How to Stop Lip Piercing Embedding: 8 Effective Methods

New piercings frequently experience an issue called embedding, particularly lip piercings. Sometimes it goes away on its own, but other times it needs medical attention. In order to help you stop lip piercing embedding before it worsens, we’ve gathered some advice in this article.

Is It Normal for a Lip Piercing to Sink into Your Lip?

Lip or tongue piercings typically go through a “nesting” phase after they are newly done. When jewelry is pierced, the tissue becomes nested as a result. The tissue then shapes a pocket-like shape around the jewelry’s back.

Nesting is a typical response that helps shield your gums and teeth from being damaged or scraped by jewelry. There is no need to be concerned as long as the jewelry can move freely after it has been nested. Some people even prefer to self-induce nesting in their body piercings.

Nesting can be subtle; many people are unaware that it is taking place. They don’t realize the piercing is no longer pressing against their teeth until it has been a while.

Nesting becomes an issue, though, when more than 50% of the piercing sinks into the tissue, when the skin begins to cover the piercing, or when the piercing feels firmly tethered to its pocket. When this occurs, most people go to their piercers, while some seek medical help.

Why Your Lip Piercing is Embedding

For a variety of reasons, piercings can become embedded.

As previously mentioned, it may be, to some extent, a natural reaction to new oral piercings.

Utilizing the incorrect bar length is an additional factor. The swelling that follows a piercing will most likely cause your piercing to become embedded in your piercer uses a too-short bar.

Furthermore, if your piercer doesn’t properly insert your piercing, it will eventually become misaligned and embed itself in the tissue.

Additionally, if a piercing is not given the proper time to heal, it may become infected and nest in the tissue of your lip.

How to Stop a Lip Piercing from Embedding

Take Out the Piercing Jewelry.

You can remove the piercing jewelry and let your lip tissue heal completely if you notice that it is settling into the tissue. Try again with the piercing when you’re ready.

Replace the bar with a longer one
Experienced piercers frequently use a larger piece of jewelry to prevent getting stuck because piercings typically swell after being punctured. Then, when the piercing has fully healed, they replace it with an item of the proper size.

You’ll need to remove your piercing and replace it with a longer bar if your piercer used a small one.

Clean Your Piercing Frequently.

To help prevent infections after a new piercing, piercers advise using cleaning supplies like saline solution. To avoid swelling, infections, or embedding, abide by the instructions and clean the piercing frequently.

How to Stop Lip Piercing Embedding: 8 Effective Methods

Use the Right Metal.

Some people are allergic to particular metals used in jewelry. So make sure your piercer uses high-quality metal, such as titanium or steel, for your new piercing. If the jewelry is beginning to make your skin react, you should change it even if you already have piercings.

Apply Tea Tree Oil

The healing of wounds is aided by tea tree oil. It might also reduce any inflammation or redness in the vicinity.

Note: Steer clear of applying undiluted tea tree oil to an open wound. Clean the wound with a cotton pad soaked in a solution made from 1 teaspoon of tea tree oil and 1/2 cup of water. To clean the wound, you can also combine two parts of carrier oil, such as coconut oil, with one part of tea tree oil.

Choose An Experienced Piercer.

When you do decide to get a piercing, if you haven’t already, be sure to go with a reputable piercer. A competent piercer will select the appropriate jewelry size and insert it correctly. You can completely avoid embedding if they perform the task well enough.

Clean Your Lip Piercing Regularly.

Keep your lips clean—this one should go without saying. Use mild soap and warm water to wash it twice a day, and make sure to thoroughly rinse. After consuming anything besides water, you should also rinse your mouth with an alcohol-free mouthwash.

Don’t Smoke.

Smoking is bad for your health in general, but it’s particularly harmful to lip piercings. Cigarettes’ nicotine content can narrow your blood vessels, which can hinder healing and increase the risk of infection for your piercing. Therefore, if you smoke, now is a good time to stop!

Be Careful What You Eat and Drink

Your lip piercing can become irritated and take longer to heal if you consume hard foods or drink anything other than water. For the first few weeks after getting your piercing, stick to soft foods and drink water slowly through a straw.

What Should You Do When Your Lip Piercing is Nesting?

You should get in touch with your piercer right away so they can assess the situation. But if you can’t see your piercer, there are a few things you can do:

• Try to move the jewelry around to prevent nesting if the piercing isn’t completely stuck in the pocket and the swelling isn’t too bad.
• Always keep your piercing clean with saline solution, and then apply ice to soothe it.
• Until you can finally visit the piercer, take anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen to reduce the swelling.
The piercing should ideally not be touched or irritated, but if you absolutely must, make sure to thoroughly wash your hands before doing so.

How to Remove An Embedded Lip Piercing

Try to remove your piercing as soon as you realize it is embedded. Your piercing could become infected if you wait any longer.

It will be challenging to take the jewelry off by yourself, especially if the hole feels tight. The best course of action is to return to your piercer. But if that’s not possible, you can try to remove the jewelry with these steps:

• To make the embedded piercing slightly protrude from its cavity or pocket, apply pressure to the opposite side of the piercing.
• Once you can see the back of the jewelry visible above the lip, grab hold of it.
• While holding the piercing’s back, unscrew the piercing ball on the opposite side.
• Be gentle when removing the piercing.
It will be better to seek professional assistance if the pain is unbearable or if you can’t remove the piercing.

Final Thought: Be Careful

When it goes well, getting a piercing is a thrilling experience that can be satisfying. On the road to recovery, there may, however, be hiccups.

One of these obstacles is embedded piercings, but you shouldn’t let them make you abandon your piercing. You can preserve your piercing and make the most of it by using the advice in this guide.