• THOROUGHLY WASH your hands before cleaning or touching the piercing for any reason.

• If necessary, use saline solution for rinsing during the healing process. In some cases, it may be easier to use a clean cloth soaked in saline solution for gentle wiping. The subsequent rinse removes residues.

• If the piercer recommends using soap, gently lather around the piercing and rinse if needed. Avoid using strong soaps, those containing colors, fragrances, or triclosan.

• RINSE thoroughly to remove all soap from the piercing. It is not necessary to rotate the jewelry through the piercing.

• DRY by gently patting with a clean, disposable paper product, as cloth towels may collect bacteria and snag on jewelry, causing injuries.

• Initially, you may experience: slight bleeding, local swelling, tenderness, or bruising.

• During the healing process, you may notice: some color changes, itching, the discharge of whitish-yellow fluid (not pus), which may form a crust on the jewelry. Tissue may tighten around the jewelry as it heals.

• After complete healing, the jewelry in the piercing may feel immobile; avoid forcing it. If you do not keep the piercing clean as part of your daily hygiene, normal but unpleasant bodily fluids may accumulate.

• Sometimes, it may seem like the piercing has healed before the healing process is complete. This is because the tissue heals from the outside in, and even though it appears fine, the inner part is still delicate. Be patient and keep it clean throughout the entire healing period.

• Even fully healed piercings can shrink or close within minutes after years of existence! It depends on the individual’s body; if you like your piercing, keep jewelry in it — don’t leave it empty.

• Avoid cleaning with alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, antibacterial soaps, iodine, or other aggressive products, as they can damage cells. Also, avoid ointments as they hinder necessary air circulation.
• Avoid using Bactine®, ear care products for piercings, and other products containing benzalkonium chloride (BZK). They can cause irritation and are not intended for prolonged wound care.
• Avoid over-cleaning, as it may delay healing and irritate the piercing.
• Avoid excessive trauma, such as rubbing with clothes, excessive movement in the area, playing with the jewelry, and intense cleaning. These activities can lead to unsightly and uncomfortable scarring, migration, prolonged healing, and other complications.
• Avoid oral contact, rough play, and exposure to other bodily fluids near the piercing throughout the entire healing period.
• Avoid stress and recreational drug use, including excessive caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol.
• Avoid submerging the piercing in unhygienic bodies of water, such as lakes, pools, hot tubs, etc. Or protect the piercing with a waterproof wound cover. These are available at most pharmacies and are best suited for nipple, navel, and surface piercings.
• Avoid all beauty and personal care products around or on the piercing, including cosmetics, lotions, sprays, etc.
• Do not hang jewelry or other items from the piercing until fully healed.
• Sleeping directly on a healing cartilage piercing can cause irritation, even changing the angle of the piercing. To avoid this, a travel pillow placed on top of your regular pillow with your ear in the opening can be helpful.

• Leave the original jewelry in place throughout the entire healing period, unless issues with size, style, or material arise. If any changes to the jewelry are necessary during healing, consult a qualified piercer. Use the APP member locator to find a piercer or request our brochure “Choose Your Piercer.”
• If a metal piece needs to be temporarily removed (e.g., for a medical procedure), contact your piercer to obtain a non-metal alternative.
• Always leave the jewelry in. Even fully healed piercings worn for years can shrink or close within minutes! Reinserting the jewelry may be difficult or impossible once removed. For more information, refer to the APP brochure “Preparing for Medical or Dental Procedures.”
• Regularly check the tightness of your jewelry’s threads and threadless ends with clean hands or using paper products.
• If you decide you no longer want the piercing, simply remove the jewelry yourself (or have a professional piercer remove it) and continue cleaning the piercing until the hole closes. In most cases, only a small mark should remain.
• In case of suspected infection, high-quality jewelry or an inert alternative can be left in place, with approval from your doctor, to allow drainage if necessary. Rarely, removing the jewelry may seal off surface cells, potentially trapping an infection in the piercing channel and causing an abscess. Until the infection is resolved, discuss with your doctor whether to leave high-quality jewelry or an appropriate replacement in place.