piercing aftercare guide
Good aftercare is simple and consistent. Follow these steps every day until your piercing is fully healed, and message us if anything feels off.
- Clean 1 to 2 times a day
- Sterile saline only
- Downsize on time
Cleaning solution
the only thing you need
Sterile saline wound wash
Clean your piercing with it every day. The label should list 0.9% sodium chloride as the only ingredient. It may also be called isotonic saline.
Make sure the bottle isn’t plastic, as plastic bottles can be easily contaminated.
Skip homemade sea salt solutions. They’re often too strong and can irritate the skin.
Don’t use contact lens saline, nasal sprays or eye drops. They aren’t made for wound care.
How to clean
Wash your hands
Always wash your hands well before touching your piercing, for any reason.
Spray with saline
Spray or rinse 1 to 2 times a day. If it isn’t very dirty, once a day is enough, since over-cleaning can cause irritation. To loosen crust, soak a piece of sterile gauze in saline and hold it gently against the piercing.
Rinse in the shower
Rinse thoroughly to remove any buildup or residue. Avoid twisting or moving the jewelry while you clean.
Wipe dry with a gentle swipe
Use clean, disposable paper products and wipe with a gentle swiping motion, so any discharge and crust is wiped away.
What to avoid
Harsh products
Alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, iodine, antibacterial soap and ointments dry out or damage the skin and slow healing.
Unverified sprays
Some “piercing aftercare” sold online is repacked and not sterile enough for healing piercings.
Over-cleaning
Cleaning more than 1 to 2 times a day can irritate the piercing. Keep it simple and consistent.
Friction
Tight clothing, snagging and unnecessary touching all slow healing.
Twisting the jewelry
Don’t twist, rotate or play with your jewelry. It irritates the piercing and slows healing.
Makeup & lotions
Keep makeup, lotions and hair products away from the piercing until it’s fully healed.
Changing jewelry
Don’t remove or change it yourself, or let someone else handle it. Come to us for any jewelry change.
Swimming
Stay out of pools, hot tubs, the sea, lakes and rivers while your piercing heals.
Healing timeline
Estimates based on the Philippine climate. Everyone heals differently.
- Heat, humidity and sweat, as well as masks and helmets, can make healing take longer.
- No pain doesn’t mean fully healed. Keep up your aftercare for the whole healing time.
- Proper aftercare, timely downsizing and the right jewelry are all essential for safe healing.
Downsizing
Every new piercing starts with a longer post to make room for swelling. Once the swelling settles, we swap it for a shorter post so it stops snagging and heals straight. Timely downsizing is one of the most important parts of healing well.
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Fresh piercing
A longer post leaves room for swelling.
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Swelling settles
The extra length now catches on hair and pillows.
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After downsizing
A shorter post sits snug and heals straight.
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Skipped downsizing
The post tilts, which can cause bumps and irritation.
when should I downsize?
Pick your piercing and the date you got it.
Your downsizing window will show here.
A guide only. Your exact date is on your aftercare card, and we’ll confirm it at your check-up.
- When
- We’ll tell you your earliest downsizing date at your appointment. It’s written on your aftercare card.
- Cost
- ₱800 for the first hole, then ₱200 for each extra hole, up to ₱1,600 for 5 or more. This fee covers minor cleaning of the piercing site and a check-up only. The new, shorter post is not included and is paid separately: ₱450 to ₱700 per post, depending on the brand.
- How
- Book a downsizing appointment at akimistudio.cloud. Please don’t change the post yourself.
something feels off?
Bumps, lasting redness or jewelry that feels too tight? If you’re not sure what’s wrong, book a consultation and we’ll check your piercing and tell you what it needs. Already know you need troubleshooting? Book it directly.
Consultations start at ₱800. Troubleshooting is priced per hole, from ₱1,800. If a problem with a piercing we did is caused by our work, we’ll review it case by case.
If you have a fever, spreading redness or severe pain, see a doctor.