For: Lip, Cheek, Madonna, Monroe, Medusa.
Lip Labret piercings that have one opening outside of the Oral Cavity require both external and oral cleaning. It is done with a labret stud which has a flat back that goes inside the oral cavity and a shaft that ends on the outside of the face.
What you need to do:
1. Using a liquid or glycerine-based soap, such as Softsoap, work up a good lather and apply it to the area.
2. Take hold of either end of the stud and gently work the soap and water through the piercing, rocking the stud back and forth about 1 2 dozen times.
3. Rinse the soap out of the piercing by turning fresh warm water through the piercing in the same manner.
4. Pat the area dry and apply an antibiotic ointment, such a Polysporin or Neosporin (make sure its the ointment) to the bar and work it through in the same manner.
5. When it glides easily, remove the excess ointment as it dries out and causes crusties.
This whole process should take only a few minutes.
For how long:
1. For the first 7 days, with Original Listerine (yellow)4 times a day.
2. For the first 2 days, clean your piercing twice a day, morning and night.
3. Then begin to gradually wean off the cleanings, what we like to call getting lazy, by skipping random cleanings.
3. By the 7th day, you should be down to once a day.
4. Continue getting lazy, so that by the time 2 weeks have passed, you have completed the cleanings.
Note: Antibiotic ointment should be used only for the first 2 days after using the soap and water. It is not necessary after the first 48 hours and will not heal your piercing for you, nor is it strong enough to treat an infection.
Key Points:
1. Overcleaning can be a serious problem. More is not better. It can irritate and dry out the tissues supporting the jewellery. Symptoms of overcleaning are most commonly redness, dry skin (whiteness), and itchiness.
2. DO NOT GET OBESSED with cleaning.
3. As in any oral piercing, the urge is always there to play with the jewellery. Try as hard as you can to leave it alone. You will only cause more swelling, irritation and possible injury to teeth and gums.
4. The initial jewellery is too long for your piercing, as we have to acommodate for possible swelling. After about 3-4 weeks, seriously contemplate getting a fitted piece of jewellery as it lessens the chance of injuring your teeth, etc. It will also feel more comfortable.
5. Above all, DO NOT TOUCH your piercing unless it is absolutely necessary and you have clean hands.
