How to Make Your Tooth Gem Last

Ready to add some sparkle to your smile? Tooth gems have become a popular trend for adding a touch of something special to your already brilliant smile. These tiny crystals can enhance your smile and are sure to start a conversation. However, to ensure that your tooth gem stays in place and maintains its shine, it's essential to take proper care of it. Here are seven tips to help you make your tooth gem last longer and tips on how to choose your tooth gem practitioner wisely for the best possible outcome. 

• Choose Quality Materials

When getting a tooth gem, prioritize quality. Your tooth gem specialist should opt for dental-grade materials that are safe for your teeth and gums. High-quality gems are less likely to lose their shine or cause any damage to your teeth, and because of this, they should only be lead free Swarovski crystals. Cheaper rhinestones will leave a silver backing adhered on the tooth once the gem falls off, whereas higher quality stones leave no trace and only the composite used to bond it to the tooth is left behind. 

• Professional Application

Always have your tooth gem applied by a trained professional. They have the expertise and tools to safely bond the gem to your tooth surface without causing any harm. DIY kits may seem convenient, but they often lack the precision and safety assurances of professional application. Someone who is trained professionally to do this service will also have the required PPE and sanitation products to give you the safest and most sanitized experience possible. 

• Avoid Hard Foods    

To prolong the life of your tooth gem, steer clear of chewing hard, sticky, or excessively crunchy foods that can put too much pressure on it and pop the gem off. Chewing on ice, hard candies, or sticky sweets can dislodge the gem or cause it to chip. Stick to a soft diet, especially in the initial days after getting the gem. A good rule of thumb is following aftercare similar to that of patients who wear braces.

• Practice Good Oral Hygiene

 Maintaining excellent oral hygiene is crucial for preserving your tooth gem. Brush your teeth gently twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Floss daily to remove plaque and debris from between your teeth. Keeping your mouth clean reduces the risk of bacterial buildup around the gem, which can lead to discoloration or decay.

• Be Mindful When Flossing

When flossing around the tooth with the gem, take extra care. Use a gentle back-and-forth motion and avoid tugging or pulling at the gem. Flossing aggressively can dislodge the gem or weaken its bond with your tooth.

• Avoid Teeth-Staining Substances

Certain substances can stain your tooth gem over time, diminishing its sparkle. Minimize your consumption of coffee, tea, red wine, and dark-colored foods that can leave stains on your teeth. If you do indulge, rinse your mouth with water afterward to reduce the risk of staining the composite beneath the gem as well as the enamel surrounding it. 

• Regular Dental Check-ups

Schedule regular dental exams and cleanings to ensure that your mouth is healthy overall, and that your tooth gem is in good condition and properly bonded to your tooth. Your dentist can detect any issues early on and provide necessary maintenance to keep your gem looking its best. After the life of your tooth gem, the remaining composite may also need to be removed by a dental professional. Though it won’t be too visible, you will be able to feel it with your tongue and it will not be able to be removed at home or by your tooth gem practitioner. 

By following these tips and practicing good oral care habits, you can extend the lifespan of your tooth gem and enjoy a dazzling smile for longer. Remember, proper maintenance is key to keeping your new addition looking fabulous. 

Interested in becoming a tooth gem practitioner? Bold Beauty Company has classes coming Summer 2024 to learn this new service and bring a range of clients into your beauty business! We can’t wait to meet you.

Why Caffeine and Alcohol Don’t Mix with Tattoos

Getting a tattoo is an experience that can make you feel both excited and nervous. Whether it's your first tattoo, or you're adding to your collection, there are certain precautions you should take to ensure the best outcome. One of these precautions involves being mindful of what you consume before your tattoo appointment, particularly substances like caffeine and alcohol.

