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The Axiom Body Piercing Studioinside the Skin Kitchen / 2724 Douglas Ave / Des Moines, Ia 50310 / 515-255-4430 / cel 515-991-8180

Studio Aftercare Instructions for Above the Neck Piercings

This covers aftercare instructions for: Ear Lobe, Ear cartilage, Tragus, Rook, Helix, conch, Daith, Orbits, Industrials, Eyebrow, Nostril, septum, Lip, Cheek & Beauty Mark(with oral piercings also see Aftercare Instructions for Oral Piercings).

Healing Stages /NORMAL REACTIONS: / BASIC CLEANING: / HOW ELSE CAN I HELP MY BODY TO HEAL THE PIERCING: / CROSS CONTAMINATION PREVENTION: / REMOVING JEWELRY: / ABUSE AND IRRITATION: / INFECTIONS CAUSES: / Signs of Infection:

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. If you turn this sheet over you will find all our contact information including: the studio number, Davo's cell number, our e-mail and web site address. 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 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 good Antiseptic cleaner with an active ingredient of Bezalkonium. such as Sensitive Ear Care Solution, or Ear Care.
2. Non-iodized 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)

Healing Stages: Healing can be divided into two stages:

• During the first stage your body produces a tunnel of tissue around the piercing and the jewelry It is during this stage that the piercing is in fact an open wound and more prone to infections and growing shut. This information will cover the steps that need to be followed to reduce this. Due to the fact that everyone heals at different paces the healing time could be shorter or longer then the minimum healing time then listed. So if the piercing seems healed but you are unsure. stop by the piercing studio and ask a professional.
• The second 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. A good rule of thumb is if you like the piercing leave something in it.

NORMAL REACTIONS:Everyone's body reacts differently but common reactions are:

1. Slight bleeding off and on for the First few days.
2. Tenderness. itchiness, slight bruising and slight redness for the First week to two weeks on or around the piercing.
3. A secretion of a yellowish/whitish fluid that hardens on the ring throughout the healing time called lymph Discharge.
4. A tightening around the jewelry throughout the healing time.

BASIC CLEANING:

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. 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 onto the piercing & jewelry. The antiseptic cleaner needs to have an active ingredient of Benzalkonium Chloride. Such as Sensitive Ear Care, Ear Care or Medi-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.
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 for women/120mg for men) and 1000mg supplement of Mineral Absorbate of Vitamin . C three times daily. 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.

CROSS CONTAMINATION PREVENTION: While the piercing is going through its first stage of healing it is like a portal into the body, so its 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. With genital piercings sexual contact should be gentle. Also for the first six mouths a latex barrier (condoms, dental damns. gloves and/or finger clots)should be used even if you are in a monogamous relationship.
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 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. Often other studios and retailers will display their jewelry open in a case and allow the general public to handle the jewelry. This makes the jewelry prone to collecting bacteria amid other contaminants.

ABUSE AND IRRITATION: A good rule of thumb 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 piercings that are in contact with the piercings.
2. Sleeping on the piercings or other 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 piercings into Natural waters. hot tubs. swimming pools amid/or unclean bathtubs.

Signs of Infection:

Redness, discoloration, swelling, heat/fever, on or around the piercings, 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 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.

if you have any questions on the info inside this site feel free toe-mail me at davo@axiompiercing.com or you can contact me by phone at 515-255-4430 or cel 515-991-8180 or go to the contact page for more complete information