This will most likely be my last mod for a little while. I always wanted to get my lip pierced. I think this particular piercing is what first attracted me to body modification. But I think at that time I was still a child and wasn't really sure of what got me up. To help me help you imagine the pain (even though it varies for each individual) I will tell you that I had my tongue, my ears, my nipples, and my foreskin pierced. I think the least painful piercing was my nipples, and most unpleasant piercing was my tongue. The most recent of my piercings, which I'm about to describe, was not too painful however was the second most unpleasant feeling next to the tongue.
At A Glance Author Agrest Contact Agrest@bme.anon IAM Agrest When A month ago Artist Josh Studio Planet Ink Location Ottawa, Ontario, Canada I was going to get my lip pierced over a year ago in Toronto. But like so many parents mine were not willing to accept the piercing. So I had to wait a while. I waited and remembered my mom saying "you live in my home, under my care and you won't get your lip pierced as long as you live under this roof," Because my University was in a far away city I could now take advantage of what my mother said. After all, I wasn't living under her roof any more. But it still took me six months to finally get it done.
Initially I wanted to have just the side of my lip pierced. I even put on earrings from previous piercings which are either stretched or retired to see what it'd look like. At first I didn't like it. I didn't think it looked comfortable on me. So I tried on two rings, one on each side and was much happier.
I went to Planet Ink here in Ottawa where a 2 for 1 sale occurs every day from Monday to Thursday. This was perfect since I wanted both sides pierced. Finally my turn had come and I told my piercer what I wanted done. He and his mate were somewhat surprised and excited (perhaps it was his first double lip piercing, I don't know). I asked if I could choose the gauge and he said 14 is the only size they do it in. Alright, even though that isn't even a rule (larger gauges are perfectly fine) I went along with it. I sat down with my coat on (make sure you don't keep your coat on because you'll probably be too warm) and was ready. The piercer didn't really go through the procedure at all. He just told me he was ready, without even knowing where I wanted the piercings to be located. So I told him that I want to choose where to have it pierced. He dotted the two spots. One was higher than the other, he didn't see that so I told him. So he redrew it and I agreed that they were good. I rinsed with mouthwash and was ready to go. He did the right side first, which was not too painful, although a bit uncomfortable (simply because blood rushes to the head). The second was done right away. He inserted the first ring before piercing the left side, and that was the only period in which I rested. Once done he asked me whether I knew how to take care of it (it seemed he wasn't even going to tell me) and I replied that I don't (even though I have a pretty good idea). So he told me to rinse with salt water and mouthwash. If it got swollen I should take Advil Extra Strength. That was it. I wasn't offered water or anything like that, which I thought was a bit unprofessional. He showed off the piercings to the tattooist and I went on my way.
I got home and noticed he pierced one side lower than the other. It was not noticeable until I looked closely in the mirror, but it was still bothersome for a few days. I didn't feel like going back to get it repierced so I kept it. It's really not too bad, but it's not as well done as I had hoped. I have to say that the place is a bit unprofessional. It was clean, however the service (lack of water, talking to your mates during the procedure instead of calming the customer) put me off a bit. If I were to get another piercing (which I don't plan to for a while) I would not go back there. Josh, the piercer, was friendly to some degree, but unprofessional.
The piercing is now a week old. I tried eating a pita but it hurt like heck, especially as it was on the second day. I then decided to eat only foods which I could put in my mouth instead of biting, so as to not touch my lip. It is not advisable to use mouthwash (as there is alcohol in most) except for natural mouth washes. I use a tea tree mouth wash which is all natural and has no alcohol. It's very mild, but effective. Another mouthwash I'm using is (natural as well) made with sea salt water and natural healing oils. You can get these at health food stores. Be prepared to pay a bit of money for them. For the tea tree mouthwash (called Tea Tree Therapy) I paid about CAN$10 for a 354 ml. bottle, whereas the commercial mouth washes are CAN$6 for a litre or a litre and a half. But it is well worth it, not only for the piercing, but for your mouth in general. If you don't want to use mouthwash, or want to use something with it I suggest you make your own. This is what I also u se. A cup of boiled water with a teaspoon (or about half) of sea salt. Stir it, let it cool. I then add a single drop of tea tree oil (again it's best to use the most natural oil without other oils in it). Mix and rinse your mouth with it and soak your piercing in it. It's a bit hard to soak lips in a cut, so you might want to use a larger container of some sorts. I rinse every few hours or after I eat. I wash the outside of my lip three times, sometimes four when I eat something messy. If you don't think you're eating well I'd suggest you eat a lot of fruit and veggies to help your piercing heal a bit faster and successful.
My lip is very swollen in the mornings when I wake up. This is not uncommon so don't worry if the same happens to you. Just be prepared for it with some ice cubes. I feel it helps to have a shower and have the water splash on your lip (make sure not to overdo it though). My lip was especially swollen today so I went to the piercer and told him. I wanted to change the ring but he didn't have any larger ones so he sent me to another shop where they had ones much too big. Both of the shops are Planet Ink just in different locations. Instead I got some advice from the second shop (where I didn't get pierced) to take some Advil Extra Strength for the swelling. I left unhappy. I don't understand how a shop doesn't have proper equipment and jewelry. Make sure you do your research and try not to go to a shop just because it's cheap. Money isn't a big deal when your piercing isn't what you expected. Another problem I'm having is chapped lips (mostly due to the swelling and the rings being slightly too tight when the lip is swollen). But I use a lot of chap stick (again natural hemp stuff).
I won't say I'm unhappy. I'm happy because I have it pierced. And a little discomfort won't really make me unhappy. Just make sure that you find a good piercer (perhaps mine is great, however this one didn't turn out all too well) and do your research before getting any piercing.
UPDATE: I decided to wait a few more weeks before submitting this to BME. The piercing is now almost a month old and is still healing. I still get crusties around the rings. The lip is no longer swollen and no longer hurts. Only when I irritate it with a sandwich or something similar does it slightly hurt. I am much happier with the piercings now than I was when I first wrote this experience. I was not expecting the attention, but nearly everywhere I go people comment or ask questions. It doesn't bother me. People are curious (just as you are, reading this) so if anyone asks you about it don't be shy!