Body Suspension Aftercare

Congratulations! You have finished a suspension with Nexus Body Suspension. We hope it was a magical experience and exactly what you needed. The next couple of days there will be important aftercare steps to make sure you heal well after suspending. This blog post exists as an extra resource for folks who may lose or misplace their aftercare pamphlets and emails, and also for folks curious about suspending with us to see what the aftercare looks like!

After finishing a suspension with us, your hook holes will be cleaned and bandaged with an occlusive, waterproof bandage. Some may also be wrapped with cohesive tape as an added measure. For clients with adhesive reactions or who are too hairy for bandages to stick, you may get a wrap of gauze and cohesive wrap. Keep these bandages on for the remainder of the day (if possible).

When you get home, we will suggest taking a shower to ensure everything is fully clean. In the shower is the easiest time to remove these bandages. You can wash the wounds gently with mild soap and water- avoid products that are heavily fragranced or dyed. We suggest hand washing or using a new loofa or wash rag- something that does not have old bacteria or dead skin cells on it.

After getting out of the shower, you can pat the wounds dry with a paper towel and rebandage overnight. If you shower in the morning, remove the bandages and gently clean the wounds again. After the second removal, only rebandage if necessary. Usually, at this point the wounds are beginning to scab over and do not need a bandage. Bleeding lightly for a few days following the suspension is normal. By the end of the first week, scabs will be fully formed. They may be itchy- this is also normal! Please resist to urge to scratch or pick- doing so will increase the risk of infection and scarring. If you want to continue hanging from similar locations, the less scaring you have the better.

After about a month the scabs will be gone and the wounds will be fully closed. At this point, if you would like to do topical scar treatment to minimize scarring, you can. Many folks love their hook scars and how visible they are- which is great! Some folks may not, or may want to keep the skin as healthy as possible for future suspensions. Topical scar treatments such as Miderma and Bio Oil can help break down scar tissue and minimize it, which long term can allow for more and safer suspensions.

Signs of Infection

Infection is always a risk whenever we break the skin. Signs of infection include

-Fever within 48 hours

-Skin is very hot to the touch

-Swelling

-Pus or smelly discharge

-Redness

-Excessive or persistent discharge

If you notice any signs of infection or have any healthcare concerns, please seek medical care by visiting your Physician or Urgent Care. Additionally, we encourage you to contact us so we can provide support.

SUBCUTANEOUS EMPHYSEMA

“Following your suspension, you may experience subcutaneous emphysema. This condition involves the presence of air trapped beneath the skin, which can sometimes produce a crackling or popping sensation, particularly when moving your joints. We affectionally call this “rice krispies”.

It is not uncommon for the air to migrate some distance from the original wound sites. Please do not be alarmed—this is a normal and generally harmless occurrence. You may also notice mild muscle soreness associated with this condition; however, it is typically not severe.

To help alleviate any associated discomfort or pressure, we recommend gentle massage of the affected areas.”

-Immersive Environments

Post Suspension Drop

Suspension can be an intensely emotional experience. There is a large rush of endorphins and adrenaline after suspending, and the process can often bring up deep emotional subjects. After a suspension, some folks may experience PSD or post-suspension drop. This is an emotional low, whereby the brain needs time to adjust after the natural endorphin high from suspending.

This may show itself by feeling low, sad, depressed, numb, or lost. You may find yourself focusing on past events or traumas, dissociating completely, or generally feeling “unusual” in your body or mind. If you find yourself feeling low please do not hesitate to reach out to the team for support. The Body Suspension forum on FB is also another great resource to connect with other suspendees, and find support in the larger community.

For individuals who are aware that they may experience a comedown, we strongly encourage planning some self-care activities post-suspension. This may include preparing comforting snacks, watching a favorite movie, taking a nap, or connecting with friends. Taking these steps can help ease the emotional transition and support your overall well-being.

We do not suggest making any large financial or life decisions for 24-48 hours after your suspension.

Special thanks to Immersive Environments, whose aftercare procedures we referenced to create this post.