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What Should I Consider When Getting a Lip Ring?
Piercing is a type of body art that has grown in popularity and with it the possibilities have grown. One of the areas of the body where it is becoming more common to see jewelry is on the lips. Although getting a lip ring may be something you want to do, it is something you should think carefully about first. Consider the method, maintenance, and impact on your life.
There are some false lip rings that clip around the lip, but generally piercing is required. Depending on where you get the piercing done, you may be given local anesthetic. In most cases, however, you will not receive any pain medication. Although the degree of discomfort can vary, for most people there is at least a slight amount of pain, which normally subsides quickly. Afterward, your lip is likely to be sore for at least several days.
After the piercing, your lip will swell and you will not be able to remove the lip ring. Generally, it is advisable to leave it as it is for about two weeks. During this time, you will have to deal with the appearance of a swollen lip. The piercing could present a bigger problem if it is a violation of your employer’s dress code.
Whether you will be able to wear your lip ring full time is something that needs to be considered because it will be an issue even after the swelling disappears. The lip is a fast-healing area and you will not be able to leave your lip ring out for long periods without the hole closing on the inside. For this reason, you should consider getting a spare and keeping it accessible at all times. Since the lip heals fast, you may think that it will be easy to get rid of your piercing when you do not want it anymore. To some degree this is true, but another thing to think about is that you will have a permanent hole on the surface of your skin.
Body jewelry often inspires people to get pierced. Before you get a lip ring, be aware of what is available because the options are normally limited. Some piercings offer the possibility of having a variety of jewelry, but with a lip piercing the possibilities are more limited.
If you decide to go through with it, choose a credible place to have it done. Make sure the implements are sterilized. Otherwise, you may pay for a lip piercing but get a terrible infection instead.
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![The lip is fast healing, and so you won't be able to go long periods without your lip ring before the hole closes.]()
By: Kirill KotlyarenkoThe lip is fast healing, and so you won't be able to go long periods without your lip ring before the hole closes. -
![A lip piercing will most likely cause the lip to swell.]()
By: muroA lip piercing will most likely cause the lip to swell.
Discussion Comments
@irontoenail - If you're going to a proper piercing studio then you don't have to worry too much about getting a proper lip ring. They will let you buy a lip ring there or it will be included in the package.
Make sure you go to a place that's been properly certified. They need to be sterilizing their equipment properly, not just washing it, but putting it in one of those heating chambers that they use in hospitals.
If they don't know what they're doing, your piercing could take forever to heal, or worse, you could get a serious disease. Be sensible about this. Infected piercings aren't at all sexy.
@bythewell - Well, it's not always a question of traditional beauty. I mean, sometimes it's a question of what is considered trendy and good looking within the subculture. People will often go with that kind of lip ring because they see it in magazines and on their friends and peers and are socialized into thinking it looks good (the way we all are socialized into thinking the norm looks good).
Or, they might just like the way it looks. I mean, it's not dissimilar to the beauty spot and that's considered a classic attribute even though it doesn't add to the symmetry of the face. The only word of caution I would add is that people should make sure they don't go with a cheap lip ring, particularly for the first few weeks. A cheap lip ring can be dangerous, as it can end up cutting your gums, or can even come out and be swallowed in your sleep. It might also start degrading in your saliva.
This is definitely a time to break the bank and get something that's going to last.
I really like those piercings that go through the center of the lip, but I've never understood the appeal of the ones that go through the side of the lip.
They aren't too bad if they are done on both sides, but if they are only done on one side, then it just looks lopsided. It's been shown that beauty is often a result of symmetry and that's particularly true of face shape. So, why someone would want to deliberately put something on their face that ruins the symmetry is beyond me.
I suspect that the ones put to the side also hurt more, as the sides of the mouth are scrunched up more often than the middle of the mouth, when you're smiling or talking or whatever. I'm not saying I don't think they should use lip ring jewelry, of course, I just don't understand that particular kind.
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