how to clean outside of lip piercing

Download Article

Taking proper care of any new piercing is important to avoid infections and ensure proper healing. Lip and other oral piercings need special attention, because bacteria in and around the mouth can increase the infection risk. These piercings can also increase your risk of transmitting certain diseases, and the jewelry can cause problems with your teeth and gums. To allow a lip piercing to heal properly, you will need to take care of it, keep it clean and dry, leave it alone, and avoid certain foods and activities.^[1]

1

Know what to expect. Piercing your lip will be painful, and the piercing may cause bleeding. The area may be tender, swollen, and bruised for several days afterward. Lip piercings can take anywhere from 6 to 10 weeks to heal fully, so be prepared for multiple daily cleanings during that time, plus regular upkeep after that.^[2]
2

Purchase your cleaning supplies in advance. Cleaning your lip piercing is pretty straightforward, but it will require non-iodized salt, alcohol-free mouthwash, and a mild, fragrance-free soap. Pick up a new toothbrush as well—one with soft bristles—and replace your old one after getting your piercing.

Advertisement
3
Recognize the signs of infection. Before getting your lip pierced, know what to look for regarding infections. Symptoms include pus, green or yellow discharge, tingling or loss of feeling around the piercing site, fever, and excessive bleeding, pain, redness, and swelling.^[3]
- Leave the jewelry in if you suspect an infection, but seek medical attention immediately.^[4]
4
Know what an allergic reaction will look like. Body jewelry often contains nickel, which is a common allergen for many people. Symptoms will likely appear within 12 to 48 hours, and can include itching and swelling, crusty or scaly blisters, and redness, rash, or dry skin.^[5]
- Your lip piercing won't heal properly if you are allergic to the jewelry, so go to the doctor immediately if you suspect an allergy.
- If you can't wear necklaces, earrings, rings or bracelets containing nickel, you won't be able to wear it in your lip, either. Look for jewelry labeled "surgical steel" or "nickel free."
- In addition to nickel, some people may be allergic to copper or brass. These 3 base metals cause the majority of allergic reactions to jewelry.
Advertisement

1
Clean the inside of your mouth. Rinse your mouth for 30 seconds using an alcohol-free mouthwash or salt solution after every time you eat, drink, or smoke. Rinse before bedtime as well.
- To make a salt solution, combine 1/4 teaspoon (1.2 ml) of non-iodized salt with 8 ounces (237 ml) of boiling water. Stir to dissolve the salt, and let it cool.
- Don't increase the salt content, as this could irritate your mouth.
2
Clean the outside of the piercing and jewelry. Once a day, preferably in the shower when any crusted matter and debris around the piercing has softened, lather a mild soap with your fingers and gently wash the piercing site and jewelry. Gently rotate the jewelry for a thorough cleaning and to remove debris. Rinse thoroughly, gently rotating the jewelry again.
- Always wash your hands thoroughly before cleaning or touching your piercing.
- Don't clean the piercing with soap more than once a day.
3

Soak the piercing. Once or twice a day, fill a small cup with the salt solution and soak the piercing for 5 to 10 minutes. Rinse the area with warm water after.
4
Brush and floss at least twice a day. Brush and floss after every meal if possible. Rinse your mouth with alcohol-free mouthwash after brushing to remove any leftover food particles from your mouth.
- Be gentle while brushing, so that you do not irritate the piercing.^[6]
5
Eat slowly and carefully. Soft foods are recommended for the first few days. Once you return to solid food, cut it into small pieces. Place bite-sized pieces of food directly onto your molars. Be careful not to bite your lip, and avoid contact with the piercing as much as possible. Chew as far away from the piercing as you can. In the first couple days especially, try foods like:^[7]
- Ice cream
- Yogurt
- Pudding
- Cold foods and drinks that soothe and help keep swelling.
- Don't use chewing gum until your piercing heals.
6

Reduce swelling. Suck on small pieces of ice to alleviate pain and swelling. Pain relieving anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen can also be used.

