How to Take Care of a Lip Piercing

Co-authored by Karissa Sanford

Last Updated: October 1, 2024 Approved

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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. 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]
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Expert Source

Karissa Sanford
Body Piercing Specialist

Expert Interview. 29 October 2019.}

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Cleaning and Caring for Your Lip Piercing

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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.
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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.^{[2]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Karissa Sanford
  Body Piercing Specialist
  
  Expert Interview. 29 October 2019.}
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:^{[3]
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- Ice cream
- Yogurt
- Pudding
- Cold foods and drinks that soothe and help keep swelling.
- Don’t use chewing gum until your piercing heals.
Suck on small pieces of ice to alleviate pain and swelling. Pain relieving anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen can also be used.

Part 2

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Knowing What to Avoid

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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.^{[4]
X
Expert Source

Karissa Sanford
Body Piercing Specialist

Expert Interview. 29 October 2019.} 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.^{[5]
X
Expert Source

Karissa Sanford
Body Piercing Specialist

Expert Interview. 29 October 2019.} 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
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.^{[6]
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Research source} 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.
Not only can this aggravate newly healed skin, but the piercing can start to close immediately.^{[7]
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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.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Preparing for Your Lip Piercing

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1
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.
- Leave the jewelry in if you suspect an infection, but seek medical attention immediately.^{[8]
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  National Health Service (UK)
  Public healthcare system of the UK
  
  Go to source}
2
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.^{[9]
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- 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.

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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, RN
Registered Nurse
Marsha Durkin is a Registered Nurse based in Waukegan, Illinois. With over 15 years of professional experience, she works both as a nurse and a Laboratory Information Specialist for Insight Hospital and Medical Center. Marsha received her Associate's Degree in Nursing from Olney Central College in 1987.

Marsha Durkin, RN

Registered Nurse

Expert Answer

No, pus is not normal. Please see your doctor to get checked for an infection.

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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, RN
Registered Nurse
Marsha Durkin is a Registered Nurse based in Waukegan, Illinois. With over 15 years of professional experience, she works both as a nurse and a Laboratory Information Specialist for Insight Hospital and Medical Center. Marsha received her Associate's Degree in Nursing from Olney Central College in 1987.

Marsha Durkin, RN

Registered Nurse

Expert Answer

If your piercing is really swollen, you need to see a doctor to check for infection and get medication if needed. An infection is very serious.

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Question

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

Community Answer

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

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Warnings

Consult your dentist if you suspect that your piercing is causing any issues with your teeth, gums, or tongue.

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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.

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