Your responsibility continues after you leave the shop.
A fresh piercing needs time to heal, and appropriate aftercare helps reduce avoidable irritation and contamination.
General care principles include:
Wash your hands before necessary contact with the piercing.
Follow the written instructions provided by your piercer.
Use sterile saline wound wash when appropriate.
Avoid twisting, rotating, or repeatedly touching the jewelry.
Avoid unnecessary pressure and snagging.
Do not change the jewelry before it is ready.
Avoid harsh cleaning products unless specifically directed by a qualified healthcare professional.
Healing times vary by placement. Earlobes often heal faster than cartilage, and some cartilage or body piercings may require many months to heal completely.
A piercing can look healed on the outside while the tissue inside is still recovering.
If you suspect an infection, contact a healthcare professional. Do not remove jewelry from a potentially infected piercing without medical guidance.