Piercing Aftercare
Your aftercare is the most important part of your piercing. If you have questions/concerns about your piercing or its aftercare, we welcome you to contact a piercing professional at Lark Tattoo. For your convenience, we stock a full line of products for all of your aftercare needs.
General Aftercare Guidelines
Healing times vary depending on the location, care, and your body, but here’s what you can expect:
- Earlobes: 3–6 months
- Cartilage (helix, conch, tragus,flat) 6–12 months
- Nostril: 6–12 months
- Septum: 2–3 months
- Eyebrow: 3–4 months
- Lip, Labret, Philtrum: 2–5 months
- Navel: 6–12+ months
- Tongue 3-4 weeks
- Surface Bar 12 months or longer
- Surface anchor 2-3 months
Daily Aftercare Instructions
Clean Twice Daily:
- Use sterile saline wound wash (we recommend NeilMed or a similar product).
- Spray directly onto the piercing. Do not apply saline with a qtip or anything that would press on the jewelry to avoid further swelling. A piercing is a wound that is best not to be pressed, spun, bent, tugged, or slept on.
- Let air-dry.
- To safely remove crusting without irritating the piercing, avoid picking at it while dry, as this can tear the skin and cause damage. Instead, soften the buildup by soaking the area with sterile saline before showering. Then let the shower stream gently rinse both the front and back of the piercing.
- To help further loosen any buildup, you may use a mild, fragrance-free soap. Lather the soap in your hands to create suds, then gently place the suds over the piercing without scrubbing or moving the jewelry. This helps soften the crusting so it can be rinsed away. Be sure to thoroughly rinse the area one final time before exiting the shower.
Oral Piercings Instructions
- If you use mouthwash, use an alcohol-free mouthwash.
- Avoid playing or fidgeting with your piercing as it will cause more swelling and prolonged healing and irritation.
- Rinse your mouth with water after eating or drinking anything other than water to keep the area clean.
- Be gentle while eating. Softer foods or cutting food into smaller pieces can help prevent discomfort or accidental irritation.
- Stay hydrated. Drinking plenty of water helps maintain oral hygiene and, if cold, may also help reduce swelling.
- Avoid sharing saliva or other bodily fluids for the first 8 weeks or until healed to avoid infection and irritation.
DO NOT:
- Use alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or ointments. These delay healing.
- Twist, rotate, or remove your jewelry during healing.
- Sleep on healing piercings. This can cause soreness, irritation and migration.
- Submerge in pools, hot tubs, lakes, or oceans during initial healing(8 weeks).
- Touch with dirty hands. Always wash before handling.
What’s Normal
- Mild swelling, redness, warmth, and tenderness for the first few weeks.
- Clear to slightly yellowish discharge and some crusting (this is lymph, not pus).
- A healing “bump” is common. We’re here to help guide you if it happens.
- Bleeding can occur for the first few days. It’s perfectly normal. Clean as gently as possible.
Jewelry Changes
Your initial jewelry was chosen to accommodate swelling. Downsizing is a vital step in your healing journey. Come see us around the recommended time (usually 4–8 weeks, depending on the piercing) for a professional healing assessment and optional downsizing.
Troubleshooting
If you’re experiencing any of the following:
- Persistent or worsening redness/swelling after the first month
- Pain that increases over time
- Green/yellow discharge with odor
- A hot lump or abscess
Please reach out immediately. You can call, text, or email us. We’re here to support you.
Follow-Up & Support
Healing isn’t linear. You’re never alone in the process. We’re happy to check in on your piercing in person or through photos if you’re unable to come in. Come visit us anytime for a free follow up or jewelry consultation.
Contact Us
📍 Lark Tattoo – Piercing Department
📞 (516)794-5844
📧 info@larktattoo.com
📱 @larkluxurypiercing on Instagram
