Piercing Aftercare
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- Always wash your hands before touching your jewellery.
- Clean your piercing twice daily using the aftercare solution recommended by 12AM.
- After showering or cleaning your piercing, gently pat the area dry using a clean cotton bud. Fresh piercings should not be left damp during the initial healing period.
- Avoid twisting, rotating or unnecessarily handling your jewellery.
- Sleep carefully and avoid pressure on fresh piercings where possible.
- Avoid swimming, hot tubs and submerging your piercing during the initial healing period.
- Continue wearing your jewellery throughout healing. Removing it too early can cause the piercing to close or interrupt healing.
- Avoid alcohol, hydrogen peroxide and other harsh antiseptics, as these can irritate the piercing and delay healing.
- Keep make up, skincare, hairspray and perfume away from fresh piercings
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During the first few weeks you may experience:
- Mild swelling
- Tenderness
- Redness
- Clear or pale discharge
- Light crusting
- These are all a normal part of healing.
If you're ever unsure, please contact us before attempting to treat the piercing yourself.
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If you’re flying shortly after your appointment, please let us know beforehand. We may recommend using Fucidin ointment as an additional protective barrier to help reduce the risk of bacteria entering the piercing while travelling.
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If your piercing has been knocked, becomes irritated or develops a bump, please contact us as soon as possible. Early treatment is often the quickest and easiest way to resolve irritation.
We don’t recommend self-treating piercing bumps without guidance, as the cause isn’t always the same. We’ll assess your piercing and recommend the most appropriate treatment for your situation.
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Healing varies from person to person, but as a general guide please visit our “Piercing types” section. For estimated healing times for each placement.
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Lobes
Generally the quickest ear piercing to heal and ideal for building the foundation of your curation.
Cartilage Piercings
(Helix, Forward Helix, Flat, Tragus, Conch, Rook, Daith)
Cartilage naturally heals more slowly than the lobe and is more sensitive to pressure. Avoid sleeping on the piercing where possible and attend your recommended downsizing appointment to support healing.
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Your initial jewellery is intentionally fitted with a longer post (8mm) to allow room for swelling during the early stages of healing.
As the swelling settles, this extra length is no longer needed.
Downsizing replaces the longer post with a shorter one (6mm), improving comfort, reducing movement and supporting long-term healing.
We typically recommend returning 4–8 weeks after your appointment, depending on the piercing and how it's healing.
Downsizing isn't optional - it's an important part of the piercing process and helps ensure the best long-term result.
