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The European Professional Pierciers Association recommendations for aftercare

• Cleanse twice daily with a strong saline solution. This can either be made up by dissolving one tablespoon or course sea salt in a pint of pre boiled water or can be bought from a chemist.

• Do not twist or turn the jewellery as this can prolong the healing process, also dead skin could be drawn into the piercing, which could lead to infection.

• Do not apply creams or ointments around the piercing as this could cause a reaction with the jewellery. Creams also keep the piercing moist, and it needs to be dry to heal. Creams and tea tree oil can also loosen any threaded jewellery, which could result in the jewellery falling out.

• Do not use hydrogen peroxide, TCP, or any alcohol based cleaners such as surgical spirits on a new piercing as these are highly astringent and can prolong healing time.

• You can if you wish take a vitamin supplement containing zinc as this boosts the immune system, speeding up the healing process.

• Do not cover your new piercing with gauze or plasters as this prevents air circulating, encouraging bacterial growth are prolonging the healing process.