The Lark & Berry Commitment to Your Piercing Journey

Congratulations on your new piercing from Lark & Berry! We understand that a piercing is more than just an adornment; it is a personal statement. Our highly specialised piercers prioritise your safety and satisfaction above all. Before any procedure, they will assess the suitability of a piercing for your specific ear anatomy, ensuring the chosen placement is viable for optimal healing and aesthetic results.

Following your piercing, you will receive a complimentary aftercare package containing recommended products, and your piercer will thoroughly explain the correct aftercare procedure. Proper aftercare is paramount to ensure swift healing, prevent complications, and preserve the beauty of your chosen piece. As pioneers in using lab-grown diamonds and gemstones for fine piercing jewellery, we understand the importance of caring for these precious, ethical stones alongside your new piercing. This guide will reinforce the essential steps, but remember, for any questions or concerns during your healing, we are always available via email at hello@larkandberry.com. For further information, you can also explore our Piercing FAQs or book an appointment for in-person advice.

Your Lark & Berry Piercing: Initial Care & Jewellery Details

We take several steps to ensure your initial piercing experience and healing are as smooth and comfortable as possible:

• Specialised Jewellery: For stud piercings, we utilise push-back flat backs. These are not only incredibly secure but also designed for comfort, especially when sleeping. The push-back mechanism makes the initial piercing process quicker and involves less trauma compared to traditional screw-on backs.
• Optimal Sizing for Healing: We typically recommend piercing with an 8mm post initially. This allows ample space for any initial swelling. Once your piercing has healed sufficiently, we encourage you to return so we can downsize the post to a 6mm (or other appropriate size) for a perfect, snug fit. This is a complimentary part of our service, which you can arrange by booking a follow-up.
• Guided Aftercare: As mentioned, your piercer will provide detailed, personalised aftercare instructions and your take-home kit. This guide serves as a comprehensive reminder of those crucial steps.

Understanding the Healing Process

Healing times can vary significantly based on the piercing placement and individual factors. Generally, you can expect:

• Initial Stage (First Few Weeks): Some redness, swelling, tenderness, and minor discharge (clear or whitish) are normal. The initial 8mm post in your Lark & Berry jewellery helps accommodate this.
• Mid-Stage (Several Weeks to Months): Redness and tenderness should subside. The piercing may appear healed on the outside, but the internal tissue is still regenerating. Continue diligent aftercare. This is often when downsizing your jewellery post may be considered.
• Final Stage (Months to a Year+): The piercing is fully healed inside and out. You can usually change jewellery more freely, but always with clean hands and high-quality pieces.

Refer to our Piercing Healing Time Chart for more specific timelines for different placements like lobes versus cartilage.

Your Essential Daily Aftercare Routine

Consistency is key for a healthy piercing. Follow this routine twice daily, as explained by your Lark & Berry piercing professional and outlined in your aftercare package:

1. Wash Your Hands Thoroughly: Before touching your piercing or jewellery, always wash your hands with soap and water.
2. Cleanse with Sterile Saline Solution:
   • Use the pre-packaged sterile saline solution provided in your Lark & Berry aftercare kit, or a similar high-quality, non-iodised sea salt mixture (1/4 teaspoon of non-iodised sea salt per 250ml of boiled and cooled water).
   • Gently spray the solution directly onto the front and back of the piercing, or soak a clean, non-woven gauze or paper towel and apply as a compress for a few minutes.
   • This helps to remove any dried discharge and soothe the area.
3. Gently Pat Dry: Use a fresh, disposable paper towel or non-woven gauze to gently pat the area dry. Avoid cloth towels, as they can harbour bacteria and snag on jewellery.
4. Do Not Twist or Turn Jewellery: Avoid rotating, twisting, or moving your jewellery unnecessarily, as this can irritate the healing tissue and introduce bacteria. The initial Lark & Berry piercing jewellery, with its secure flat back, is designed for optimal healing without needing adjustment.

