Oral Piercings

[Zwitter]

I just got my lip pierced two days ago. All sorts of conflicting sources tell me not to smoke for three hours, a week, three weeks, or ever!

I got a titanium labret because I'm allergic to nickel. It hasn't flared up or anything like my nickel piercings used to. It's going really well. I take an advil every few hours if it feels irritated or swollen, and I rinse with Biotene after I eat. In the shower, I work a little Dial soap into the front and rinse it out.

My question is - has anyone had an oral piercing and continued to smoke? Did it work? How about vaporizing? I built a vape out of a lightbulb last night and it didn't seem to irritate me. (I got wicked high, too!) Do you guys have any experience as to how long I should abstain from normal smoking, or if I should just play it safe and vape until it completely heals?

Zwitter Reviewed by Zwitter on 11-10-2007. Oral Piercings I just got my lip pierced two days ago. All sorts of conflicting sources tell me not to smoke for three hours, a week, three weeks, or ever! I got a titanium labret because I'm allergic to nickel. It hasn't flared up or anything like my nickel piercings used to. It's going really well. I take an advil every few hours if it feels irritated or swollen, and I rinse with Biotene after I eat. In the shower, I work a little Dial soap into the front and rinse it out. My question is - has Rating: 5

[JDMBoy420]

dude, it's okay to smoke..trust me!... i got my lip pierced on the venice boardwalk..and right afterwards smoked at herbology..no irritation..and i continued to smoke with it everyday to even now.. and No problems..:thumbsup: Have Fun~!:stoned:

[geonagual]

Dont do it!! I just read the other day that if you EVER smoke with an oral piercing you will DIE...So, I guess you are done..no more sweet ganja for you...I hope it was worth it.:jointsmile:

[birdgirl73]

The reason they caution against smoking after a piercing or any sort of incision or surgery is that smoke of any kind is very drying, which can increase your chances of infection, and also because, for healing to occur, the tiniest little capillaries in your skin and underlying tissues have to reconnect and knit themselves back together to seal up a wound. Smoking inhibits that capillary re-knitting process (cigarettes are much greater inhibitors than cannabis, we suspect).

Plenty of people make the choice to smoke anyway and do just fine after piercings, oral surgeries or any other type of surgery. You have to be the one to decide whether you want to take that risk. You may find that you heal more slowly than you might otherwise, but you won't really have a basis for comparison if you haven't had other piercings or oral incisions involving smoke-free healing. If you do choose to go ahead and smoke, keep up your rinsing and washing routine, particularly after you smoke, and drink some extra fluids. Make sure your hands and nails are very clean, too, because some of our nastier staphylococcus buglets that can really cause bad drug resistant infections live under our fingernails and in our nasal passages. My guess is that you'll be just fine.

Did your piercing artist give you information on the signs to watch out for related to an infection? Red, raised, swollen, tender or a warm-to-the-touch area around the wound, particularly if those symptoms get progressively worse. (Obviously, a fresh piercing could be expected to have some normal swelling and/or tenderness, but you want to make sure that's getting better with each passing day instead of worse.) Fever. Red streaks emanating from the wound. Swollen lymph nodes. If you get any of those symptoms, call your doctor or health care provider.

[JDMBoy420]

LoL :bonghit: = :toilet_claw:

[Zwitter]

Thanks so much! I think I'll indulge occasionally until it heals and make sure I use Biotene when I'm done. It is a little warm and red right around the piercing, but the artist said that was okay. She also said if it gets like you said, with fever and steaks and lots of swelling, to come back and she'd take a look at it. Thanks again for your help!

[geonagual]

Thanks so much! I think I'll indulge occasionally until it heals and make sure I use Biotene when I'm done. It is a little warm and red right around the piercing, but the artist said that was okay. She also said if it gets like you said, with fever and steaks and lots of swelling, to come back and she'd take a look at it. Thanks again for your help!

No problem..it is your life to do with what you please..just remember that I warned you

[hreskofreight4]

im not trying to hate, but whats the point of a lip ring?

[birdgirl73]

Geo, now you've practically got me rolling on the floor, I'm laughing so hard!

You're welcome, Zwitter!

[yoursins]

They probably like how they look, that's why I got mine. I smoked with mine when I got it pierced, and it never troubled me. If you drink, stay away from beer for a week or so though. . .