Aftercare Instructions for Above the Neck Piercings

These instruction are for all above the neck piercings including: All Ear piercings, Eyebrow piercings, Nostril piercings, Spetum piercings, Cheek and Beauty Mark piercings,  Labet piercings, and Lip piercings. With oral piercings you will also need to follow the Oral Aftercare Instructions.

Thanks for choosing the Axiom for your piercing. We have preformed the piercing to insure the best results. Here at the Axiom we believe that our job isn’t done until the piercing is completely healed and that’s why we encourage follow ups and questions. Go to the contact page for information on how to get ahold of DaVo. If you have any question, please contact us or stop by the studio. It’s like my father used to say, “The only stupid question is one you don’t ask.” We do Guarantee our piercing up to a year within normal uses but only if you follow the following after care instructions & have the receipt.

Here’s what you will need to heal the piercing:

1. A Benzalkonium Chloride based solution such as Ear Care Sollution or Sensitive Ear Care Sollution
2. Sea Salt(See details below under What else can I do to help my body heal the piercing)
3. Mineral Supplement of Zinc and a Vitamin Supplement of C(See details below under What else can I do to help my body heal the piercing)
4. With Nostril piercings done with a nostril screw you will need cotton tipped applicators like Q-Tips.

Healing Stages & Normal Reactions:

1. The first stage of is the acceptance period in which the body accepts the piercing and stops trying to reject the jewelry. this can last up to two weeks. During this period it is not uncommon to notice redness/discolorization, heat, swelling, slight bruising and for the piercing to be tenderness to the touch. Also it’s not uncommon to notice slight bleeding in the first five days.  
2. The second stage is the healing stage. This is the period of time that it takes the body to grow encase the jewelry in new tissue. In the first two stages the piercing is an open wound and at risk to infection and removing the jewelry may cause the piercing to close. During this stage of healing it is not uncommon for the body to produce a secretion of a yellowish/whitish fluid that hardens on the ring throughout the healing time called lymph Discharge or the piercing to tighten and loosen on and off during this stage. A majority of these care instructions covers the first two stages of healing and the healing period can vary greatly from person to person based on the person’s health;. Your piercer has supplied an average healing time based on DaVo’s experience. However, you shouldn’t consider the piercing healed until the piercing stops producing discharge and the piercing holes will pull inward as the tissue connects in the center of the piercing. If you feel the piecing is heal but are unsure, please stop by the studio and have us take a look.
3. The Third stage is called the seasoning or toughening period. during this stage your body adds layer upon layer of tissue to the tunnel to make the piercing permanent. This stage can take from I year to 3 years to complete and removing the jewelry for long periods of time can resulting the loss or closing of the piercing. Regardless of the age of the piercing anytime you remove the jewelry, your body will try to reconnect the tissue and close the piercing. So if you want to keep the piercing, leave something in it. 

BASIC CLEANING:
You may begin cleaning the piercing the morning after the piercing was done.

1. Wash your hands with an antibacterial soap.
2. Remove the Lymph discharge by spraying warm water onto the piercing and the jewelry. This is best done under running water in the shower. With nostril piercings uses a cotton tip applicator and warm water for the inside of the piercing. Lymph discharge is your body's way of removing waste from the piercing. The discharge/crust is hard and sharp and will form around the piercing holes and onto the jewelry. If you notice discomfort when trying to move the jewelry. repeat removal until the jewelry moves freely. Never force the jewelry to move because this may draw waste back into the piercing or dislodge the piercing tunnel.
3. Once the jewelry and piercing holes are free of discharge on both sides pore an antiseptic cleaner on to the piercing and jewelry. The antiseptic cleaner needs to have an active ingredient of Benzalkonium chloride. Such as Sensitive Ear care, Ear Care or MDI-ear.
4. Rotate the jewelry through the piercing 6-10 times to work the antiseptic cleaner into the piercing. Always handle the jewelry by the bead or ball. If the jewelry doesn't want to move or it is painful to move the piercing do not rotate the jewelry. Also do not rotate the jewelry the first 3 days
5. Pat dry with a clean towel.

