From the time you have seen that really cool lip piercing adorned by a model in the magazine, you have been wanting to get something similar done. If this is true in your case, here are some instructions that will help you in piercing your own lip.
Lip piercing is one among the different types of body piercings that has gained popularity in the recent years. Most people, especially teenagers and youngsters, consider that a stud on their lips gives a cool and sexy look to their face. Though the best way to get lip piercings done is to go to a professional body piercer, there are many who are looking for ways to do it on their own. One of the reasons is the age bar, i.e., most countries need the person to be at least 18 years old to do any kind of body piercing. Another reason is that getting a lip piercing done can be quite expensive which not many people can afford. In such circumstances, doing it yourself is the only alternative that one has. Though many people have done lip piercings on their own, the risk of complications is higher as compared to piercing done by a professional. However, if you are still keen on doing the piercing on your own, this article offers instructions to do it.
DISCLAIMER: Lip piercings should be done by a professional. Avoid doing any type of body piercings by yourself or without the guidance of a professional as there are high risks that you might affect a nerve unknowingly.
Lip Piercing at Home
Things Required
- Professional needle
- Lip jewelry
- Clean gloves
- Tissues
- Ointment
- Saline water
- Antibacterial soap
- Washable marker
- Clamps (optional)
There are many people who ask their friends to pierce their lips at home. This has to be completely avoided unless your friend is a piercing expert. This is because you have a better judgment of what would be right for you, and you will also be able to control the pain to a certain extent. Also, if some problem occurs, your friend will be in deep trouble.
On the other hand, by doing your own piercing, you are actually taking the responsibility of whatever happens after the piercing is done. So, if you are determined about piercing your lips on your own, here are some steps that you have to follow very strictly.
Step 1
The first step of lip piercing is to choose the appropriate piercing. Never use a safety pin, as it is not hygienic. Though people make use of sewing needles, they may not be effective because holes created with the help of these needles are not very big. Hence, the best equipment that one should use for lip piercing is a professional needle. Other things that one must be ready with, before piercing the lip, are jewelry, clean gloves, tissue papers, breathing mask, safety glasses, etc.
Step 2
Now, as you have the proper equipment with you, it is fine to proceed to the next step. However, the second step is not beginning with the piercing process. Rather, there is a very important procedure that has to be undertaken before doing the piercing―cleaning the equipment. This is extremely crucial, especially if you are using sewing needles that have been lying around the house for some time. The best way to clean the needles is by boiling and sterilizing the needle in water for more than ten minutes. Along with the needle, it is also important to clean the jewelry that you are going to wear after the piercing is done to prevent any kind of bacterial infection.
Step 3
Once you have cleaned the equipment of lip piercing, the next thing would be to continue with the piercing. However, before you actually pass the needle through your lips, cleaning that area thoroughly with an antibacterial soap is important. After this is done, mark the area of the lip that you are going to pierce, with a washable marker.
Step 4
Now comes the major part―the actual piercing. When you are ready, wear the hand gloves, and get ready by taking the needle in your hand. Do not touch any other surface with your gloved hands. Hold the area that you want to pierce with one hand, hold your breath, and pierce the needle where you left a mark. Make sure that the needle goes straight into the lips and not in an angular way.
Note.― If you want tips for piercing lips without pain, one thing you can do is to bring your lips into the needle rather than pushing the needle into it. Applying ice on the area before piercing can also help in lessening the pain.
Step 5
Once you have done this, it is important to put in the jewelry as soon as you take out the needle because the hole may get closed very soon; sometimes, even in ten minutes after the piercing. For this, take the jewelry in your hand, and then, take the needle out of your lip. Slip the jewelry gently into the piercing, and secure it with the screw. However, you may need to try a number of times, before you are able to fit the jewelry on your lip perfectly.
Healing and Aftercare
Your responsibility does not end once you are done with the piercing. Rather, you have to be very careful till the lip piercing has fully healed. The average healing time for lip piercing is two months, though some may take more or less time than that. You may observe a discharge from the pierced area. Though the discharge during the first few days is greenish or yellow in color, it will not last for a long time. Therefore, if you observe such discharge during the following weeks, it can be a sign of a lip piercing infection. If you find any such thing during your healing time, rush to the health practitioner as soon as possible. Other things that one has to take care of during the healing period is avoid drinking alcohol, smoking, eating spicy foods, swimming, etc., as these activities can irritate the piercing and cause infection. It is also extremely crucial to clean the lip piercing twice every day by using a saline solution.
However, all said and done, I would like to say that lip piercing at home is a risky business and can give rise to dangerous complications if proper care is not taken. So, think and research well before taking any step. If you are a teenager, talking to your parents or other caregivers about this is extremely crucial to prevent ugly consequences.
