Please read and follow these important instructions carefully.
Leading Up to Your Piercing Appointment
1. Stay well hydrated! Hydrating makes your skin more resilient & will help with the healing process.
2. Moisturizer helps hydrate the skin from outside elements.
3. Gently exfoliate the area with a loofah or exfoliating body wash.
4. Do not shave the area.
5. Get a good night’s sleep before your appointment & avoid excessive drinking the night before.
6. Have a healthy, balanced meal before your appointment & bring a snack for longer sessions.
7. Ensure your artist is aware of all supplements & medication being taken prior to starting the appointment.
8. If you are sick, call us to reschedule! If you show up for your appointment & are sick, we reserve the right to refuse service & you will lose your deposit.
9. We are as excited to go through this journey with you as much as you are. If we are all prepared, we will have a great time!
Thanx from your Artist(s), and Everyone at The Parlour Group of Companies
A new piercing is an open wound & must be cared for as such to prevent infection & associated complications.
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS: Applicable to ALL Piercings
1. WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT: The Normal Healing Process
1.1. Initially: Some bleeding, localized swelling, or tenderness, redness / discoloration & some bruising.
1.2. DURING HEALING: Some discoloration, itching, secretions of whitish or yellow fluid (NOT pus) that will form around the outside of the incision/puncture & the entry point of your jewelry.
1.3. THE CLEANING PROCESS: Before cleaning, wash your hands thoroughly with soap & rinse. Piercings require three (3) daily cleanings with piercing aftercare spray & or an alcohol-free mouthwash such as Oral B Anti-Bacterial. DO NOT REMOVE JEWELRY FOR CLEANING.
1.4. The Piercing may discharge a whitish / yellowish secretion. These crusty discharges may be removed with a Q-Tip once the piercing has been soaked.
1.5. AVOID: Hot Tubs, Lakes, Pools, Soaking Baths – all have bacteria & or chemicals that can infect or irritate your piercing while it heals. Use COMMON SENSE. If a piercing is likely to be exposed to dirt or debris, wear protective covering. Do not let pets lick a new or healing piercing. Do not “clean-out” your piercing with anti-biotics or products made for cleaning wounds (NO hydrogen peroxide, rubbing alcohol, Bactine, Neosporin or petroleum-based ointment) or bandage your piercing like a wound.
1.6. WARNING: Over-Cleaning your piercing can prolong the time it takes to heal. The interior of your piercing is like a “tunnel”, over time, your body creates new cells that line the tunnel & create a new barrier for your skin from outside exposure. Aggressive cleaning, playing with your piercing or stress by tugging or pulling can tear out the new cells while it is healing, making the entire process begin anew & extending the time it eventually takes for your piercing to heal.
2. SPECIFIC AFTERCARE INSTRUCTIONS:
2.1. NOSTRIL: Be careful of using too much makeup & hard or abrasive facial cleansers. Always pat your face dry; loose or “looped” towel fibers can easily get caught on a piercing & even tear it out. Be careful of your towel catching on it when drying your hair or after getting out of the shower.
2.2. NAVEL: Avoid tight clothing on your navel area, this is the most common cause of irritation.
2.3. NIPPLES: Again, avoid tight-fitting clothing. Women report that wearing a bra or a shirt for support helps with the soreness, especially in bed & during exercise.
2.4. ALL ORAL PIERCINGS: Tongue, Labret, etc. Avoid spicy foods, high grain alcohols, smoking & making out. ORAL B Anti-bacterial mouthwash.
2.5. TONGUE: For swelling or soreness take Aleve or Advil. Eat slowly & think about how you are chewing. NO KISSING OR SEXUAL CONTACT until completely healed. Gently brush your tongue with your toothbrush, it will help remove mucus & dead skin cells.
2.6. LIP/MONROE: Do not play with it! If you leave it alone it will heal faster. Remember to clean the outside as well, it is not sufficient to just rinse your mouth with mouthwash, etc. Consult with your piercing after it has healed about shortening the length of the piercing’s post to avoid damage to teeth & gums. SWELLING & BRUISING is normal. Alcohol consumption will cause extreme swelling & bruising.
3. ESTIMATED HEALING TIMES:Please keep in mind that your own experience may vary depending on your body’s natural healing process & the diligence you have exercised in caring for your new piercing.
3.9. NIPPLES: Male, 3 to 4 Months Female, 6 to 9 Months
4. WARNING SIGNS OF AN INFECTION: The warning signs of an infection include prolonged pain, swelling, excessive discharge, severe discoloration or shift of piercing. The most common cause of infection is repeatedly touching a piercing with unclean hands. If your piercing becomes infected or you believe it might be infected, please contact us first if you have any unusual swelling, irritation, or other signs of infection or any questions or concerns about your healing, please feel free to contact us anytime in Canmore: 403-675-2404 inkcn@theparlour.group or Red Deer: 587-815-5518 inkrd@theparlour.group &/or seek medical attention.
5. ANCIENT WIVES’ TALES FROM THE SEA TO ASSIST IN YOUR HEALING:
5.1. SEA SALT SOAKS:
5.1.1. Non-Iodized Sea Salts help promote healing while reducing irritation. Other salts (table salt, Epsom salt) can contain extra chemicals which may irritate your new piercing. We recommend pure Dead Sea salts which contain extra minerals to aid your healing.
5.1.2. Two to three times per week, add a 1/4 teaspoon of sea salt to a 250ml cup of hot water (not so hot that it will burn you) and soak your piercing for 20-30 minutes. Use a hot compress (cotton ball or gauze pad) if you cannot fully submerge the piercing.
5.1.3. For an oral piercing, add 1/4 teaspoon sea salt to a 250ml cup of hot water, let it cool and carry it with you throughout the day – rinse briefly after eating, drinking anything other than water, or smoking a cigarette.
5.2. CHAMOMILE TEA:
5.2.1. Chamomile tea is a natural anti-inflammatory, so it helps to reduce redness and swelling in a fresh piercing.
5.2.2. Use a chamomile tea bag as a hot compress by dipping it into hot water and holding it against the piercing for anywhere up to 20 minutes. Chamomile tea compresses can be used as often as needed.
5.2.3. Swelling of a tongue piercing can be minimized by brewing a pot of chamomile tea and making small ice cubes out of it. Gently suck on these throughout the day to reduce swelling in the mouth. This also works for infections, irritated and itchy piercing new or old!!!