Aftercare
Everything you need to know.
Healing well is simple — and you won't be doing it alone.
Every piercing we place is done with care, precision, and the long game in mind. The jewellery is implant-grade, the technique is considered, and now the rest is in your hands — but only a little of it.
Good aftercare is not complicated. It asks very little of you: clean twice daily, leave it alone, and let your body do what it's extraordinarily good at. This page tells you everything you need to know, clearly and without fuss.
If something concerns you — at any stage — please reach out. No question is too small, and no worry is too minor. We would always rather hear from you.
The Golden Rules
Six principles that make all the difference. Follow these and your healing will be straightforward.
Always wash your hands thoroughly before touching your piercing, your jewellery, or the area around it.
Clean with sterile saline spray (0.9% NaCl) twice daily — morning and evening. Nothing else is needed or beneficial.
Never twist, rotate, or fiddle with your jewellery. This is one of the most damaging things you can do during healing.
Avoid harsh products entirely — no alcohol, no hydrogen peroxide, no tea tree oil, no antiseptic creams.
Leave the jewellery in for the full healing period. Even a healed-looking piercing can close or migrate if jewellery is removed too soon.
Reserve a check-up if anything concerns you. We are always happy to take a look and offer guidance.
Your Cleaning Routine
Consistent, gentle care twice a day. That is all you need.
Wash your hands
Before you do anything else, wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Clean hands are non-negotiable.
Apply sterile saline
Spray or apply sterile saline (0.9% sodium chloride) to the front and back of the piercing. Saturate the area gently. No need to move the jewellery to get saline around it.
We recommend a ready-made sterile saline spray such as NeilMed or equivalent. Do not make your own salt solution — the concentration is difficult to control.
Let it soak
Allow the saline to sit on the piercing for 30 to 60 seconds. This softens any dried lymph fluid (crusties) and allows gentle cleansing to take effect without force.
Pat dry gently
Using a piece of non-woven gauze or clean kitchen roll, gently pat the area dry. Do not rub.
Avoid cotton wool pads and cotton buds — the fibres snag on jewellery and can introduce micro-irritation. Woven fabric (like a flannel or towel) carries the same risk.
Repeat morning and evening
Twice daily is ideal — more frequent cleaning is not more effective and can actually dry out and irritate the piercing channel. Consistency matters more than quantity.
In the shower
Allow clean, warm shower water to rinse over your piercing naturally at the end of your shower. This helps clear away any build-up. Do not direct the shower head at the piercing with force, and avoid getting shampoo, conditioner, or body wash on it.
What to Expect
Your body is healing — knowing what is expected removes a great deal of worry.
These are all part of the process
- Mild swelling and puffiness for the first week, particularly with cartilage piercings
- Light bleeding or spotting on day one, or occasionally after a knock
- Clear or pale straw-coloured fluid — this is lymph, not infection, and it is a sign of healing
- Occasional tenderness when the piercing is bumped or snagged
- Itching, particularly in the second or third week as the tissue begins to settle
- Crusties forming around the jewellery — this is crystallised lymph fluid and is completely normal. Soften gently with saline before removing.
These may warrant a conversation
- Spreading redness that extends beyond the immediate piercing site
- Excessive heat around the piercing, particularly if worsening over days
- Thick green or dark yellow discharge with an unpleasant odour
- Prolonged or severe pain that is not improving with time
- Significant or increasing swelling after the first week
- Fever, chills, or general feelings of being unwell
If you notice any of these signs, email us immediately at hello@pariah.au. You may also wish to visit your GP or a walk-in healthcare professional. Do not remove the jewellery without guidance — this can trap an infection.
Healing Timelines
Every piercing heals at its own pace. These are general guides — your body may heal faster or slower, and that is entirely normal.
Lobe
3–6 months
Helix / Flat
6–12 months
Tragus
6–9 months
Conch
6–12 months
Daith
9–12 months
Rook
9–12 months
Industrial
9–15 months
Nostril
6–9 months
Septum
3–4 months
Navel
9–12 months
These figures represent the time until the fistula (channel of skin) is fully formed — not just until it stops hurting. A piercing may feel fine long before it is truly healed. Changing jewellery or discontinuing aftercare too early is one of the most common causes of irritation and complications.
Downsizing Your Jewellery
When we pierce you, we use a longer post or barbell than your healed jewellery will be. That extra length takes the swelling of the first weeks. Once swelling drops — typically around 4 to 8 weeks — the extra length starts to catch, move, and irritate.
A long post or barbell sitting loose against healing tissue snags and puts pressure on the channel. That can mean irritation bumps, a slower heal, or migration. Downsizing replaces the initial piece with a shorter post or barbell that sits flush.
This is not optional — it is one of the most important steps in the healing process. And it is a wonderful opportunity to explore our jewellery collection and choose your permanent piece.
Why downsizing matters
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Prevents irritation
A flush-fitting post removes unnecessary movement and pressure against the healing channel.
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Reduces snagging risk
Shorter posts are far less likely to catch on hair, clothing, or bedding.
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Discourages migration
Excess movement in a healing piercing can cause the piercing to shift position over time.
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Typically at 4–8 weeks
We will advise you at your piercing appointment. Book as soon as your initial swelling has settled.
Things to Avoid
Most complications stem from these common pitfalls. A little awareness goes a long way.
Aftercare FAQ
A few of the questions we hear most often. If yours isn't here, please ask.
A bump near a piercing is almost never an infection — it is far more commonly an irritation bump (sometimes called a hypertrophic scar). These form in response to trauma, pressure, snagging, or incorrect jewellery fit. They are very common and, in most cases, fully reversible once the cause is identified and addressed.
Signs of a true infection include spreading redness, warmth, fever, and thick coloured discharge with odour. If you are unsure, email us and we can help you identify what you're dealing with and how to address it.
The surface appearance of a piercing heals faster than the underlying tissue channel. A piercing can look and feel completely fine on the outside while the fistula is still fragile internally. We always recommend waiting until the minimum healing time for your piercing type has passed before attempting any jewellery change.
If you want to change your jewellery, book an appointment with us. We can assess whether the piercing is truly ready, and we can make the change safely with the correct tools — no forced jewellery changes at home with unsteady hands.
No. A few missed days will not ruin a healing piercing. Your body is remarkably resilient, and the goal of aftercare is to support the process, not to manage it with military precision. Simply resume your routine and continue as normal.
Consistency over weeks and months matters far more than perfect compliance every single day. The occasional lapse is nothing to worry about.
Glasses are generally fine as long as they do not rest directly on a healing piercing. If the arms of your frames press on or near the site, consider adjusting the fit or padding the frame temporarily.
In-ear earphones and over-ear headphones that press directly on a healing helix, tragus, or conch should be avoided where possible during the initial healing period. Wireless earbuds can be introduced once the piercing is past the acute phase — usually a few weeks in — but be gentle and clean the area after use.
Questions about your healing?
Email us — for guidance, reassurance, or to request a check-up once we are open. However small the concern.