HOW ELSE CAN I HELP MY BODY TO HEAL THE PIERCING:

1. Being in good health, by eating a well balanced diet, getting plenty of rest and reducing stress.
2. Taking a Zinc Orate supplement for the First two weeks only (60mg daily for women/120mg daily for men) and 500mg to 1000mg supplement of Mineral Absorbate of Vitamin C daily(if you smoke you may want to double it). Always take supplements with meals.
3. Hot soaks or compresses with sea salt and warm water (1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon) of sea salt per cup of warm water.(Should taste as salty as your own tears.) One to two times daily. Soaks should be done using an inverted cup over the piercing creating a vacuum. Compress should be done using a clean paper towel. It is best to do this before doing the basic cleaning because not only will it make the cleaning easier but the piercing needs to be rinsed after doing a soak or compress.

CROSS CONTAMINATION PREVENTION:

While the piercing is going through its first stage of healing it is like a portal into the body, so it's important that the following steps be taken until the First stage of healing is complete:

1. No oral contact (including your own salvia) or exchanging of bodily fluids in/on or around the piercing.
2. Handle the jewelry only during cleaning and then only after washing your hands with an antibacterial soap and then only by the bead or ball. Avoid handling the piercing or jewelry after touching surfaces because it will increase the chances of cross contamination. You should wash hands then rinse and touch only the piercing.
3. Make sure that everything (clothing. towels. sheets. pillow cases. hats etc...) that may come into contact with the piercing are clean. Also avoid contact with shampoos. cosmetics, hair sprays & etc....
4. Do not submerge the piercing during the first stage of healing into any body of water (natural waters. hot tubs. swimming pools. etc....) other than your own clean bathtub. Swimming pools are a reduced risk if you are sure that it is maintained properly. Also wearing a water proof bandage over the piercing while swimming and cleaning the piercing after getting out of the water can reduce the risks. This does not insure that cross contamination will not happen, but it does reduce the chances.

REMOVING JEWELRY:

Until the first stage of healing is complete do not remove the jewelry for any reason. Once the first stage of healing is complete, remove the jewelry only to replace it. Do this for up to 2 to 3 years. I suggest for the first year that you have a professional change the jewelry. It can be a little tricky and often forcing the jewelry in can tear or dislodge the piercing tunnel. The Axiom and most studios will change & sterilize the jewelry for free, regardless of where it was bought. We strongly suggest that even with a healed piercings you have it auto calved before inserting the jewelry.

ABUSE AND IRRITATION:

A good rule is, the more you baby it and the less contact with the piercing, the faster it will heal and the less problems you will have. During the first stage of healing avoid:

1. Clothing that are too tight. abrasive irritating and/or may limit oxygen flow to the piercing that are in contact with the piercing.
2. Sleeping on the piercing or other abuse and long term contact.
3. Using harsh cleaning agents like Alcohol. Witch Hazel. Hydrogen Peroxide. Hibiclens. Betadine. Listerine(or other alcohol bases mouthwashes) and anti-bacterial soaps.
4. Using antibacterial and other ointments. They tend to block the flow of oxygen to the piercings, block the natural discharge and/or provide a place for contaminants to collect and breed.

INFECTIONS CAUSES:

Infections are caused by contact with bacteria, fungi and/or other pathogen. This can be caused by contact with dirty hands,. oral contact (including your own salvia). Exchanging of bodily fluids, hair, cosmetics, oils, unwashed clothing/towels/bedding and/or submerging the piercing into Natural waters. hot tubs. swimming pools and/or unclean bathtubs.

SIGNS of Infection:

Redness, discoloration, swelling, heat/fever, on or around the piercing, pain the is throbbing and/or shooting/travels, pus and/or discharge that is unnatural in color like grayish. yellowish and/or greenish.

WHAT DO I NEED TO DO?

First off contact your piercer or a medical professional so they can take a look at it. The two worst things that you can do is put off getting it taken care of and/or removing the jewelry. Both can cause the infection to spread if not taken care of and/or other problems. Whenever in doubt see your doctor.