Here's why you might want to skip that morning coffee or evening cocktail before getting inked:

• Blood Flow and Bleeding

 Caffeine and alcohol both have an impact on your body's blood flow. Caffeine is a stimulant that can increase heart rate and blood pressure, while alcohol is a vasodilator, meaning it widens blood vessels. These effects can lead to increased bleeding during the tattooing process. Excessive bleeding not only makes it harder for the artist to work, but can also affect the outcome of the tattoo, potentially causing ink to spread or leading to an uneven or patchy appearance once healed.

• Pain Perception

 Tattoos range from easy to difficult to withstand depending on the area of the body they’re placed on. Certain substances can make the experience even more uncomfortable. Caffeine, with its stimulating properties, can heighten your sensitivity to pain, making the tattooing process feel more intense. Similarly, alcohol can dull your senses, but it can also make you more sensitive to pain once its effects wear off. By avoiding both substances, you give yourself the best chance of tolerating the discomfort more easily.

• Hydration Levels

Both caffeine and alcohol consumption lead to dehydration. Caffeine is a diuretic, meaning it increases urine production and can lead to fluid loss. Alcohol also has a dehydrating effect on the body. Proper hydration is essential for the healing process post-tattoo, as it helps the skin recover and promotes optimal ink retention. By avoiding caffeine and alcohol, you can help ensure that your body is adequately hydrated before, during, and after your tattoo session. Make sure you’re drinking lots of water and supplementing with electrolytes prior to your tattoo appointment. 

• Clarity and Decision-Making

Getting a tattoo is a significant decision, because short of having laser treatments to remove it which is painful and can cause scarring, it’s permanent.  It's essential to approach it with a clear mind. Both caffeine and alcohol can alter your cognitive function and decision-making abilities. Specifically, alcohol can impair your judgment and reasoning. Making decisions about the design, placement, and size of your tattoo is best done with a sober and focused mind to avoid any potential regrets down the line. We’ve all fallen into the trap of saying yes to things we otherwise may not after a few drinks, no judgment here! 

• Overall Health and Healing

Tattoos are essentially minor wounds to the skin, and your body's ability to heal properly is crucial for achieving the best results. Caffeine and alcohol can both have negative effects on your immune system and overall health, which may impede the healing process. By avoiding these substances before your tattoo appointment, you give your body the best chance to heal efficiently and minimize the risk of complications such as infection or a longer healing time. 

If you’re looking to learn how to tattoo, be sure and check out our Tattoo Academy for a great start to building the foundations as a new tattoo artist!

In conclusion, while it may be tempting to indulge in your morning cup of coffee or a drink before getting a tattoo, it's best to resist the temptation. By avoiding both of these substances, you are sure to have the best possible outcome from your healed ink. Remember, your tattoo is a permanent addition to your body, so it's worth taking the necessary steps to ensure that the process goes as smoothly as possible. Your future self will thank you for it when you get to enjoy a lifetime of wearing beautiful art on your body! 

If you’re looking for your next tattoo, whether big or small, our artists at Bold Beauty Company would love the opportunity to bring your vision to life! We have a variety of artists all specializing in different things, and we promise it’ll be the most fun you’ve had in getting tattooed. Come pay us a visit and check out our Instagram for more!

The Lash Industry is Dying!

We’ve all seen the viral “news” on Tik Tok- “The Lash Industry is Dying!” Lash artists, none of you need to panic. Here are our thoughts on why this is trending right now, and reasons that you don’t need to be scared if your heart is still fully aligned with providing this service for your clients. 

With the ever-increasing gap between wages and the growing cost of living, particularly in America, it is true that some services are no longer as affordable for the average person as they once were. We’ve all felt the defeat in filling up our gas tanks or bringing home just a few items from the grocery store, and looking at the receipt like, “how in the hell did that just cost me $150?” When looking at the beauty service industry, a lot of these services provided are considered luxury services. While many of them, including nails, hair, lashes, and permanent makeup, aren’t necessities, they can add value to one’s life simply for the increased ease of getting ready in the morning, which to some is well worth the price tag. That being said, eyelash extensions have always been, and will always be, a luxury service. 

