Tongue

3-4 Weeks

2-3 Months

2-3 Months

3-6 Months

4-6 Weeks

2-3 Months

6-8 Weeks

2-3 Months

2-3 Months

3-6 Months

May be tender, itchy, or bruised for a few weeks.

May be slightly red. Redness may persist for several months in a navel.

May bleed a little for the first few days.

May secret a whitish-yellow fluid which crusts on the jewelry. This is not pus.

May tighten around the jewelry as it heals, making the jewelry difficult to turn when dry.

May swell the tongue or lip. This will be most uncomfortable for the first 3-5 days.

Your piercing will not be completely healed for several years. Even after the piercing has healed, reinsertion can be difficult and sometimes impossible.

Jewelry should not be changed during the initial healing period.

If your jewelry must be temporarily removed, please call your piercer.

You will need an anti-microbial soap or Satin (no dyes or perfumes).

Your piercing should be cleaned thoroughly once a day EVERYDAY for the entire healing time. The best time to clean your piercing is before bedtime. Prepare the area for cleansing by removing the NORMAL secretion of blood plasma and lymph (crusties). This is easily accomplished by soaking the piercing in warm water for 1 to 2 minutes. When the crust has softened, use a Q-tip to GENTLY remove the matter. Never pick at the crust with your fingernails.

Work a small amount of soap with water and apply it to the piercing. Gently rotate the jewelry back and forth through the piercing several times makeing sure the saop is entering the piercing. Allow the soap to remain in the piercing for 2 to 3 minutes. Keep all other soaps, shampoo, and conditioner from entering the piercing. Remember, the soap does not have to lather to be affective.

Rinse the area throughly under running water, while rotating the jewelry back and forth severeal times to remove ALL traces of the cleanser. Never put any kind of soap on your piercing without rinsing it off.

Gently pat the area dry with a Kleenex or other disposable paper product. Use a Q-tip to dry difficult to reach areas.

Clean the piercing no more than once a day. Cleaning more frequently may damage the delicate skin cells, and cleaning less frequently may invite an infection. When you're not cleaning your new piercing LEAVE IT ALONE!!!

Mild salt water soaks are strongly suggested as a supplement to your once-a-day cleansing. DO this once or twice a day. Dissolve 1/4 teaspoon sea salt into 8 ounces of warm distilled water in a clean cup (alternative: Wound Wash Solution available at Wal-Mart, CVS, or your local drugstore). Invert the cup over the piercing and form a vacuum. Soak the piercing for 10-15 minutes. Rinse or splash the salt from your piercing. If any whitish material remains, remove it with a clean Q-tip. Do not rotate the jewelry. Many above the neck piercings are difficult to soak. In this case, a warm compress of paper towels or guaze should be sufficient.

Infections are caused by contact with bacteria, fungi, or other living pathogens. Piercing infections can usually be traced to one of the following activities:

Touching the piercing with unwashed hands, or letting someone else touch the piercing .

Oral contact with the piercing, including your own saliva.

Allowing body fluids to contact the piercing.

Contact with hair, cosmetics, oils infrequently washed clothing or bedding, or other agents.

Going to the pool, hot tub, lake, ocean, or other body of water. Baths are OK if you bleach your tub frequently.

While these symptoms may also indicate other problems, look for the following indications of infection:

Redness and swelling (after the first several weeks)

A sensation of heat at the pierced location

PAIN, especially throbbing or spreading pain.

Unusual discharge. May be greenish or yellowish.

*If you think you have an infection, contact your piercer.*

How your piercing heals is up to you!

Treat your body with respect and it will respect your new piercing. Get plenty of rest, eat healthy, and don't subject yourself to heavy stress during the healing process.

Remember, your piercing may look and feel like it has completely healed in a short amount of time. Most piercings go through a series of ups and downs during the healing process; always be patient.

Rough sexual activity or excessive movement of the area can cause redness, swelling discharge, and migration.

Many piercees have found that Vitamin C (300 mg in mineral ascorbate form), Multivitamins, ans a zinc supplement (women: 60 mg / men: 120 mg), for about two weeks can accelerate healing and regeneration of skin tissue.

Cut down or STOP SMOKING. Smokers may experience a considerably longer healing time.

Suck on ice for the first 2 days to reduce swelling. You may also wish to take an anti-inflammatory non-prescription medication containing ibuprofin.

Avoid alcoholic beverages and anything irritating, such as spicy, sugary, or highly acidic food and drinks, peroxides, toothpaste and mouthwash.

For tongue piercings: After the initial healing phase, it is important to downsize your jewelry to reduce the risk of tooth and gum damage. Don't be in a hurry to downsize your jewelry. Your piercer will know when the time is right.

Latex Barriers are a must for oral sex. You have an open wound in your mouth and body fluids from your partner may cause an infection, even if you are in a monogamous relationship.

Avoid rough sexual activity and do not play with your tongue piercing during the initial healing time.

Carefully, brush your tongue when you brush your teeth. This will remove mucous, bacteria and dead skin from around the piercing. Use a soft toothbrush.

If your jewelry has threaded ends, you must check the tightness of the balls EVERYDAY (make sure your hands are clean). Failure to do so may result in loss, or ingestion of your jewelry.