How to Take Care of a Lip Ring
A lip ring takes 6 to 8 weeks to heal, but not taking care of the piercing properly prolongs the healing period. Taking care of a lip ring after the healing period is less difficult, but you still must take appropriate precautions to ensure it stays free of infections. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Antibacterial wash, such as Listerine
- Saline solution
- Toothbrush
- Tissues
Instructions
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The First 6 to 8 Weeks
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1
Modify your diet. Switch to soft, preferably cool, foods such as yogurt, pudding and ice cream. Avoid solid foods, as it may become trapped in the piercing. If you must eat solid foods, chew away from the piercing area. Pat your lip ring with a tissue dipped in saline solution to make sure food is not lodged in the piercing.
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2
Cut out smoking and alcohol. The smoke from cigarettes irritates the lip ring. Alcohol also dries out the piercing, making it prone to infection. Eliminate your chances of infection by abstaining from smoking and drinking. If you cannot abstain, cut back on how much you drink or smoke.
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3
Avoid coming into contact with water. This includes long showers and swimming. Chlorine water will dry out and irritate the lip piercing, making it harder to heal. The harshness of the shower water also aggravates symptoms.
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4
Keep it clean for faster healing. Dip a toothbrush in saline solution. Apply the toothbrush to the lip ring to completely sanitize it. Brush your lip ring two or three times a day, but don't overdo it. Too much saline solution dries out the lip piercing.
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5
Use an antibacterial wash or lozenge to keep the area safe from infection. Listerine is a powerful antibacterial wash that eliminates most germs in the mouth. Throat lozenges, which often have antibacterial properties, are less harsh substitutes if you cannot handle antibacterial washes.
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6
Keep the area dry. Taking a dry, clean tissue, gently pat the area until dry. Immediately dry the area if it comes in contact with food, liquids, or any substances that touch the mouth. Always use a fresh, disposable tissue each time. Do not use a cloth---cloths carry harmful bacteria, even if clean.
Lip Ring Aftercare
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7
Sanitize the lip ring. Dip it in a saline solution before wearing it. Keep your lip ring in a cool, dry area afterward to keep it clean.
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8
Clean your piercing every other day with a saline solution. Dip a tissue into a saline mixture and pat around the piercing, making sure to wipe away any crusts or additional liquids. Dry with a soft tissue afterward.
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9
Use an antibacterial wash to keep your mouth free of bacteria. Twice a day, preferably in the morning and before bed, swish your mouth with an antibacterial wash after brushing your teeth. Do not use the wash before brushing your teeth--the toothbrush may cause bacteria to fly from your teeth.
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Tips & Warnings
Avoid any interaction that will make your lips moist. Oral sex and kissing are also off limits. Never remove your lip ring, even if you suspect it is infected. Have a piercing specialist remove the lip ring.