It may be harsh to say, but… there are aspects of the lash industry that need to die. There, I said it. This is not a service where clients are trading money only to receive the outcome of terrible reactions to adhesive, damaged natural lashes, or any other negative side effect that can come when eyelash extensions are done poorly. These are people’s eyes that we are working with! 

when someone asks us if there is still a need for true lash artists.

Unfortunately, with the boom of the lash industry in the last 15 years, this brought out an opportunity for people to earn money in an “easy” or “fast” way. Just have a look at the large  handful of people that are looked up to in this industry, boasting about how they started a “six figure beauty business” in such a short time. Marketing any service, especially a luxury one, to service providers as a “quick and easy way” to make six figures is just… not good. For many reasons. 

There are many people, licensed beauty professionals or not, who fell victim to buying into this belief that they could learn a service such as eyelash extensions, for as little of an up front investment as possible. They then would gather products at the lowest overhead they could, and plan to capitalize on that newly acquired skill set to bring in thousands of dollars- without ever taking the time to master the art of the trade. This is around the time that people also decided they wanted to remove themselves from the service provider chair, and realized their hourly rate would expand greatly if they became educators- without having even invested a real chunk of their time into performing the service themselves.

Cue the next few years of madness in the lash industry. This became a problem for two reasons. 1) Not everyone is meant to do this service, let alone do it well. 2) Not everyone is meant to be an educator, particularly for a service that can have a really negative impact on clients if it isn’t taken seriously and performed meticulously. Eyelash extensions seem simple at first, but the truth is, there is just so much to this- and it is an art that many have taken seriously to perfect. 

To those lash artists who have invested so much time and money, as well as hands on hours into mastering this art- we see you. YOU are the providers we need in this industry. You give your clients so much more than just walking out of your salon looking pretty. You’re gifting them your time, energy, and a long-lasting form of art that they can wear proudly every day. 

Not all Educators are Created Equally.

To those who took one class and decided to throw together a business model as a fast track to “six figures” without a care in the world of your future client’s eye and lash health, or the importance of the level of education you’re providing to your students- we see you too. Not cute. 

Lash artists with a strong clientele and years of invested time into this career, we hope that you know that this industry is not dying. If anything, now is the perfect time for you to separate yourself from those just looking to make a quick buck. Your clients come to you for your heart, your skills, and the care that you pour into every appointment, and as long as they are able to budget you into their life, you’re not going anywhere. We promise. 

Another reason that “the lash industry is dying” is that there has been a huge influx of “DIY” lash extension kits sold worldwide. All that has really happened here is the accessibility to better quality temporary lashes, in other words, the strip lash industry has evolved. Anyone who has worn truly wonderful eyelash extensions and have been properly educated by their providers on natural lash health, certainly will not confuse the at-home lashes with the quality service that is provided in a professional setting. 

So, because of the state of our economy, will everyone be able to afford the kind of quality that you provide? No. But will you soon be obsolete? Also no. This is your opportunity to provide a greater level of care to your clients, to make their hard earned money easy to spend with you. The clients that are meant for you will stand by your side and truly see your value. And as an artist with 9 years dedicated to this craft, who still loves it immensely, I see you. Keep going, and don’t let the Tik Tok buzzwords scare you away from your true passion.

Bold Beauty Company was founded with the intention to create community in an ever competitive and sometimes yucky industry- and we’ve done just that. Whether you’re looking to expand your education in the world of lash extensions, buy products from a women owned and ran company focusing on quality, or simply need some encouraging advice - we’ve got you, and we’d love the opportunity to be a part of your business.

For the misfits and the outcasts: you have a home here.

Written by Lanna of Bold Beauty Company

Lash Adhesive 101: How to Choose the Right Lash Adhesive

Lash adhesives have come a long way since the industry has grown tremendously over the last 15 years. Very few were available at first, and all seemed to be incredibly fume-y and very strong with retention that was nothing to write home about. Because of advancements in the industry, we now have access to different options as lash artists, that allow us to give clients a custom experience that is comfortable and safe. There are many myths about eyelash extension adhesives, and it’s time that we break through some of those to get to the root of understanding the products that we are using on a daily basis. Whether you are a new lash artist or have many years in the field, keep reading to learn all about adhesives and how, if we choose the right one, it can do a lot of the work FOR you while you lash. 

