The healing process is divided into two parts.

During the initial healing phase, the piercing must epithelialize -form new skin cells along the inside of the piercing, to protect the body from the foreign object. This process usually takes 6 to 8 weeks, unless the body rejects the jewelry.

The healing process may also be delayed if the piercing is fitted with jewelry of inappropriate design, gauge, or diameter/length. If the piercing is migrating or rejecting, it is in a continual state of non-healing. During the initial healing phase. the piercing is open to infection and disease transmission - thus daily cleansing is essential.

The healing phase is characterized by an off-white, sticky discharge of plasma which dries to a crusty formation around the piercing entrances. There may be slight redness around the holes, swelling immediately around the piercing, and some tenderness; these symptoms should steadily subside during the first few weeks.

During the second and third month, the piercing may feel tight around the jewelry. The entrances of the piercing should start to round inwards, much like a donut hole. This indicates that the piercing has formed its epithelium; the new skin around the inside of the piercing. The newly formed skin can easily be dislodged, so you should not force the jewelry to rotate without first applying a proper cleaning solution and warm water. The piercing may need to soak in warm water to allow the skin to expand so that the jewelry can be rotated.

If you plan to keep your piercing, do not remove your jewelry for any length of time during the healing process. If a jewelry change is needed due to a metal sensitivity or dimension concerns, an insertion taper should be used to keep it open. Some jewelry switches can be executed by pushing the old jewelry out with the new jewelry.

The second phase of healing involves seasoning or toughening of the newly healed tissue, so that it is the same as the skin outside the piercing. Most body piercings require at least a year or two before they can be left empty without the risk of growing closed. After the piercing has toughened, it would probably not grow closed if jewelry is not worn for a length of time, but it may shrink considerably, in which case stretching with an insertion taper is required to reinsert the jewelry.

KELOIDS
Keloids are thick, puckered, itchy clusters of scar tissue that grow beyond the edges of the wound or the incision. They are often red or darker in color than the surrounding skin. Keloids occur when the body continues to produce the tough, fibrous protein known as Collagen after a wound has healed. Keloids can appear any where on the body. They appear more often in dark skinned people than in those with fair skin. The tendency to develop keloids lessens with age. No matter what approach is taken, keloids have a stubborn tendency to recur, sometimes even larger than before.

Please take care in changing your own jewelry as it can easily be scratched, bent or stripped.

Warning
For health reasons, jewelry may not be returned or exchanged.