Piercing Aftercare

The Potion Bar’s Very Handy Aftercare Instructions (ears)

Healing Timeline (mostly for lobes)

Everyone heals differently. Consider this a guideline rather than hard-and-fast rules.
Visit us any time for us to take a peek at your piercing, regardless of when you were pierced. 

Book a Follow-Up Visit Here

Week 1

Your holes are fresh. Swelling, redness, and bleeding are totally normal. Clear, light white, or yellow drainage is also normal. 

Day 3 is peak swelling day! Don’t fret, take an Advil!

*Green drainage is not good: stop in and see us if it’s green.

Weeks 2-4

Healing. Yellow crusties will form, don’t pick them, and don’t touch them!

Week 4 

Visit us for a post-piercing consult; we’ll book this with you on piercing day

Week 5

Matured. The redness should be nearly gone. Keep cleaning and babying your piercing.

Week 8-12

Downsize time! Come say hi!

Anything pierced in cartilage can take 6-12 months to heal completely, and we won’t rush a jewelry change if your body is still healing.

Folks with autoimmune disorders (Crohn’s, diabetes, etc.), and high-stress lifestyles: it can take longer than average to heal. Keep on top of hydration, and visit us often. 

Caring for Your New Ear Piercings

  • Spray 2-3x daily with sterile saline solution. There is no need to rinse off the spray: pay dry with gauze or a clean towel
  • You can also rinse 2x a day with saline solution (preferably sterile).
  • Keep it dry: after a shower or saline, blow dry your ears; they’ll be so happy
  • Do not turn/twist jewelry, and DON’T pick at your crusties
  • Avoid chlorinated pools, spas, or lakes
  • Be sure not to sleep on your piercing (we recommend a travel pillow for side sleepers)
  • Every other day, with clean freshly washed hands, pinch your jewelry to ensure threadless pieces are intact

IF YELLOW DRAINAGE PERSISTS AFTER A MONTH: Visit us!

Avoid Trouble 🙁

  • Sleeping on, or bumping the piercing will slow healing and cause irritation bumps to form
  • Don’t touch or rotate your piercing
  • If you’re showering or washing your hair at night, dry your hair!
  • Warm chamomile tea bag compress soaks reduces bumps and increases blood flow
  • Low karat/quality gold or sterling silver can be the culprit: don’t change things yourself before it’s healed; we will shame you.
  • Keep it dry, leave it the Hell alone (LITHA)
  • KEEP YOUR JEWELRY IN, even if it’s giving you trouble. Removing it can cause fluid buildup, and you guessed it, bumps.
  • Keep your follow-up appointments

Avoid using the following to clean your piercings:

  • Peroxide
  • Rubbing alcohol
  • Dettol
  • Betadine
  • Mouth wash
  • Aspirin paste can cause a chemical burn!
  • Harsh products will harm your piercing!

TL;DR: Don’t put anything on it that isn’t the saline we sold you at the store

Remember: Not everything is a keloid! And we love visiting with you, so don’t be shy about booking a follow up 🙂