PRICKED Piercing Aftercare
Taking care of your new piercing is just as important as getting it! Proper aftercare helps prevent irritation, promotes healing, and keeps your jewelry looking great. Check out our tips below to keep your piercing happy and healthy!

​FREE Check-Ups & Downsizing
—Even if PRICKED Piercing Didn't Pierce You!​
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We pierce with slightly longer posts to allow for initial swelling and ensure a comfortable healing process.
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If swelling exceeds the post we use, visit us as soon as possible to have a longer post inserted.​
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Once there’s no more redness, swelling, discharge, flaking, or irritation, your piercing is ready for a complimentary post-downsizing!
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​*We carry pushpin flatback posts only. If you were pierced elsewhere and are unsure, one of our piercers will be happy to check for you.
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Have questions or concerns? Stop in for a free check-up with our experts, no appointment necessary—we're here to help at every stage of your healing journey!

DO: Proper Aftercare for Happy Piercings
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Clean with Sterile Saline:
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Use saline spray 2-3 times daily to keep your piercing clean and irritation-free.
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Our team at PRICKED Piercing recommends our fine mist, sterile saline as the gold standard for aftercare.
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Protect while sleeping​:
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Side-sleepers - use a Pricked piercing pillow, travel pillow, or rolled up blanket to take pressure off your ear.​
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DON'T: What to Avoid with Your Piercings
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No Sleeping on Piercings:
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Direct pressure can cause swelling, bleeding, and irritation. It can also alter the angle the piercing heals in the ear.
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No Touching, Rotating, or Twisting Your Jewelry:
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Twisting/rotating jewelry is outdated information and doing so can damage the healing tissue and introduce bacteria.
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Don’t Remove Jewelry if There’s an Issue:
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Concerned about a piercing? Schedule a complimentary checkup with one of our experts at PRICKED Piercing—we’re here to help, even if we didn't pierce you!
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No Submerging in Water:
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Avoid oceans, lakes, or pools for at least 2-3 weeks to prevent infection.
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About our Jewelry
Threadless (pushpin) Flatbacks
We use high-quality threadless flatbacks with implant-grade titanium posts for the piercings at PRICKED Piercing. These are:​
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Gauge Size: 16G
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Jewelry Length: 8mm or 10mm
​This ensures a secure fit but also promotes safe and long-term healing for your piercings.
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Advanced Piercing Jewelry
These include internally threaded barbells and industrial bars and seamless clicker hoops.
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Clickers and Barbells - Gauge Size: 16G
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Industrial Bars - Gauge Size: 14G
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Clicker Diameter: 8mm or 10mm​
READY! Time to Change Your Jewelry
Nervous about your first jewelry change? For just $10, our experts at PRICKED Piercing in Madison, WI, will swap out your jewelry—quick, painless, and perfectly styled!
*Jewelry changes are only available for pieces purchased at PRICKED.