Body piercings at South Beach Tattoo Company are always performed in a clean environment with brand new jewelry and needles and sterilized equipment by a skilled, knowledgeable professional piercer. When you leave the studio however, the responsibility for the care of your new piercing rests with you. With all new piercings the most crucial time to give attention to aftercare is the first month but your piercing will heal best if you continue to care for it for at least the minimum times we suggest. The purpose of aftercare and cleaning is to remove any matter or discharge that collects on the jewelry and prevent harmful bacteria from collecting in the area of a fresh piercing. Infection or irritation of a piercing generally occurs because of bacteria or foreign matter being forced into the wound and under the skin's surface. The single best way to prevent this from happening is to limit the amount of contact you have with the piercing at times other than cleaning. Dirty hands are the most common way that irritants and infectious agents are introduced to a fresh piercing, so if you aren't cleaning your piercing then Keep Your Hands Off Of It.

The best way to ensure that your piercing heals as quickly as it can is to keep your body healthy. When your body is trying to heal a new piercing it needs you to take care of yourself. A healthy diet, regular sleep, and moderation with alcoholic beverages during healing can make a great difference. A daily multi-vitamin helps to improve the progress of a new piercing and many people also find that an additional zinc or Vitamin C supplement will speed the healing process further. We generally discourage the use of antibacterial ointments such as Neosporin or Bacitracin because these products do not allow the skin to breathe and the sticky ointments can attract particles from the air and your clothing which may irritate. Besides, unless you have been neglecting the care of your piercing, these should not be necessary.

1. Most mid-body piercings are bandaged when first done. The bandage may be removed after 2-3 hours. Some piercees prefer to let the bandage remain for the first night, however, and remove it the following morning.
2. A new piercing should be cleaned 2-3 times per day during the recommended healing time with an anti-microbial cleanser such as Hibiclens or Betadine. (Some people have allergies to the iodine that is in Betadine, so Hibiclens is our first choice.)
3. Wash your hands thoroughly before coming in contact with a fresh piercing.
4. Moisten the piercing and jewelry to soften any crust or foreign matter which may have dried on the edge of the piercing.
5. Foam a very small amount of the Hibiclens with water in your hand. Gently rub free any remaining dried matter from the jewelry. Be certain that the jewelry is clean all the way around.
6. When the jewelry is clean, gently move it back and forth 3-4 times allowing some of the soap to move through the piercing.
7. Thoroughly rinse the piercing under water. Be sure that all of the cleanser has been washed off by moving the jewelry a few times more underneath the water.
8. Pat the piercing and jewelry dry with a clean towel or paper towel.
9. If bothersome itching or discomfort exists, Bactine antiseptic can help alleviate this. (Bactine should not be used for male or female genital piercings.) After cleaning, apply a few drops of Bactine with a cotton swab and move the jewelry back and forth. Blot off the excess.
10. If difficulties occur in the healing of your piercing or if you have any unanswered questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

NOTES

•   *   The hand web can certainly be called the most difficult piercing that there is to heal. For those considering this piercing, we strongly stress that you think seriously about this for a long period of time. We generally will never do this piercing on a walk-in basis; a consultation is required to explain to you the difficulties in healing and to evaluate the seriousness of your desire for this piercing. Due to the constant use the hand is required for and the large number of dirty or possibly contaminated surfaces it comes in contact with, it is extremely difficult to achieve a well-healed, healthy piercing here. Constant hand washing is required after contact with virtually every surface. Also, the hand on which the piercing is performed must be used minimally for the entire duration of healing. The percentage of persons who find success with this piercing is quite small. If you are seriously thinking about a hand web piercing stop by the shop to consult one of our piercers.
  
  
•   +   Male genital piercings generally heal faster than most people expect them to (with the exception of the Ampallang or Apadravya). This, however, does not diminish the seriousness with which the piercee must approach aftercare. It is important that, even if your piercing appears to be healed early on, you continue to care for it for the recommended duration. Sex after a male genital piercing is different for every piercee. Some feel comfortable during sex right away, while others prefer to wait a period of time. For the most part men who get a Foreskin or Frenum piercing should treat it gently during sex until it is well healed. Until the skin in these piercings has had a chance to heal thoroughly, it is quite delicate and the tissues can tear. Piercees opting for an Ampallang or Apadravya piercing should be patient and diligent with their aftercare as these piercings can take a long time to heal completely. Lastly, until completely healed, all male genital piercings must be protected through the use of a latex condom.
  
  
•   ^   Female genital piercings require extra attention during aftercare -- particularly in the case of the clitoris, triangle or clitoris hood piercings. Due to the delicate nature of the skin, increased blood flow, and multiple folds of tissue in the area, these piercings have the potential for many problems if cared for improperly. However, if the care is taken in the cleaning of these piercings then problems are minimal. During the healing period, women with new genital piercings must require their sexual partner to use some form of protection such as a condom or oral dam. Women considering a clitoris or triangle piercing are advised to consult a professional piercer for an evaluation to determine if these piercings are realistic for them. Few women have the specific anatomy required for these piercings and many do not fully realize the commitment needed during healing. In most cases a clitoris hood or labia piercing may be more appropriate.
  
  
•   @   Due to the sensitive nature of the skin, some people find that a cleanser such as Hibiclens or Betadine is too strong or irritating. In these cases a mild anti-bacterial soap such as Dial Anti-Bacterial or Lever 2000 Anti-Bacterial Liquid Soap may be substituted. Many piercees find a soak in a warm sea salt solution 2-3 times per week will also speed the healing process and soothe a new piercing. If you choose to do a sea saltwater soak, it is important that you purchase natural sea salt only -- iodized table salt is not an appropriate substitute. Many people have unpleasant irritations from iodized salt, so it should be avoided. Simply mix a level spoon of sea salt in a clean bowl or tub of lukewarm water and soak the piercing for 15-20 minutes. Sexual contact is not prohibited with genital piercings, however, caution should be taken until the piercing is healed. Some form of sexual protection (such as a latex condom or vaginal barrier) must be used until the piercing has healed completely. A fresh piercing is essentially an open wound and can easily be exposed to infection and disease during oral, vaginal, or anal sex. Be sure to protect your new piercing and yourself.