Healing time for all piercings varies from person to person. There are some simple rules to follow regardless of the piercing location. Consider these to be staples, general guidelines, or whatever makes it easier for you to absorb as essentials to know.

1. Rule #1: Keep your dirty hands off of your new piercing. We cannot stress this enough. Germs from touching door handles, shoelaces, change off the ground and everything else is growing on your hands. As unpleasant as it is to think about, your hands are the catch-all for bacteria, so lower your chances of getting any kind of infection by simply washing your hands before you touch your piercing.
2. Rule #2: Bathe regularly. This should be a rule that goes without saying, but for the sake of your piercing, let's go ahead and say it. Shower.
3. Rule #3: Wash your bedding. Your sheets should be washed or changed at least once a week during the healing of your piercing. This helps you heal tremendously. It's something that is easy to do, and a good habit to get into anyway. For facial piercings, wrap your pillow in a clean shirt. This will give you four nights of clean surface to sleep on. First night, face up. Second night, flip over. Then again with the shirt inside out.
4. Rule #4: Change your toothbrush. For all oral piercings, a new toothbrush at the beginning of your healing then another for when you are healed is recommended. No use saving bacteria for later use. You won't be needing it.

IMPORTANT: ANY COMPLICATIONS OR SIGNS OF INFECTION SHOULD BE REPORTED IMMEDIATELY.

For your own good, be patient and faithful in your aftercare routine. Everyone is unique and healing times vary considerably. Following these instructions will help insure a fast and effective healing process. If you have any questions, please contact us. If you have difficulties, we recommend that you contact your doctor immediately. Under no circumstances should the instructions in this document be construed to supersede instructions from a licensed medical professional.

Healing time varies from person to person. The rate of infection is minimal if the aftercare is followed appropriately. It is very important to remember not to touch the piercing without first washing your hands thoroughly.

1. 1. Do NOT remove jewelry except as instructed. Many people think that jewelry can be removed after a few days or weeks. This is not true. Problems with reinsertion and with the healing process may occur if jewelry is removed too soon. If jewelry must be removed for medical reasons, call your piercer and arrange to have it removed.
2. 2. Never handle the piercing without first washing your hands thoroughly.
3. 3. Avoid being too rough with the piercing. This could traumatize the tissue at the site.
4. 4. Clean the piercing as instructed by your piercer. Do NOT use inappropriate cleaning agents.
5. 5. Avoid swimming in pools, rivers, lakes, or hot tubs until the piercing has healed. Also do not lay in tanning beds during the healing process.

Important: Any complications or signs of infection should be reported immediately. Infection is rare, however being on the body, irritation is common. To prevent irritation, care must be taken not to pull, yank, or twist the piercing during the healing process.

You must be careful of:
1. -Washing and Drying your piercing. Loofahs, sponges, towels, washcloths all have small holes or loops that can yank the jewelry.
2. -Taking clothing on and off that comes in contact with the piercing.
3. -Wearing accessories such as belts,glasses and hats that may contact your piercing.
4. -Kids and Pets. They are clumsy and curious.

*It is recommended that you stay out of a tanning bed through the healing period. Tanning beds accelerate the body’s natural functions, including bacteria growth. If you insist on tanning, you must do a full 5 minute soak before and after tanning to flush the added bacteria out. Be forewarned that exposing your new piercing to the sun and tanning beds can cause a dark ring around the piercing site.
*Moderate swimming in saltwater is fine, however, lakes, rivers, ponds, pools, and hot tubs are warmer and contain bacteria and chemicals that will irritate a new piercing and could lead to serious infection. If you insist on swimming, cover the piercing with a water-proof band-aid designed for the knees and elbows.
*A creamy white discharge is normal. Do not panic - this discharge will appear about a week into the piercing and last until healing is complete. When the discharge dries on the jewelry, it will form “crusties”. Do not squeeze your piercing to “get the white stuff out” or pick at the crusties. After soaking your piercing, gently remove them with a q-tip.

If you have any questions call us any day of the week and ask to speak with a piercer. (205) 458-9998

Cloud Nine Southside appreciates your patronage and looks forward to having you as a tattoo, or piercing, customer in the future. Please do not hesitate to let our Manager know if there is anything we can do to improve the tattoo experience here at Cloud Nine Southside. Enjoy your new tattoo!