Healing is part of the piercing.
General guidance only - always follow the specific aftercare instructions given at your appointment, and come back to us first if anything looks or feels wrong.
Do
Wash your hands before ever touching a fresh piercing.
Rinse with a sterile saline soak, 1-2 times a day. Let it air dry.
Change pillowcases often, and keep hair pulled back at night.
Clean your phone screen regularly if it touches your facial piercings.
Don't
Don't rotate, twist, or spin the jewelry - it doesn't speed healing, it slows it.
Don't use alcohol, peroxide, or fragranced products on a healing piercing.
Don't swim in pools, hot tubs, lakes, or oceans until fully healed.
Don't change jewelry yourself before the piercing has fully healed.
Typical Healing Times
Ranges vary by individual. A piercing can feel healed on the surface well before it's healed inside - give it the full window before changing jewelry.
Frequently Asked
Does it hurt?
Most placements are a quick, sharp pressure rather than lasting pain - cartilage tends to ache a bit longer than soft tissue like lobes or nostrils. We'll walk you through exactly what to expect before we start.
How should I prepare?
Eat a real meal beforehand, stay hydrated, and skip alcohol and blood thinners for 24 hours prior. Bring a valid photo ID.
Can I switch jewelry early?
We'd rather you wait than risk a downgrade. If jewelry needs to come out sooner for medical or professional reasons, come in - we'll fit something appropriate rather than leave it empty.
My piercing looks irritated - is that normal?
Some redness and clear-to-white fluid are normal in the first weeks. Ongoing heat, spreading redness, or colored discharge is not - come back in and we'll take a look, no appointment needed.
Do you pierce minors?
Yes, for select placements, with a parent or legal guardian present for the consultation and the appointment, per North Carolina law.
Do you take walk-ins?
When the schedule allows, yes - but booking ahead guarantees your spot and a longer consultation