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Most lip piercings take eight to twelve weeks to heal, and the mouth makes the healing period more demanding than the timeline suggests.
Healing time by lip piercing
| Piercing | Healing | Downsize at |
|---|---|---|
| Labret | 8 to 12 weeks | 2 to 4 weeks |
| Side labret | 8 to 12 weeks | 2 to 4 weeks |
| Medusa | 8 to 12 weeks | 2 to 4 weeks |
| Monroe | 8 to 12 weeks | 2 to 4 weeks |
| Ashley | 8 to 12 weeks | 2 to 4 weeks |
| Snake bites | 8 to 12 weeks | 2 to 4 weeks |
| Spider bites | 8 to 12 weeks | 2 to 4 weeks |
| Angel bites | 8 to 12 weeks | 2 to 4 weeks |
| Shark bites | 8 to 12 weeks | 2 to 4 weeks |
| Vertical labret | 8 to 12 weeks | 3 to 6 weeks |
| Jestrum | 8 to 12 weeks | 3 to 6 weeks |
| Angel fangs | 8 to 12 weeks | 3 to 6 weeks |
| Dahlia | 8 to 16 weeks | 3 to 6 weeks |
These are typical ranges from our guides. A 2005 review in American Family Physician gives six to eight weeks for the lip. We use the longer range, because the Association of Professional Piercers (APP) warns that a piercing may seem healed before the healing process is actually complete. Types of lip piercings compares the group.
The downsize
A lip piercing starts with a longer post than you will need, to leave room for swelling. The APP says that once swelling has subsided, it is vital to replace the original, longer jewelry with a shorter post to avoid damage to the teeth and gums, and that this change often happens during healing, so a qualified piercer should do it. Piercing downsizing explains why.
While it heals
The APP’s oral aftercare advises:
- Eating. Take your time until you are used to the piercing, and avoid spicy, salty, acidic or hot foods.
- Mouthwash. Avoid mouthwash containing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide.
- Playing with the jewelry. Do not. The APP says the long-term effects include permanent damage to the teeth and gums.
- Kissing. Avoid oral sexual contact, including wet kissing and oral sex, during healing.
- Water. Avoid submerging a healing piercing in lakes, pools, oceans and even the bathtub. See swimming with a new piercing.
Teeth and gums
The American Dental Association says you can crack a tooth by biting down too hard on a piercing, and that repeated clicking of the jewelry against your teeth can also cause damage. It says a habit of biting or playing with the piercing can injure your gums.
A 2023 systematic review (Mosaddad and colleagues) reports gum recession with lip piercings, citing a study in which 80 percent of people with labial piercings showed signs of it at one or more piercing sites. It also finds that the longer tongue and lip piercings are kept in, the greater the likelihood and severity of dental problems, and that periodic dental examinations can help prevent and reduce complications. Tell your dentist about the piercing.
When to see a doctor
The APP says if you suspect an infection in an oral piercing, seek medical attention. The American Dental Association says to contact your dentist or physician immediately if there are signs of infection, and that an infection can quickly become life threatening. Leave the jewelry in unless a doctor says otherwise. Irritated or infected piercing has a symptom table.
Not medical advice
This page is educational. If a piercing is hot, has spreading redness, thick coloured discharge or red streaks, or you feel unwell, see a doctor the same day.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a lip piercing take to heal?
Our guides give eight to twelve weeks for most lip piercings and eight to sixteen for a dahlia. A 2005 American Family Physician review gives six to eight weeks for the lip. The APP warns that a piercing may seem healed before the healing process is actually complete, so plan for the longer figure.
When should I downsize a lip piercing?
Our guides give two to four weeks for most lip piercings and three to six for the vertical labret, jestrum and angel fangs. The APP says that once swelling has subsided, it is vital to replace the original, longer jewelry with a shorter post to avoid damage to the teeth and gums, and that a qualified piercer should do it.
What can I eat and drink with a new lip piercing?
The APP says to take your time with eating until you are used to the piercing, and to avoid spicy, salty, acidic or hot foods. It also advises avoiding mouthwash containing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide.
When can I kiss with a new lip piercing?
The APP's oral aftercare says to avoid oral sexual contact, including wet kissing and oral sex, during healing. It also says to avoid submerging a healing piercing in lakes, pools, oceans and even the bathtub.
Can a lip piercing damage my teeth and gums?
It can. The American Dental Association says you can crack a tooth by biting down too hard on a piercing, that repeated clicking against your teeth can cause damage, and that biting or playing with it can injure your gums. A 2023 systematic review reports gum recession with lip piercings and finds that the longer they are kept in, the greater the likelihood and severity of problems.
What if it looks infected?
The APP says if you suspect an infection in an oral piercing, seek medical attention. The American Dental Association says to contact your dentist or physician immediately if there are signs of infection, and that an infection can quickly become life threatening.
Sources
- Meltzer (2005) - Complications of body piercing. American Family Physicianhttps://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2005/1115/p2029.html
- Association of Professional Piercers - Oral aftercarehttps://safepiercing.org/oral-aftercare/
- Association of Professional Piercers - Suggested aftercare for body piercingshttps://safepiercing.org/aftercare/
- American Dental Association (MouthHealthy) - Oral piercingshttps://www.mouthhealthy.org/all-topics-a-z/oral-piercings
- Mosaddad et al. (2023) - Oral complications associated with the piercing of oral and perioral tissues, and the awareness of the public and professionals: a systematic review. Diagnosticshttps://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10647284/
This article is for education only and is not medical advice. If a piercing is hot, swollen, spreading redness, oozing yellow or green discharge, or you have a fever, see a doctor today.