Lash Adhesive Types 

There are 3 types of eyelash extension adhesives available on the market currently. The first is the one we started with, and the one that many still love- black adhesive. The next came about a few years later and is the holy grail for experienced artists- clear adhesive. The third is one that deserves some conversation around because it is not widely used, nor should it be- sensitive adhesive. 

Environmental Factors 

One big factor in the way that our lash adhesives cure is their relative environment. This includes how/ where the bottle of adhesive is stored, and also the temperature and relative humidity of your lashing space. Ideally, temperatures in your room or studio should be kept between about 72 and 77 degrees while you are lashing for best results. In storing your adhesive, there are many modern day solutions to keep it fresh for longer than the original 4 weeks. Be sure you are storing your opened bottle of adhesive upright with the cap screwed on tightly. The use of air tight jars and silica beads come in clutch for this purpose- and you can find them through many different lash supply companies. Next, we’ll touch upon humidity individually, as it is a huge factor in the dry time of adhesives. 

Dry Time and Curing Process

Once you have a basic understanding of how the main ingredient in lash adhesives, cyanoacrylate, completes its hardening phase - a process called “curing”, a lot will click for you in the art of lashing. Cyanoacrylate cures when introduced to moisture. Because there are not many sources of water nearby, the cyanoacrylate pulls moisture from the nearby air to help itself cure. This is why your relative humidity (RH) is a big factor in the dry time of your adhesive. Thicker, more viscous adhesives (black adhesives) take longer to cure because they are more dense, which adds layers that have to be cured with the surrounding moisture. Because of this, they need a higher RH level in the environment to cure at its ideal speed. Clear adhesives are thinner in texture because they are absent of some extra ingredients found in the black adhesives, so they need a lower RH level to optimally cure, and will take longer to cure in higher humidity environments. If you haven’t already, get yourself a little hygrometer to place on your work station so you can gauge the RH and temp in your space, and adjust if needed. Dehumidifiers and humidifiers are great tools to help your environment reach the ideal RH for your adhesive type and desired curing speed. 

Lash Types 

Another factor when choosing the right lash adhesive is hair type. We see clients from all walks of life, with different genetics, and those are things that factor in to what kind of lashes your client will have. Younger clients who are still full of collagen have thicker, fuller lash lines naturally. As we age and our skin cell and hair growth cycles slow down, it is normal to have less hair in general, so this applies to your more mature clients- some experience more lash loss than others, but typically natural lashes on older clients tend to be more thin and sparse than on younger clients. Ethnicity is another factor because that will also determine hair type. Clients who have thicker, more coarse hair texture will also have thicker, sometimes naturally greasier, lashes. Those with thin, fine hair will have thinner lash texture. Sometimes, a thicker lash adhesive is needed for clients who have thicker, more oily natural lashes to be able to effectively penetrate the outer layer of the lash for ideal attachment. The opposite is true as well, the thinner natural lashes will do better with a thinner viscosity of adhesive. 

“Sensitive” Adhesives and Their Downsides 

Sensitive lash adhesives tend to unfortunately be a waste of money and effort on your behalf as an artist. They are oftentimes very expensive, and essentially all you are paying for is diluted black adhesive. These adhesives contain a less potent percentage of the same ingredients found in black adhesives. Because of this, the retention time is not as long as an adhesive with normal percentages of the active ingredients. It also tends to be thinner in viscosity, taking longer to cure, which can slow you down as an artist. This, however, can be a bonus if you are a beginner artist and need a longer dry time while you are practicing and trying to up your speed. For clients who develop a sensitivity to black adhesives, try switching them to a clear adhesive. Oftentimes, they are reacting to the carbon black additive in black adhesives and will do better with a clear formula. For those still reacting to clear adhesives, a break from having lashes done is smart before proceeding, and a patch test is recommended before applying a new set after a break. Sometimes, a change in hormones and stress levels can create a momentary sensitivity or reaction to cyanoacrylate, and after a break, some clients are fine to reintroduce the ingredient again without any issues. 

