Basic Aftercare Instructions

Axiom Body Piercing Studio Aftercare Instructions

Below is a text version of the Axiom Basic Aftercare Instructions Brochure. If you would like to download the Brochure, Please follow the Links and was revised on June 12, 2023

PDF Version

Shopping List:

1. For Premixed Saline DaVo suggests, NeilMed Neil Cleanse Wound Wash First-Aid Sterile Saline Solution 6 fl oz Each - https://amzn.to/2lgrfL7 or NeilMed Piercing Aftercare Sterile Saline Fine Mist.
2. Paper Towels for Compresses and drying off the piercing area.

If you have a medical condition that affects healing or your immune system or your living or work situation has a high risk of contamination, it is advisable to clean the area with Provon Medicated Lotion Soap with Chloroxylenol - 4 ounce - Pack of 2 - https://amzn.to/2jMIOly once daily or when you feel you have contaminated the area.

Additionally for Genital Piercings:

• Panty Liners or Sanitation Pads. Genital Piercings can bleed up to 5 days.

Additionally for Oral Piercings(See Oral Aftercare):

1. A Non-alcohol based antiseptic mouthwash. Biotene is suggested. Biotene Fresh Mint Moisturizing Oral Rinse Mouthwash, Alcohol-Free, for Dry Mouth, 33.8 ounce - https://amzn.to/2KpWBch
2. Distilled Water
3. Sea Salt 

Healing Stages & Normal Reactions:  

Healing can be divided into three stages:

1. The first stage is the acceptance and preparation period where the body recovers from the trauma of the piercing, clears damaged tissue and prepares to construct the piercing. During this period it is common to experience redness / discoloration, heat, swelling, slight bruising, and tenderness in the piercing area. This can take 1 to 2 weeks to complete and slight bleeding can occur.

2. The second stage is the healing stage. This is the period of time it takes the body to encase the jewelry in new tissue. During this stage of healing, it is not uncommon for the body to produce a secretion of whitish/yellowish fluid that hardens on the ring throughout the healing time (Lymphatic Discharge). The piercing may also tighten/loosen on and off during this stage.

3. The third stage is the "seasoning or toughening" stage. During this time, your body adds layer upon layer of tissue to the tunnel to make the piercing permanent. This stage can take from 1 to 3 years to complete and removing the jewelry for long periods of time can result in the loss or closing of the piercing.

When is the Piercing Healed?

• When the tunnel of tissue connects in the center, the body will stop or reduce producing discharge, the piercing holes will grow inward and become rounded and the jewelry will move easily through the piercing. When in doubt come in and let us decide for you.

Saline Sprays & Cleaning:

The body will produce a discharge throughout the healing period that will harden and crust on the jewelry. For comfort and to avoid agitating of the piercing, it needs to be removed.

• If the spray is

  • a fine mist(Piercing Aftercare), just spray directly onto the piercing area covering both sides. Let it stay in contact for 5 minutes and then pat dry. Do this twice daily.

  • is a power stream like a squirt gun(Wound Wash), spray a sterile gauze sponge or clean folded up paper towel. Then lay it against the piercing area for 5 minutes and then pat dry. Do this twice daily.

• At the end of your daily shower, pull hair out of the area and let the warm water flow over the area for 30 seconds.

If the discharge won’t come off or there is a large amount of it, please come in and let us clean the discharge and take a look. Do not use sharp objects, Q-Tips and other items to remove the discharge because this can lead to issues.

If Your Health, Employment or Living Situation puts you at risk to infection:

Clean the area around the piercing once daily with antimicrobial or germicidal soap. Wash your hands, rinse off the piercing area under running water, squirt out a pearl-size drop of the soap, lather it up well and apply it to the piercing area. Let it stay in contact for 30 seconds, rinse under running water and then pat dry with a clean paper towel.

CROSS CONTAMINATION PREVENTION:

While the piercing is going through its first 2 stages of healing, it is like a portal into the body so it is important that the following steps have been taken until the first stage of healing is complete.

• No oral contact (including your own saliva) or exchanging of bodily fluids in, on, or around the piercing. With genital piercings, sexual contact should be gentle. Also, for the first six months, a latex barrier (condoms, dental dams, gloves and/or finger lots) should be used.

• Avoid handing the jewelry at all. Do not twist, turn, rotate or play with the jewelry. The only time you need to have contact with the piercing is when checking the tightness of threaded jewelry. Always wash your hands before cleaning or touching the piercing area.

• Make sure that everything (clothing. towels. sheets. pillowcases. hats,  etc...) that may come into contact with the piercing are clean.

• No Swimming or submerging the piercing in any body of water other than your own clean bathtub until the piercing is completely healed.

• Keep Pets Away from the piercing and do not let them sleep in the bed with you.
• With Ear Piercing avoid contact with telephones and wet hair.

Abuse, Trauma & Abuse:

Avoid all contact with the piercing during healing. Do not sleep on the piercing, play with the piercing or wear tight fitting clothing against the piercing and jewelry until the piercing is completely healed.

Removing Jewelry & Downsizing:

Do not remove the jewelry for any reason during the healing. Even after the piercing is healed, leaving jewelry out for long periods of time will cause the piercing to close.

Ear Piercing, oral piercing, nostril piercing, nipple piercings and some genital piercings are pierced with jewelry to long or wide for the piercing. This is to allow for swelling and the jewelry should be professional downsized to a short post within 4-6 weeks.

Infections:

Infections are caused by contact with bacteria, fungi and/or other pathogens. This can be caused by contact with dirty hands, oral contact (including your own saliva). 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.

The signs of infection are Redness, Discoloration, Swelling, Heat or Fever on, near or around the piercing. Also, pain that is continuously throbbing, and/or shoot or traveling and discharge that is in a pus form and not a natural color like grayish, yellowish and/or Green. Understand it is normal to see some of these signs in the first few days after the piercing is done.

If you think you have an infection contact your piercer or a medical professional and have them take a look at it. The two worst things you can do are put off getting it taken care of or removing the jewelry. Both could lead to the infections spreading and cause additional health issue. When in doubt, see your piercer or doctor asap.