What to Avoid During Healing

• Touching: Avoid touching your piercing except when cleaning.
• Harsh Products: Do not use alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, antibacterial soaps, or ointments unless specifically advised by a medical professional for an infection. These can be too harsh and delay healing.
• Swimming: Avoid swimming in pools, hot tubs, lakes, or oceans during the initial healing period, as these waters can contain bacteria. If unavoidable, use a waterproof wound sealant bandage.
• Pressure & Friction: Be mindful of sleeping on your new piercing (our flat-back studs are designed to minimise discomfort), using telephones, wearing headphones, or tight clothing that might rub against it.
• Changing Jewellery Prematurely: Do not change your initial jewellery until your piercer confirms it is fully healed and has performed any necessary downsizing (e.g., from an 8mm to a 6mm post). Our high-quality, nickel-free 14k gold is ideal for the entire healing duration.

Caring for Your Lark & Berry Lab-Grown Gemstones During Aftercare

Lark & Berry is proud to be the first fine piercing jeweller to exclusively use lab-grown diamonds and coloured gemstones (like our exquisite lab-grown emeralds, rubies, and sapphires) in our piercing collections. These stones are physically and chemically identical to their mined counterparts and require similar care to maintain their sparkle, especially during the aftercare period.

• Gentle Cleaning: The saline solution used for cleaning your piercing is generally safe for your lab-grown gemstones. Ensure it is rinsed away during cleaning to prevent any residue build-up.
• Avoid Product Build-up: Be mindful of hair products, lotions, or cosmetics accumulating around your piercing jewellery, as this can dull the sparkle of your gemstones. Cleanse the area as advised.
• Handle with Care: Whilst our lab-grown gemstones are durable, avoid snagging or knocking your jewellery, which is good practice for any fine piece.

You can learn more about the beauty and characteristics of lab-grown diamonds on our informational pages.

Recommended Aftercare Products

Simplicity is often best for piercing aftercare. Your Lark & Berry aftercare package will contain suitable products. Generally, we, along with many dermatologists and professional piercers, recommend:

• Sterile Saline Solution: This is the gold standard. Look for sprays specifically formulated for wound wash or piercing aftercare, containing only sodium chloride (salt) and purified water, with no additives.
• Gentle, Fragrance-Free Soap: For cleaning your hands before touching the piercing. A mild, liquid soap is ideal.
• Non-Woven Gauze or Paper Towels: For drying, as they are less likely to leave fibres behind or snag jewellery compared to cotton wool or cloth towels.

Some individuals may find specialist piercing aftercare balms or gels beneficial for soothing, particularly in later healing stages, but always ensure these are from reputable brands and suitable for your skin type. Always consult your Lark & Berry piercer (you can email us at hello@larkandberry.com) if you are considering additional products not included in your initial aftercare kit.

Normal Healing vs. Potential Issues

It is important to distinguish between normal signs of healing and indicators of a problem:

• Normal Healing: Slight redness, swelling, tenderness, itching, and clear/whitish discharge (lymph) that forms crusties. These symptoms should gradually decrease.
• Potential Irritation: Increased redness, persistent itching, or discomfort often caused by physical trauma (snagging), harsh cleaning products, or pressure.
• Potential Infection: Significant pain, excessive swelling, hot to the touch, thick yellow/green pus (not clear lymph), foul odour, fever. If you suspect an infection, it is crucial to learn how to distinguish infection vs. irritation and seek advice.

Long-Term Care for Your Piercing & Jewellery

Once fully healed, continue to keep your piercing and jewellery clean to prevent build-up and maintain hygiene. Gently clean your Lark & Berry lab-grown diamond and gemstone jewellery regularly with a soft brush and mild soap solution to keep it sparkling. For more detailed advice, see our jewellery cleaning guide.

Our commitment at Lark & Berry is to provide not only stunning, ethically sourced piercing jewellery but also the guidance and support you need for a safe and beautiful piercing experience from start to finish. Do not hesitate to book a follow-up appointment or email us at hello@larkandberry.com if you have any concerns at any stage of your healing journey or beyond.