Piercing Aftercare

At Arvada Tattoo Collective, this is our recommended aftercare for all piercings and jewelry types. Every piercer has their own preferences, and these guidelines reflect what we recommend for the best, healthiest results. If you ever have any questions or concerns during your healing process, don’t hesitate to message your piercer directly or call/text the shop anytime at 303-918-7827 — we’re always happy to help you take care of your new piercing.

Basic Piercing Instructions!

Always wash your hands thoroughly before touching your piercing. Avoid twisting, turning, or playing with the jewelry — unnecessary movement can cause irritation and prolong healing.

Clean the area twice daily with a sterile saline solution (available at most drugstores) or a piercing aftercare spray. Spray directly onto the piercing and allow it to soak for a few minutes. You can also use a clean, disposable paper towel or sterile gauze pad to gently remove any dried discharge. Do not use alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or harsh soaps — these can dry out and damage healing tissue.

Avoid submerging your piercing in pools, lakes, or hot tubs for at least two weeks. Showers are fine, but make sure to rinse thoroughly afterward to remove any soap residue.

Do not apply ointments or creams, as these can trap bacteria and prevent airflow to the piercing.

During healing, it’s normal to see some redness, tenderness, clear fluid, or light crusting. Do not pick or scratch the area — let any buildup come off naturally during cleaning.

Avoid sleeping directly on your new piercing and try not to bump or snag it with clothing, hair, or accessories. Always be careful when changing clothes, brushing hair, or putting on headphones or hats near fresh piercings.

Healing times vary depending on the piercing location and your personal healing process:

Earlobes, tongues, and septums generally take about 1 month to heal.
Cartilage piercings in the ears and nose typically take 2–3 months to fully heal.
Navel or belly button piercings are the slowest to heal, usually taking 6–9 months to fully heal.

If you notice excessive redness, swelling, pain, or pus-like discharge, contact your piercer or a healthcare professional.

Jewelry Changes!

Jewelry changes can generally be done at half the total healing time for each piercing. For example, if a piercing takes two months to fully heal, jewelry can usually be safely changed after one month — provided there are no signs of irritation or sensitivity.

Always have your jewelry changed by a professional piercer to avoid damage, infection, or premature closure. Do not force jewelry in or out, and avoid switching materials until your piercing is fully healed.

If you ever need help, I can assist with jewelry changes at the shop — I have all the tools needed to make sure everything is handled safely and correctly. Jewelry changes are free for returning clients, and $10 for new clients to cover sterilization costs.

If you can see redness or irritation around the base of the piercing, it’s a sign that your skin is still healing — in that case, it’s not ready to be switched just yet. Give it a bit more time, and check back in with your piercer before changing anything.

If you’re ever unsure whether your piercing is ready for a change, swing by the shop or text us a clear photo — we’re always happy to check for you.

Things to Look out for!

Most piercings heal smoothly, but it’s important to recognize when something doesn’t look quite right. Keep an eye out for the following signs, and reach out if you notice any of them:

Persistent redness or swelling — mild redness is normal early on, but if it continues or worsens, your piercing might be irritated or infected.
Yellow or green discharge — clear or slightly white fluid is fine; thick, colored, or foul-smelling discharge isn’t.
Pain, heat, or throbbing — some tenderness is expected, but sharp pain, burning, or warmth can be a warning sign.
Irritation bumps, migration, or rejection — if your jewelry looks like it’s shifting, sinking, or forming a bump, it’s best to come in and have it checked.
Fever or spreading redness — if you feel unwell or see red streaks radiating from the piercing, contact a healthcare professional right away.

If you’re ever unsure whether something looks normal, message your piercer or call/text the shop at 303-918-7827 — we’d rather help you early than have you tough it out alone.