\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Apply for our free membership to receive exclusive deals, news, and events. For this to happen, a blood clot will form around the hole. Rose says that many states do not regulate the body art industry, so its up to the consumer to find a reputable shop with great piercers. Ashley: An Ashley piercing goes directly through the center of the bottom lip and exits through the back of the lip. Madison: A surface piercing at the clavicle has a higher chance of rejection. Also, when the area around the piercing starts to feel normal, when there is no redness, and when you notice a normal discharge seen from healing tissue, then it means that the lip piercing is starting to heal. Rose says to take a look at examples of piercings the piercing artist has done in the past. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Floss at night before brushing. Gently wipe the cloth or towel around each side of the jewelry. This article received 14 testimonials and 100% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. Pure tea tree oil is potent and may cause additional irritation, so mix it with an equal amount of saline solution or carrier oil before use. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. When researching a shop, look for reputable places that use single-use sterile equipment, implant grade metals, and have clean autoclave spore tests, she says. She has been an amateur artist as a hobby since grade school, and served a 12 month tattoo apprenticeship in a tattoo studio. Keep reading to learn how to identify infection, what you can do to ease your symptoms, and how to prevent further complications. Therefore, youd have to take extra care of the piercing and pay attention, noticing even the slightest changes in and around the piercing. . Rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, and other antiseptics can damage healthy skin cells. The Answer May Surprise You. A lip piercing will take approximately one-and-a-half to two months to heal. "With your mouth, youre talking, eating, and drinking all day long, so it can be a tough one," Thompson says. This article has been viewed 627,875 times. The seasoning stage can last a few months up to several years. These can be made right from the comfort of your own home: Alternatively, simply soak a tea towel in cold water and apply directly to the area. Click the Button To See The Table of Contents. Our bodies can be delicate and require much care and attention, especially when it comes to lip piercings. He recommends Dr. Bronner's 18-in-1 Hemp Unscented Baby-Mild Pure-Castile Soap or Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser for sensitive skin. Smiley/Scrumper: Through the thin connective tissue above the upper lip. Even though body piercings are not as permanent as tattoos, you still want to take some care when deciding where and how to get pierced. . Brian Keith Thompson of Body Electric Tattoo in LA knows more than most when it comes to body piercings. Holbrook J, et al. Most lip piercings should take 6-8 weeks to completely heal although a few types can take up to 3 months. The duration of this stage relies greatly on your overall health. Signs of a healing lip piercing Some pain, swelling, and small amounts of bleeding are all normal in the early days. Always wash your hands thoroughly before cleaning or touching your piercing. They are made and tested in a cGMP compliant and FDA-registered facility in America. Consult your dentist if you suspect that your piercing is causing any issues with your teeth, gums, or tongue. Remember, use this DIY or store-bought saline solution after eating to clear up germs quick. Piercings: How to prevent complications. If youre interested in an edgier look, you might consider a facial piercing. Although oral piercings are not comfortable, they are not as painful as one would suspect, notes Garshick. Avoid sharing food and drinks to minimize the spread of infectious bacteria. There shouldnt be any crust left on the jewelry or around the hole. Refrain from using lipstick, lip gloss, and other lip products. Once or twice daily, soak your piercing in saline solution. The acceptance stage lasts between a couple of days and a few weeks. After 10 minutes, rinse the affected area with warm water and gently pat dry with a clean paper towel. Lip piercings may be more prone to infection especially during the initial healing stage due to regular contact with saliva, food, makeup, and other bacteria. Karissa Sanford is the Co-owner of Make Me Holey Body Piercing, a piercing studio based in the San Francisco Bay Area that specializes in safe and friendly body piercing. But, keep in mind that certain areas of the body will require more healing time and also may have a risk of rejection or migration. Ensure youre using pure sea salt, not Epsom salt or table salt. However, the healing time may be shorter or longer depending on how you