What are some other things I should look out for?

1. Avoid contact with other people's body fluids (saliva, sweat, etc.). Even your own sweat may irritate the piercing. Be sure to rinse the area after all exercise to remove all sweat. If you have genital piercing, use a condom during healing.

 
2. Always wear clean clothing and change bed-sheets during healing.

 
3. If the piercing is an ear piercing, clean your telephone.

 
4. Check any threaded jewellery (such as barbells) once a day to make sure the beads are screwed on tightly.

Can I remove the jewellery, even for a little while?

Do not remove your jewellery until your piercing is healed. Even then, the holes may close very quickly. If you absolutely need to remove the jewellery for a short time (such as for surgery), come in and we can put in temporary nylon retainers.

Should I take vitamin supplements?

You can take vitamin supplements (C, F, and B-complex) to help the healing process.

How can I tell if I have an infection, and what should I do?

The most obvious sight of infection is pus coming out of the piercing (although on tongue piercings, what looks like pus is often just plaque). If the pus is white, the infection is very minor, or may just be natural healing secretions. Use a mild antiseptic for a few days. If the pus is yellow, the infection is a bit more serious. If a strong antiseptic doesn't clear it up within a few days, come in and let us take a look at it. Green pus indicates a serious infection. Come in as soon as possible, and if you can't do that, see a doctor. Whatever the case, do not remove the jewellery as the holes may close around the infection, resulting in an abscess.

If I clean it more will it heal faster?

Do not over-clean. Over-cleaning will irritate the piercing and lengthen the healing time. Remember, it's not your cleaning that heals the piercing -- What you are doing is just making it easier for your body to heal.