Advertisement

1
Avoid eating, drinking, and smoking for the first 3 hours. For as long as possible, and certainly for the first 3 hours after receiving your piercing, leave your lip piercing alone.^[8] Avoid talking as much as possible. Until your piercing is completely healed, you should also avoid:
- Alcohol, tobacco, caffeine, and drugs
- Sticky foods, including oatmeal
- Hard food, candy, and gum
- Spicy food
- Salty foods
- Chewing on non-edible items, such as your fingers, pencils, and pens.
2
Leave the piercing alone. Cleaning time is the only time you should touch your piercing. Touching it too much can lead to infections, swelling, pain, and increased healing time. Don't play with it, don't let others play with it, and avoid contact and motion as much as possible.^[9] During the healing process, you should also avoid:
- Oral sex and kissing
- Sharing food, drinks, and utensils
- Licking your piercing or playing with it with your tongue or fingers
- Rigorous activity and physical contact involving the face
3

Stay away from water. This includes chlorinated water like pools and hot tubs, but it also means fresh water, lengthy showers and baths, and steam rooms and saunas. Keep your piercing dry, otherwise it will take longer to heal and may not heal properly.
4
Avoid substances that could aggravate the piercing. Don't clean your piercing with rubbing alcohol, scented soaps, hydrogen peroxide, antibacterial ointments, or petroleum-based creams or gels.^[10] These products can cause irritation, dryness, cell damage, or clogged pores.
- Keep the area around the piercing free of makeup, cosmetics, and facial creams or lotions.
5

Don't change the jewelry until your lip piercing has healed. Not only can this aggravate newly healed skin, but the piercing can start to close immediately.^[11]
6

Maintain good oral hygiene. After your piercing has healed, you don't have to keep up with the multiple daily mouthwash rinses and soaks, but clean the piercing and jewelry in the shower with mild soap every few days. Brush and floss regularly.

Advertisement

Add New Question

Question

I got my lip pierced this past Saturday. It's a little swollen, but it doesn't hurt. I do notice a little bit of pus coming out, but not a lot. I clean it every time and make sure it's always clean. Is that normal, even if it's just a little?

Marsha Durkin is a Registered Nurse and Laboratory Information Specialist for Mercy Hospital and Medical Center in Illinois. She received her Associates Degree in Nursing from Olney Central College in 1987.

Registered Nurse

Expert Answer
Question

I just pierced my lip at home the other night and now its really swollen. I might be allergic to the jewelry. Would I be able to change the jewelry and keep my piercings, or will I lose them?

Marsha Durkin is a Registered Nurse and Laboratory Information Specialist for Mercy Hospital and Medical Center in Illinois. She received her Associates Degree in Nursing from Olney Central College in 1987.

Registered Nurse

Expert Answer
Question

Can you use salt that you have in the kitchen or does it have to be a certain type of salt?

It needs to be salt without iodine and other preservatives. Sea salt works best.
Question

The eating part is so wrong. You cannot eat yogurt due to the fact that is has bacteria in it and will lead to infection.

Not so! Yogurt contains good bacteria that helps to restore the natural environment of your mouth and stomach. You seem to be getting your bacteria types mixed up.
Question

How much does a lip piercing hurt?

It totally depends on pain tolerance and the ability of the piercer.
Question

What if I lick my lips a lot? Should I not do that?

It is normal to lick your lips, but try not to overdo it if you have a lip piercing. You don't want to irritate your piercing, because that may delay healing time or make it more susceptible to infections. Make sure you keep cleaning it properly as well.
Question

My new lip piercing is itchy. Is that normal?

Yes, it's normal. It means your body is healing.
Question

How long should you avoid water for?

You don't necessarily need to avoid water.
Question

I am not supposed to get the piercing wet. Do I soak my lip with the ring in it?

Yes. Hold a cup to your lip in a way that submerges the piercing hole and jewellery. Do not remove the ring or it'll heal over.
Question

How do I make swelling on the outside of my lip go away?

Use an ice pack or ice; hold some ice gently on your piercing. Don't push too hard as that might hurt it. Just use it as you would an ice pack and it'll help. Or, try sucking on ice and take an anti-inflammatory as well.

See more answers

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Video

Consult your dentist if you suspect that your piercing is causing any issues with your teeth, gums, or tongue.
Only ever use the services of a trained and professional piercer. Attempting to pierce yourself is dangerous, and can lead to nerve damage, excessive bleeding, infections, and other complications.

About This Article

Article Summary X

To take care of your new lip piercing, make sure to rinse your mouth with an alcohol-free mouthwash for 30 seconds after every time you eat, drink, or smoke. Brush and floss at least twice a day to remove as many food particles from your mouth as possible. As you shower, clean off any crusted matter and debris around the piercing by gently rubbing the area with soap. Once or twice a day, take your piercing out and soak it in a salt solution for 5 to 10 minutes to keep it clean. For the first few days after getting your piercing, eat soft foods like yogurt or pudding and avoid touching your piercing. If it swells or hurts, suck on a small piece of ice or take an anti-inflammatory like ibuprofen. For more help from our Medical co-author, like how to recognize the signs of infection, scroll down.

Did this summary help you?

Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 567,216 times.

Did this article help you?