Understanding your mediums as an artist is an essential key in being able to do your art with ease and create beautiful outcomes for your clients that wear well and cause no irritation. I hope this gave you some insight into adhesives and how they work, and boosts your confidence in your craft. Check out our tried and true adhesives, Clearvoyant and Nightshade. They are the staple to many lash artist’s arsenal of tools and at an affordable price, will hopefully become one of yours. Thanks for reading, see you next time!

How to Maintain Runway Ready Brows All the Time

Brow laminations have become a go-to beauty treatment for achieving well-groomed, perfectly sculpted eyebrows. Whether you're a first-timer or a seasoned enthusiast, understanding how to care for your brows post-lamination is crucial for maintaining their flawless appearance. In this comprehensive guide, we'll delve into the essentials of brow lamination care, ensuring that your brows stay on point for an extended period.

Post-Lamination Do's and Don'ts:

• After your brow lamination treatment, it's essential to be mindful of a few key do's and don'ts. Do avoid getting your brows wet for the first 24 hours, refrain from touching or rubbing them excessively, and resist applying any makeup or skincare products to the treated area immediately after the procedure.

keep them dry

Hydration is Key:

• While it's crucial to keep your brows dry initially, hydration becomes essential in the days that follow. Use a gentle, hydrating brow serum or oil to nourish the brow hairs and the surrounding skin. This helps maintain flexibility and prevents the brow hairs from becoming overly stiff.
  
  
  

Regular Brushing:

• Brush your brows regularly using a clean spoolie or a specially designed brow brush. This helps to keep the brow hairs in place and ensures they maintain their perfectly groomed shape.

Nighttime Brow Care Routine:

• Incorporate a nighttime brow care routine into your regimen. Apply a nourishing brow serum or oil before bedtime to keep the hairs hydrated and promote their overall health.

Avoid Saunas and Steam Rooms:

• Steer clear of saunas, steam rooms, and excessive heat in the days following your brow lamination. Exposure to heat and steam can soften the lamination and affect its longevity.

Avoid Sun Exposure:

• Protect your newly laminated brows from direct sun exposure. UV rays can weaken the lamination, leading to a shorter lifespan of the treatment. Consider using a brow gel with built-in SPF or wearing a hat when exposed to sunlight.

Schedule Regular Touch-Ups:

• Brow lamination typically lasts for about 4-6 weeks. Schedule regular touch-ups to keep your brows looking fresh and perfectly styled. Consistency is key to maintaining the desired results.
  
  

Caring for your freshly laminated brows involves a combination of proper hygiene, hydration, and mindful practices. By following these tips and integrating them into your daily routine, you can extend the life of your brow lamination and enjoy perfectly sculpted eyebrows that enhance your overall look. Invest a little time and care in maintaining your brows, and you'll reap the rewards of a long-lasting, flawless result.

Come see one of our girls at Bold Beauty Company for a runway ready brow appointment that you will love.

Service Provider Self Care 101

Working in the service industry can be extremely rewarding, especially when you get to do what you love for a living. When you turn a passion into income, it can feel amazing. With any line of work, it can become stressful over time, especially when you are giving to people all day- listening to them talk about their life, their traumas, their dreams, and even just surface conversation. Talking to people all day can get exhausting, even when you love your clients and/or team members. Working with your hands and wrists, and sitting while you provide these services, whether they be tattoos or esthetics services, can be physically exhausting. There also is an emotional tax that comes with connecting with people on an emotional and mental level that can wear on you over time. These are not reasons to not do what you love, and they can be combated by one important skill: the art of self care.

