Posted on October 10, 2007 in Uncategorized
Lip piercing generally takes 6-10 weeks to heal. It is very rare to develop an infection because the mouth has the natural ability to fight off bacteria.
You may experience some swelling, redness, scabbing, tenderness, and possibly bleeding. But don’t worry about all this. These are all natural occurrences in the healing process.
Here are some basic tips about aftercare of lip piercing:
- Avoid eating, smoking and drinking within the first three hours of the piercing.
- Avoid alcohol, tobacco, and drugs before and after getting pierced, and till the wound is completely healed.
- Wash your hands frequently, and any time if you are going to touch the piercing. This will significantly reduce your chances of getting an infection.
- Do saline soak twice a day.
- Use a new soft-bristled toothbrush and keep it clean.
- You should brush twice a day to remove food particles that could get into the wound and cause an infection.
- Always keep your mouth sanitized. This should be done after eating, smoking and drinking.
- Avoid oral sexual till the wound is completely healed.
- Do rinse your mouth with a mouthwash after meals or eating. For the first 2 weeks you should suck on antibacterial/anti-inflammatory throat lozenges (Difflam-C), these reduce the chance of infection and reduce swelling.
- Ibuprofen will help keep the swelling and tenderness to a minimum, and can be taken when needed for pain.
- Avoid sharing plates, cups, and eating utensils.
- Vitamin B with Zinc helps in quick healing process. It is better, if you start taking this vitamin a few months before you get the piercing done.
- Do eat things such as frozen yogurt, ice cream, cold foods, or suck on chipped or crushed ice, or very small ice blocks for the first 2 weeks. Cold things help the healing, alleviate pain and reduce swelling.
- Dry with disposable paper products such as gauze or tissues, because cloth towels can harbor bacteria and catch on new piercing causing injury.
- Avoid submerging in bodies of water such as lakes, pools, etc.
- Don’t remove or replace the jewellery during the healing period, as the hole closes up very quickly and it’s painful to reinsert the jewellery once this happens.
- If it becomes necessary for you to remove the piercing, then the best thing to do is to go to your piercer to have it taken out.
How to Keep the Area Clean:
Wash your hands thoroughly before cleaning the area. Gently and completely cleanse the area with antibacterial soap and water first. Using a, cotton ball or tissue, gently remove any debris have formed around the piercing. This should be done twice a day.
How to Keep Your Piercing Jewelry Clean:
Your jewelry can also carry bacteria and needs to be cleaned properly. Lather the piercing with your fingers thoroughly and rinse completely with warm water. Turn the piercing carefully up and down. Avoid cleaning the area or piercing with alcohol or peroxide. This could harm or kill the tissue that needs to heal. Simply use an antibacterial soap with warm water.
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October 29th, 2007 at 4:47 pm
thank you so much for this.. i just got my lip pierced yesterday, and i didnt think it was normal for tons of swelling and bruising, but your website helped alot…so thank you..
January 19th, 2008 at 7:16 am
this site really helped me feel better about my piercing! i am so worried about it getting infected. but now i know what to do. i accidently smoked right after i got it done and am kind of worried about it but i hope it will be ok
January 31st, 2008 at 11:19 am
Hey Brook, thanks for visiting our site.We are feeling great that our information has helped you to take care of your lip piercing in proper way.
March 21st, 2008 at 7:40 pm
good stuff
March 22nd, 2008 at 12:22 pm
Hey… Thiis siite iis very useful =] i thought the redness was uneccasery and worried about any sort of infection. but this website helped me .. thankyou.