time to anchor. You must be 18 for a dermal. See the age rules.

Oral piercings

1. Wash your hands every time before you touch the piercing.
2. Healing time is about 3 to 5 weeks for oral piercings.
3. Swelling is normal for the first few days. Keep ice in your mouth and place an ice pack outside the mouth.
4. Rinse at least 4 to 6 times a day with an antiseptic mouthwash. Alcohol-free mouthwash stings less, but it still has to be antiseptic. You can rinse with coconut water if you want an all-natural option. Rinse after eating, drinking, or smoking, before bed, and first thing in the morning.
5. Each antiseptic rinse should last 30 to 60 seconds.
6. Treat the piercing like a minor surgery, so you have fewer problems.

Lip piercings

Follow the oral steps, and also clean the outside the way you clean a non-oral piercing.

• Swelling is normal during the first few days.
• Clean the outside skin with warm water and Dr. Bronner's, or a mild antibacterial soap, and rinse thoroughly.
• Clean the jewelry post and the outside skin.
• Remove residue from the piercing and the jewelry.
• Pat dry with a clean towel or a Q-tip, or let it air dry.
• Keep the mouth rinse schedule: 4 to 6 times a day, after eating, drinking, or smoking, before bed, and in the morning.

Questions

Text 843-877-6872 with your name, your age, the type and date of the piercing, and the reason you are texting.

Walk-ins and children are always welcome.

Prices and age limits are on the prices page. The FAQ covers helix questions and the studio rules.