Labret Piercing - Swelling and Health Issues
Humans have practiced lower lip piercing, known as
"labret piercing," since ancient times. The Mayan, Eskimo, Hindu,
Chinese and American Indian cultures all have recorded histories of
labret piercing, most often in relation to spiritual rituals and
rites of passage etc. Today, labret piercing is one of the most
popular piercings. Just like any type of piercing, labret piercing
take some risks and you should be very careful in order to prevent
any infections etc.
Nerve Damage:
Sensory and motor nerves located in the lower lip region can be
severed and damaged by piercing. Nerve damage can result in loss of
mobility in your facial muscles or loss of feeling to your face, a
condition medically referred to as "paresthesia."
Infection
The primary risk of a labret, as with all body piercings, is
infection. Oral piercings are at greater risk for infection due to
the bacteria found in saliva. A rigorous aftercare program, as
recommended by a qualified piercer, will minimize this risk. Special
considerations for oral piercings include no deep kissing or
oral-genital contact until the piercing is healed. Avoid
alcohol-based mouthwashes; use a saline gargle instead. Avoid spicy
foods during the healing process.
Swelling
Swelling happens when the piercing hole is fresh, so it takes some
time for the piercing to heal. Simply follow the aftercare advices
given by your piercing artist and avoid any kind of possible
infection.
Jewelry
In the first two weeks, it's very important to wear a titanium
piercing jewelry. Titanium is the most common material, especially
for new, fresh piercings. So, ask your piercing artist for an advice
and carefully choose your jewel for the first two weeks. This is
very important in order to avoid any possible risks. Don't change
the jewel in the first two or even three weeks, during the healing
time.
Gum Recession
Labret jewelry can rub against and erode gum tissue over time,
causing the gums to recede and expose the roots of the front teeth.
This leaves the teeth vulnerable to damage and loss. Gum damage is
irreversible without expensive and painful surgery. Smoking greatly
increases the risk of gum damage.
Tooth Damage
Labret jewelry can also rub on the tooth enamel itself, weakening
the surface of the tooth and making it more susceptible to cracking,
chipping and cavities. Like gum damage, damage to the teeth is
irreversible; tooth enamel does not regenerate. Only surgery can
correct this issue.
Scars and Permanent Holes:
If you choose to remove your labret piercing at some point, chances
are high that a small spot or dent will remain once the hole has
closed up. If the labret hole was stretched, it could leave a
permanent hole once the jewelry is removed. Worse, this hole will
allow saliva to leak out of the mouth. Holes like this may be
corrected with cosmetic surgery.
Bloodborne Disease
Take care to ensure the your piercing is done under strictly sterile
conditions. Improper sterilization of piercing instruments can
introduce bacteria and viruses into your bloodstream. "The New York
Times" notes that contaminated piercing equipment can spread
hepatitis and HIV, as well as other diseases.
Tearing
There is the risk of the labret jewelry becoming snagged on some
external object and tearing either through the skin, or upwards
through the lip. This can result in disfiguring scars to the face.
Cleaning Tips
Antibacterial soap
There were a lot of discussions about the antibacterial soaps in the
past years, and we came to realize that neither Betadine nor
Antibacterial Soap is good for healing a fresh piercing as you're
attempting to heal the skin within the hole and the chemicals are
far too harsh and actually kill off skin cells rather than help with
healing. This kind of soaps are good for your personal hygiene. Wash
your hands every time you change your piercing jeweler.
Do Not use alcohol-that could sting if it gets too close to the new
piercing and is far too harsh for a fresh piercing. And removing the
unattractive coloration isn't just an aesthetic issue. Iodine should
be removed from the skin after the piercing is done to prevent any
irritation.
The most appropriate age to have a piercing done is 16+, because the
body is still growing and forming.
The jewelry is extremely important especially for the first
piercing. The preferable metal is titanium, as this one is the most
convenient and does not contain toxic substances, which reduces the
chances of allergies, suppuration and infections. Normally, it is
essential that the piercing has the appropriate size for the body
spot where it is going to be placed.