iamblackbird
01-07-2005, 01:51 PM
If you've never been pierced, chances are you have some questions, and rightfully so. Below are listed some answers to common questions.
All information courtesy The Association of Professional Piercers and Painful Pleasures.
I just got my piercing, and it's bleeding and a bit bruised.
Bleeding, bruising, discoloration and/or swelling is not uncommon. Any break in the skin, including a new piercing can bleed or bruise. These are not indications of any complication. Reduce intake of aspirin, alcohol, and caffeine. For above-the-neck piercings try sleeping with your head elevated above your heart (prop up on some pillows) to limit overnight swelling. Studies show non-steroidal anti-inflammatory products such as Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, etc.) can help minimize swelling.
My new piercing is sore when I touch it or bump it.
Some tenderness or discomfort in the area of a new piercing is not unusual. You may feel stinging, burning, aching or other unpleasant sensations off and on for several days or longer. During healing there may be some itching.
What on earth is this stuff coming out of my piercing!
Secretion of a fluid which contains blood plasma, lymph and dead cells is perfectly normal. It is fairly liquid, whitish-yellow in color and forms a crust on the jewelry at the openings of the piercing. This is not pus, but indicates a healing piercing.
Wait, I thought my piercing was healed! What's this white stuff?
Once healed your piercing may secrete a semi-solid white malodorous substance from the oil glands called sebum. This is not pus, but indicates a healed piercing.
My piercing healed, and now suddenly I'm having trouble with it. Why?
Piercings may have a tendency to have a series of "ups and downs" during healing by seeming healed and then regressing. Try to be patient, and do keep cleaning during the entire initial healing time, even if the piercing seems healed sooner.
My jewelry feels tight in my piercing. Isn't it supposed to swing around?
Tightness is normal. Do not expect jewelry to swing freely in most body piercings, even after they are thoroughly healed. However, if the jewelry is tight enough to cause pain, then you need to go down a gauge or see a piercer.
All information courtesy The Association of Professional Piercers and Painful Pleasures.
I just got my piercing, and it's bleeding and a bit bruised.
Bleeding, bruising, discoloration and/or swelling is not uncommon. Any break in the skin, including a new piercing can bleed or bruise. These are not indications of any complication. Reduce intake of aspirin, alcohol, and caffeine. For above-the-neck piercings try sleeping with your head elevated above your heart (prop up on some pillows) to limit overnight swelling. Studies show non-steroidal anti-inflammatory products such as Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, etc.) can help minimize swelling.
My new piercing is sore when I touch it or bump it.
Some tenderness or discomfort in the area of a new piercing is not unusual. You may feel stinging, burning, aching or other unpleasant sensations off and on for several days or longer. During healing there may be some itching.
What on earth is this stuff coming out of my piercing!
Secretion of a fluid which contains blood plasma, lymph and dead cells is perfectly normal. It is fairly liquid, whitish-yellow in color and forms a crust on the jewelry at the openings of the piercing. This is not pus, but indicates a healing piercing.
Wait, I thought my piercing was healed! What's this white stuff?
Once healed your piercing may secrete a semi-solid white malodorous substance from the oil glands called sebum. This is not pus, but indicates a healed piercing.
My piercing healed, and now suddenly I'm having trouble with it. Why?
Piercings may have a tendency to have a series of "ups and downs" during healing by seeming healed and then regressing. Try to be patient, and do keep cleaning during the entire initial healing time, even if the piercing seems healed sooner.
My jewelry feels tight in my piercing. Isn't it supposed to swing around?
Tightness is normal. Do not expect jewelry to swing freely in most body piercings, even after they are thoroughly healed. However, if the jewelry is tight enough to cause pain, then you need to go down a gauge or see a piercer.