Piercing Aftercare Guide – Skin City Tigard

It’s best to avoid swimming for at least two weeks while your piercing heals — especially in pools, hot tubs, lakes, or the ocean. Water can carry bacteria that may irritate or infect the piercing. If you do end up in water, rinse gently afterward with sterile saline solution and dry the area thoroughly.

Healing times vary based on the piercing and your body’s natural healing process.
Here’s a general guide:

• Earlobe: 6–8 weeks

• Cartilage (helix, tragus, conch): 3–6 months

• Nose or septum: 2–3 months

• Lip or labret: 2–3 months

• Navel: 6–12 months

Always have your first jewelry change done by a professional piercer — changing it too early can cause tearing, infection, or the hole to close.

Irritation can happen even when you’re following aftercare perfectly.
If your piercing becomes red, sore, or crusty:

1. Do not remove the jewelry — that can trap bacteria inside.

2. Clean gently with sterile saline twice a day.

3. Avoid touching, twisting, or rotating the jewelry.

4. Make sure your sheets, phone, and hands are clean.
   If swelling or pain persists for more than a few days, contact your Skin City piercer for advice — we’re always happy to take a look and help you heal properly.

Use a packaged sterile saline solution labeled for wound care.
You can find it at most pharmacies under names like “Wound Wash” or “Sterile Saline Spray.” Avoid alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or ointments — they can dry out and delay healing.

Try not to put pressure on a fresh piercing while it heals.
If you sleep on your side, use a travel pillow (the kind with a hole in the middle) so the jewelry can rest freely without rubbing or bending. Pressure and friction are common causes of irritation bumps.

Healing depends on location and body chemistry:

• Soft tissue piercings (like earlobes or nostrils) usually heal within 2–3 months.

• Cartilage or surface piercings can take 6–12 months.
  Keep cleaning the area and avoid switching jewelry until you’ve passed the full healing window.

Yes — a clear or light yellow crust is part of the normal healing process.
Gently soak and remove it with saline during cleaning.
If you see thick, colored discharge or smell something foul, that could be a sign of infection — contact your piercer for evaluation.

Avoid putting makeup, lotion, or sunscreen directly over a healing piercing.
If it’s on your face, apply products carefully around the area and clean off any residue right away with saline.

For fresh piercings, always choose implant-grade titanium, niobium, or solid gold (14k or higher). Avoid plated or costume jewelry — they can cause irritation or allergic reactions. All jewelry at Skin City Tattoo & Body Piercing meets professional safety standards.

Yes — but we recommend starting with one or two at a time, depending on placement.
Your piercer will help you decide what’s safe for your body and lifestyle.

Don’t wait! Piercings can close within hours if jewelry falls out during early healing.
Call or visit Skin City Tattoo & Body Piercing right away — we can reinsert or replace it to prevent closure.

Minors can be pierced with parent or guardian consent and valid government-issued IDs for both parties.
We follow all Oregon Health Authority guidelines — check our Aftercare for Minors section for full details.