Hints for particular areas

Navel:

• Avoid tight, cinching belts and waistbands and inflexible clothing on the area during healing.
• A hard, vented eye patch (sold at pharmacies) can be applied under tight clothing (such as nylon stockings) or secured using a length of Ace bandage around the body (to avoid irritation from adhesive). This can protect the area from restrictive clothing, excess irritation, and impact during physical activities such as contact sports.

Ear, Ear Cartilage and Facial:

• Shield piercings from hairspray and avoid getting lotion, makeup and other foreign substances in piercings.
• Make sure pillow cases are clean and changed frequently.
• Clean your telephone receiver with a disinfectant and avoid contact with public telephones.

Nipple:

• It is advisable to sleep in a cotton tank top or t-shirt especially if you have any pets that get on or in your bed. Many women find sleeping in a bra or sports bra to be comfortable with a healing nipple piercing.

Genital:

• Sexual activity isn’t prohibited, it must be hygienic.
• Listen to your body. If something feels sore, it means you need to ease up or stop for the time being. Use condoms (without nonoxynol 9) and dental dams for all sexual contact to prevent sharing of bodily fluids. This is required even if you are in a monogamous relationship. It is mandatory for your health and safety during the entire minimum initial healing time.
• Pleasure Plus condoms have extra room for jewelry.
• Use water-based lubricants such as KY Jelly.