Back to the Journal
Aftercare · February 2026
Your Piercing Is Healing. Here's the Truth.
Healing is mostly about what you don't do. Here's the short, honest version of aftercare.
4 min read · Care
Clean simply
Sterile saline spray, twice a day, front and back. That's it. Skip alcohol, peroxide, tea tree oil, and ointments — they irritate healing tissue and slow everything down.
Leave it alone
Don't twist it, don't rotate it, don't change the jewelry early. Every unnecessary touch resets progress. Wash your hands before the ones that are necessary.
Watch the water
Pools, hot tubs, lakes, and oceans are off the table until healed. Showers are fine; soaking is not.
Expect a timeline, not an event
Lobes settle in weeks; cartilage can take many months. Mild swelling, light crusting, and occasional tenderness are normal. Spreading redness, heat, or discharge is not — see a professional.
