Any jewelry that you insert into your body should first be cleaned and disinfected. Even if your piercing is healed, you don't know through whose hands your jewelry has passed before it gets to you. Cleaning your jewelry before insertion reduces the bacteria present on its surface and helps protect you against infection.
Autoclave Sterilization
The only way to fully sterilize jewelry is with an autoclave, a machine that uses high-pressure steam to remove all viable microorganisms from an object's surface. Some jewelry cannot be autoclave-sterilized without damaging the material, such as those made of acrylic. Metal jewelry can be autoclaved, making it ideal for initial piercings. Any jewelry that is to be inserted into a new or unhealed piercing must first be autoclaved to prevent cross-contamination and transmission of bloodborne pathogens.
Cold Sterilants
In situations where an autoclave is not available, piercers and surgeons may turn to liquid sterilant solutions, also called cold sterilants. Cold sterilants often consist of the chemicals formaldehyde, glutaraldehyde or stabilized hydrogen peroxide, which differs from the hydrogen peroxide sold in pharmacies.
These products can be purchased at tattoo and medical supply stores or online. Soaking jewelry in a liquid sterilant for the amount of time recommended on the product's label can remove the majority of viable microorganisms from its surface.
Antimicrobial Soap
Antimicrobial soap, such as Technicare, Satin or Provon, is sufficient for disinfecting body jewelry to be inserted into healed piercings. Antibacterial soap used with warm water for at least three minutes will also suffice. Wash your hands first, then use a new, soft toothbrush to thoroughly scrub jewelry before insertion. It is also a good idea to wash the outside of your lip with antimicrobial soap before you put the jewelry into your piercing.
Appropriate Jewelry for Lips
It is especially important to use the correct jewelry for oral piercings to prevent damage to the teeth and gums. Labret studs unscrew into three pieces--a bar, an external bead and a flat back that rests against the inside of your lip. Rings appropriate for lip piercings are captive bead rings, seamless rings and circular barbells. Captive bead rings use pressure to hold a bead in place between two prongs. Seamless rings have no beads and rotate freely through the lip. Circular barbells look a bit like horseshoes with beads on both ends.
Oral Piercing Safety
Only a piercer certified by the Association of Professional Piercers (AAP) should ever pierce any part of your body. A certificate from the APP in your piercer's studio is your assurance that her first aid and bloodborne pathogens certifications are current and that she has been trained in oral anatomy. Because of the risk of tooth and gum damage from piercings in and around the mouth, you should make sure your piercer knows how to minimize these risks and place the jewelry correctly.
Member Comments