How to Pierce Your Own Lip With A Safety Pin

If you want to pierce your lip but don't want to shell out $50 to have it done, why not do it yourself? It's not hard, and if you think you can deal with the pain, I say go for it!

Things You'll Need

• Safety pin (I used one of the big ones) or T-pin
• Mouthwash
• Rubbing alcohol
• Ice
• Sharpie or pen
• Apple slice or piece of potato or cork or something (to push the pin into)
• Jewelry (either a lip ring, or a regular earring stud and a piece of an eraser)

Instructions

1. First of all, you need to mark the spot you want pierced. Look in a mirror, pick your spot, and mark it with your pen or Sharpie. Then rinse out your mouth with mouthwash, sterilize your pin and whatever jewelry you're going to put in there, and get to work numbing your face.

   A note - I found it easier to put in a stud earring with a piece of an eraser on the back for the first day or two, but if you have a high tolerance for pain and just want to shove the lip ring right on in, go for it. Generally, earrings are 18 gauge (about the size of the safety pin), and lips rings are usually 14g, maybe 16g. Either way, it'll hurt trying to get a lip ring in right after the safety pin. The earring will let it heal a bit so you can work the lip ring in later. Just take the eraser off of a mechanical pencil (you might have to cut it in half) and slide it on the back of the earring stud so it can't scratch your teeth.

2. All right, now you're numb and everything is sterile. You're ready to go. I found it easiest to place a slice of apple or a piece of potato or something behind my lip to shove the pin into. It makes it easier to get it through your skin, I promise. When you start, it'll hurt a little, but not too much if you're numb enough. Basically all you have to do is hold the pin straight and push it straight back into the apple or cork or whatever. When you get it in there, I'd leave it for a minute so it doesn't close immediately when you pull it out.

3. Now, after removing the apple/potato/cork, get your earring ready and slide out the pin. Immediately put the earring into the hole, and push the eraser bit on the end to keep it in and protect your teeth and gums. Your lip will definitely be swollen for a couple of hours at least, more likely a day or two. Just make sure you don't take the earring out for a couple of days. Let it heal a little and then try to put in a 16g or a 14g if you think you can handle it.

   If you're putting in the jewelry immediately, I promise, it'll hurt. But more power to you if you can stand it. :D Follow the above directions, only don't use an earring, obviously.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure you keep the area clean, using warm water and anti-bacterial soap, but don't use rubbing alcohol. Washing with soap and water will be just fine. Alcohol will make the skin tight and hinder its healing process.

• Be sure to sterilize anything you put into the hole - if you change the jewelry, wash your hands first and rinse the ring in rubbing alcohol, then rinse with water.

• I've never tried an upper lip piercing with this method, but I did my labret twice. I can't make any promises about Monroes or anything.

• Be very careful! I'm pretty sure you can't paralyze your face or anything this way, but you could possibly nick a vein or something and bleed a lot, so be very careful! Do your research!