take care of it. Common risks are bumps, irritation, and swelling, and less common are actual infections, notes Rose. "After you heal something, some people can leave it out for days and weeks, and some people can only leave it out for a few minutes before it closes," Thompson says. DOI: Malta Purim, KS, et al. This tissue will take even longer to heal with more complex lip piercings such as the vertical Medusa. For more help from our Medical co-author, like how to recognize the signs of infection, scroll down. Regardless of the type of lip piercing you get there are about 14 types of lip piercings; the healing will vary. Some piercingsites may be prone to keloids or scarring, so if you are noticing any bumps around the piercingsite, it is always best to have this checked out sooner rather than later to determine the etiology and see if any treatment would be helpful, advises Garshick. The list of best things to do in Auvergne-Rhne-Alpes includes sightseeing, pretty towns, history, and natural wonders! Instead, well look at the healing process for the lip piercing, how long it takes to heal, and what you need to know about a healing and/or a healed lip piercing. For external symptoms, apply a warm compress, 4. Read our, 18-in-1 Hemp Unscented Baby-Mild Pure-Castile Soap. You should also know that during this stage, the blood vessels permeability increases, and fluid accumulates around the wound. If you dont experience any redness or other signs of irritation, it may be safe to apply a chamomile compress to your piercing. (2011). Taking proper care of any new piercing is important to avoid infections and ensure proper healing. Stephanie is a jewelry lover when she was a teenager. If your friends have had a good experience, they will probably recommend their artist. "As it starts healing outwards, youll think its healed. Thompson says to keep the outside of your piercing clean like you would any other body piercing: with soap and water. An orbital piercing, for example, runs from side to side rather than front to back, with two pierced holes instead of one. Find more as we explore on upper lip piercing pain, swelling, healing process and aftercare practices. You will also learn from the various pictures we have included in the post. However, you should see your piercer right away if its your first time dealing with an infected piercing or if your symptoms are more severe. Did you know you can get expert answers for this article? The only time you should touch it is during cleansing. My friend was so wrong about how to take care of a lip piercing. Read our, Selecting the Right Piercing Artist and Studio, 15 Hairstyles to Show off Your Statement Earrings, Byrdie Beauty & Wellness Review Board Member, Trends and complications of ear piercing among selected Nigerian population. A nurturing, attentive routine will help that piercing along its healing journey. A lip piercing is one of the fastest in healing- it takes 4-10 weeks or even less. What you eat matters, especially when you have a wound in this case, an infected piercing in your mouth. Try to also use a cotton pad or swab to minimize skin-to-skin contact, which can lead to the bacteria spreading. She is a jewelry designer at SOQ Jewelry and other design companies. Monroe and medusa piercings are two types that generally take longer to heal. Anyone with a lip piercing is considered to be the coolest person on earth. Your piercing should generally take somewhere between six and 12 weeks to heal completely. What you should do: Use a saline spray or piercing aftercare spray to keep it clean. (n.d.). You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. If you do use mouthwash, follow the product directions as you normally would. Cartilage piercings heal from the outside in, which means that they may look healed on the outside long before the process is truly done. 1. Healing should be relatively straight forward provided that you: If youre dealing with a fresh lip piercing, pay careful attention to the way you treat the area. Nose Piercings Explained: Cost, Pain Level, and Placement Options, The Crusty, Dry Skin Around Your Piercing Is NormalHere's Why. Water should be your drink of choice at this time. "It really depends on your body.". Chamomile: A herbal medicine of the past with a bright future (Review). Make sure to keep the original jewelry in during the healing process and wait to change the jewelry until the piercing is completely healed. I like how, "It is thorough. Cleaning and Caring for Your Lip Piercing, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/f6\/Take-Care-of-a-Lip-Piercing-Step-5-Version-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Take-Care-of-a-Lip-Piercing-Step-5-Version-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/f6\/Take-Care-of-a-Lip-Piercing-Step-5-Version-4.jpg\/aid482364-v4-728px-Take-Care-of-a-Lip-Piercing-Step-5-Version-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"