Self Care For Dummies

It seems likely that people often have a misunderstanding of what actual self care looks like, because it has become such a trendy buzz word. Self care is more than face masks and bubble baths. Though these can be tools in your toolbox, they are only small components of self care. The meat and potatoes of self care are more inward practices that add up to help you optimize your life and your time. Self care boils down to one main thing: boundaries. Boundaries are the foundation of optimizing and streamlining your life, and practicing putting them in place in any relationships, especially work ones, will help you so much in the long run to avoid burnout. Brene Brown, a highly regarded professor and writer, speaks a lot on the topic of boundaries. She describes boundaries as “what is okay, and what is not okay”. She has explained that setting boundaries may be uncomfortable in the moment, but will avoid future resentment. We love a strong and self respecting queen!

How To Set Boundaries In The Workplace

Never underestimate the power of actually taking time off- it is essential to your well being and mental health as a service provider. This means being able to completely unplug and decompress when you do have time off. Turn off your Insta notifications, silence your phone, and actually focus on being present in whatever activities you’re doing that day- even if that’s staying at home and in bed in your two day old pajamas. Trust us, we get it. Your time off should be filled with things that help fill your cup so you can tackle the week ahead and take care of your clients at your full capacity. We have all heard the saying, “you can’t pour from an empty cup” and it’s absolutely true!

It is important to communicate with your clients, coworkers, and anyone involved in your line of work when you are not available- and stick to it! Even if that constitutes sending a text that says, “Hey, I got your message and I would love to take care of this when I’m back at work next week!” It is absolutely not expected of you to return that text or email after hours, and there are very rare cases where emergencies actually come up that need your immediate attention. Responding outside of your work hours and on your days off will actually set the precedence to your clients and team that you are constantly available and will be immediately responsive- and that is not a healthy way to live your life. TLDR: take rest days, take them as often as you need, and understand that it’s okay to communicate these needs and enforce them.

Self Care is Actually Quite Simple

Basic self care is so underrated, and it really does not need to be over complicated. These are basic principles we have practiced since we were children, we need to maintain them especially when we are caring for other people. Let’s review the important ones:

• Eat good food- if you’re booked and busy, you still need to make time in your day to keep your body fueled. Service providers really have a stigma of running on caffeine and nicotine, and it’s quite literally the fastest way to crash your metabolism, hormone functions, and natural circadian rhythms. If you can’t take time to have an actual lunch break, bring healthy snacks to keep you running throughout the day. But seriously, book yourself the lunch break and take a moment to breathe and eat some food. Make sure when you are able to have real meals that they’re well balanced and ideal macros for your body. Just fuel yourself!

• Sleep- 7-9 hours a night will keep a lot of scary things at bay. It’s essential for all of the functions in the rest of your body. Boost your metabolism, lower stress levels, help promote hormones and energy levels, and be able to handle more in your daily life. Go to bed early, limit screen time before bed, and enjoy those hours to the fullest.

• Building routines- maybe you like to start your mornings slow by reading, journaling, and sipping coffee. Maybe you like to get up, slam a preworkout, and head to the gym. Whatever your preferred routine is, stick to it daily, getting up around the same time every morning. Having morning and evening routines that involve hygiene, food, exercise, and sleep time rituals will help you optimize your time outside of all of these basic needs. Routines are so important because as humans, we really are simple creatures of habit!

• Say “no” when it’s not a “f*ck yes”- Part of setting boundaries is being able to politely decline invitations, friendships, conversations, etc that really don’t feel right to you. You don’t have to overbook yourself and spread yourself so thin to make everyone happy. It’s 2024, people pleasing is out! Unless it’s a full body yes, it’s a no.

In conclusion…

Don’t ever feel bad for taking care of yourself, even if you have to tell someone no in the process. You have to be your top priority in order to care for people as a full-time job, and those are just the facts. Learn what your boundaries are, and practice them heavily. Over time they will come second nature to you and you will put them in place automatically. Keep your cup full, and you’ll be able to pour into those around you!

If you’re in Scottsdale and in need of some self care, come pop in and see us for a new tattoo, piercing, lash extensions, or just to hang out. We’d love to see you!

