Do not touch your new piercing unless you have washed your hands well first, that
goes for other people touching the piercing too.
Do not use alcohol-based cleaning solutions. They will slow healing and may cause
skin irritation.
Do not share jewellery with friends, even in healed sites.
Do not insert non-sterile jewellery or jewellery made of metals other than those
recommended by the operator.
Do not allow the body fluids of others to come into contact with your piercing until
the site is completely healed.
Do listen to the care advice you are given by the body artist, and follow it.
Do return to the body artist when advised, or if having problems.
Do avoid swimming until the piercing is healed, contaminated water is likely to pose
a risk of infection.
Do avoid having sex for at least a week after a genital piercing, check with your body
artist as some genital piercings take longer to heal.
Do see a doctor at the first signs of infection, do not wait until pus forms or jewellery
cannot be removed.
Do be aware that you may experience tissue rejection which means the piercing site
may swell, the skin colour changes and the area becomes itchy. This is different from
infection where there is pus and usually pain. If you experience these symptoms, see
your doctor.
Taking care of a new tattoo – the dos and don’ts of care
Do not pick or scratch at a new tattoo, this will slow the healing time and may lead to
secondary infections.
Do not soak a tattoo in water or other solutions. If in frequent contact with water, use
a barrier cream over the site until healed.
Do not over use healing creams – only apply when the skin feels it is drying out.
Do not wear tight clothing over the tattoo, or clothing that has been washed in harsh
detergents.
Do listen to the care advice you are given by the body artist, and follow it.
Do return to the body artist as advised, or if having problems.