LABRET AND LIP PIERCING AFTERCARE GUIDE
Cleaning the Outside Tissue
Thoroughly clean your new piercing once daily! Use antibacterial soap such as Provon. DO NOT use any products other than what is suggested. Excessive cleaning can lead to future problems.
- Wash your hands! Remember to NEVER touch your new piercing without washing your hands first.
- Using warm water and a cotton swab, remove and matter that may have dried on the jewelry and around the openings of the piercing.
- Next, pour the cleaning agent on the jewelry and piercing, lather it up and then work the jewelry back and forth at least 6 times. Leave cleaning agent on the piercing for approximately 1 minute.
- Rinse the cleaning agent off very thoroughly under running water, again working the jewelry back and forth at least 6 times. Any cleaning agent left on the skin or in the piercing can cause you problems.
Antiseptic Rinse
At least 4-6 times each day, rinse with Listerine antiseptic or sea salt solution for 30-60 seconds. Listerine should be diluted 50:50 using distilled water. A sea salt rinse is 1/8 teaspoon of sea salt dissolved into 8 oz of warm water. Continue to rinse for 6-8 weeks.
Swelling
The piercing will probably be swollen for the first few days. To help minimize the swelling, you may try the following:
- Place ice pieces in your mouth and let them melt. Crushed ice is always best- large pieces can increase the swelling.
- Reduce the amount of talking you do.
- Cut down on your intake of warm beverages, spicy and acidic foods, tobacco and alcohol for the first week or as long as your lip is swollen.
- Avoid drinking through straws while your piercing is healing.
- Avoid drinking carbonated beverages for 3-4 days. They can break the seal that is forming at the piercing site.
NO ORAL CONTACT: DO NOT: make any oral contact for at least 6 weeks. This includes wet kissing and oral sex without a barrier.
IF BARBELL STUD HAS BEEN USED: Remember to check the balls to make sure they are not coming loose. Once the swelling has decreased (usually 2-3 weeks) you may downsize the length of the stud.
