Please provide some do's and don'ts on getting piercings safely.

Ignore: Do follow cleaning directions closely after a piercing.

Ignore: Make sure you use an experienced provider. Keep piercing clean at all times to avoid infection.

Ignore: Make sure sterile procedures are followed. Ask for post-op instruction list and follow carefully.

Ignore: Reliable salon, licensed, using only sterile, autoclaved eqipment and sterile piercings.

Do: Do make sure your piercing artist wears gloves.

Do: Do not go to piercing places that are outdoors, to limit infection risks.

Do: Do make sure the area to be pierced is wiped with alcohol or iodine.

Do: Do avoid touching the area of piercing until it is healed.

Make: Make sure your tetanus immunization is up to date before getting any piercings.

After: After getting piercing, use an antibacterial wash twice daily until area is completely healed.

Before: Before getting any piercing, be sure all the equipment to be used has been sterilized!

Piercing: Piercing Tips: Mild bleeding is normal after a new piercing – excessive bleeding is not.

Piercing: Piercing Tips: Genital piercings tend to bleed more than piercings in other locations.

Piercing: Piercing Tips: Titanium is an excellent choice for piercings because it is often better tolerated.

Piercing: Piercing Tip: New piercings are usually cleaned twice a day.

Piercing: Piercing Tip: Hydrogen Peroxide can cause tissue damaged if used to clean new piercings.

Piercing: Piercing Tip: Don't submerge your piercings in hot tub or bath tub until healed.

Piercing: Piercing Tip: New piercings – make sure that your bed linens are clean.

Piercing: Piercing Tip: Cool compress can be used to ameliorate the discomfort from a new piercing.

Piercing: Piercing Tip- You can use stream of water from shower to wash crusted material from piercing.

Piercing: Piercing Tip: Dry area around a dermal piercing carefully so it isn't accidentally pulled out.

Piercing: Piercing Tip: use non-iodonized salt when making cleaning solution for new piercings.

Lip: Lip Piercing- Have dentist check the health of the gums in front of your lower teeth.

Tongue: Tongue Piercing- Ask dentist to check for damage to the gum behind your lower front teeth.

Piercing: Piercing Tips: If your ear is hot, red, swollen or has increasing pain you need medical evaluation.

101.: Before piercing an infant's ears, consider that jewelry is easy to swallow.

Piercing: Piercing Tips- Use a long barbell initially for a tongue piercing due to potential for swelling.

Piercing: Piercing Problems: Children can aspirate earrings – use of a screw back or locking back is safest.

Ignore: Make sure the needle used is packaged in a separate sterile container.

Ignore: Do not do piercings yourself. Always get them done by professionals who use sterile technique.

Ignore: Get piercings by doctor or other reputable provider. Keep pierced area clean. Watch for infections.

Be: Be certain all equipment used is sterile, one use only equipment; if not sure, go elsewhere!

Ignore: Go to a professional Limit your piercings Stay away from the cartilage of the ear and the tongue.

Ignore: Don't attempt to do yourself. Do make sure you have this done with sterile technique.

Ignore: Make sure the procedure is done in a reliable place using proper hygiene techniques.

Ignore: Do go to a reputable clean place that performs several piercings a day under sterile conditions.