We hope you enjoyed this read, and found a good reminder in it that you are worth investing time and effort into! See you next time!

Written by Lanna of Bold Beauty Company

What NOT to do With a New Piercing

Piercing has come such a long way over the years and gone are the days of using a gun (we hope). Hollow needle piercings are the way to go for a piercing that will heal wonderfully without any complications. Following good aftercare advice is key to a beautiful piercing that, once healed, will not hurt or cause any discomfort whatsoever. Make sure to follow your piercer’s specific recommendations, as they might differ slightly from one another.

Rule Number One: Keep it Clean

As a new piercing heals, it will likely develop “crusties” made from good ole’ lymph, dead blood cells, and extra bits of tissue. As tempting as it may be to pick at this substance around your new jewel, you’ll want to avoid that. Instead, it should be kept clean with a saline or salt water based healing solution, twice a day, until fully healed. This solution can be sprayed directly onto the piercing and left alone, or if you’d rather get in and around it with a saturated q-tip, that’s an option as well. Lip applicator brushes work very well for this because they are lint free and won’t leave cotton strings on your gem.

keep it clean

Risk of infection is greatly mitigated when aftercare is followed properly.

Rule Number Two: No Swimming or Bathing

Submerging your new piercing, especially in a swimming pool or hot tub, can wreak havoc on the healing process. These chemicals are not great for any fresh wound, and can easily infect something that is trying to heal. Not to mention the bacteria and germs floating around in public pools… you get the picture. Showering is completely fine (please don’t skip that), and bathing is okay as long as your new piercing is not hanging out under water for a while. After the shower is a great time to clean your new piercing, as the “crusties” may loosen up a bit and naturally slough off when cleaned.

Rule Number Three: Don’t Twist New Jewelry

Back in the old days (we’re aging ourselves here..) we’d leave Claire’s with that little purple bag of goodies and new gems in our ears, beaming because of our bravery for getting our ears pierced. I vividly remember part of their aftercare being to “spin the earring” regularly. Like.. what?! I once had an amazing piercer who has devoted his life to his craft and he gave me the best advice ever. He said “LITFA. You know what that means? Leave it the f—- alone.”

Clever and true! Keep it clean and let your body do the rest, what it was made to do- heal.

Rule Number Four: Don’t be Impatient

As tempting as it is to run home and change your jewelry right away, fight the urge! You’ll want to wait 4-6 weeks before you do and we promise it will be worth it. Introducing new jewelry too soon can lead to infection or your body rejecting the jewelry all together. If you are sensitive to certain metals, be sure to look for something hypoallergenic before making the purchase.

Rule Number Five: Use Only Approved Cleaning Solutions

Be wary of the solution you’re using to clean your new jewelry, because some can prolong the healing process and ruin it entirely. Hydrogen peroxide seems like a great option because of its ability to disinfect, but what it can actually do is disrupt the white blood cells from coming to the rescue and helping your body heal. Alcohol will work in a similar fashion, over drying the skin which will extend the healing period. Most piercers will recommend a saline based piercing aftercare spray, so be sure to touch base with them and get their favorite recommendation.

sweet dreams

Avoid sleeping on your fresh piercing and rest easy knowing it will heal well!

Rule Number Six: Try Not to Sleep on it

Aside from the obvious, it being uncomfortable, sleeping on your new piercing can lead to issues such as infection and an elongated healing time by continuing to irritate the piercing. Consider sleeping on the opposite side if you’re able to, or invest in a little travel pillow to keep you comfortable on your back if you’ve had both ears done at once.

Whether you’re looking to become a piercer yourself, or get a fresh piercing done professionally, we are here to help! The Arizona Tattoo Academy teaches methods backed by years of experience both in piercing and excellence in the industry, and can change your life! If you’re in the Old Town Scottsdale area come pop in for the best hollow needle piercing experience you have had yet.

We hope you enjoyed this piece composed by Lanna of Bold Beauty Company. Thanks for reading!