How to Take out a Lip Ring

Co-authored by David Wilkins

Last Updated: September 5, 2023

Lip piercings and snake bite piercings are a common practice in many parts of the world, and are a very popular way to express your personality and individuality. Although you might love the way your piercing looks, you may have to remove it eventually. Removing your piercing might seem like an intimidating undertaking, but with proper hygiene and a gentle touch, it can be a very simple and painless process. Just remember to allow at least two weeks of healing time from when you first had your lip pierced to make sure you don't irritate your lip.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Preparing To Remove Your Lip Ring

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Disinfect your mouth with antiseptic mouthwash. ^{[1]
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Research source} This will help to clear out any bacteria, and disinfect the piercing site inside your mouth. Simply pour ½ a capful of mouthwash into your mouth, and swish it around for 30 seconds. Then spit out the mouthwash.
2
Disinfect your hands. Wash your hands with antibacterial soap to get rid of impurities on your hands and fingers. After you have thoroughly lathered your hands with soap and water, rinse the soap off with clean water. Then, lather your fingertips again with soap and water, and lather the skin around your piercing to clean it. Rinse your lip with water, and dry your hands and face with a paper towel.
- After washing your hands, apply a salt water solution (1 cup of water mixed with 1 tbsp of salt) to the area before touching. Most piercers recommend using a cotton swab to remove some of the crusty residue.

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Removing Your Lip Ring

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1
Hold the piercing in place. Bite down on the backing of your piercing using your front teeth to clamp down. You don’t have to bite down super hard, just with enough pressure to keep piercing in place while you work to remove it. ^{[2]
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Research source}
- Make sure to be careful as to not damage your teeth.
2
Twist off the end of the piercing. Use your thumb and pointer finger to twist off the bead that is on the outside of the piercing. Twist the bead to the left, loosening the bead until you can remove it completely. Once you have removed the bead, you can let go of the inside of the piercing with your teeth. ^{[3]
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Research source}
- Hoop piercings normally have a compression ball in between the two ends of the hoop. These can be difficult to remove, so it may be best to visit your local piercing to help with the removal.
- Some hoop piercings are pinched together for a close (rather than having a compression ball between the two ends of the hoop), and these piercings can be pulled apart by pulling the metal in opposite directions. You might want some help from a professional piercer to remove these kinds of lip rings.
Take out your lip ring by removing it from the inside of your mouth. Use your thumb and pointer finger to grip the backing of the lip ring and remover it from your pierced hole. ^{[4]
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Research source} Never twist a piercing while it is still in your skin.
4
Clean out the piercing site. Disinfect your mouth again by rinsing with some mouthwash. Make sure to thoroughly clean your lip piercing using antibacterial soap and water.
- Once you have cleaned and dried your lip jewelry with a paper towel, consider storing it in a small, sandwich baggie. That way, you will keep it clean from outside elements. ^{[5]
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  Research source}

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Question

How do you clean a lip ring?

David Wilkins
Professional Body Piercer
David Wilkins is a Professional Body Piercer and the Owner of The Axiom Body Piercing Studio in Des Moines, Iowa. David has been working in the industry since 1994 and is knowledgeable about all aspects of the body piercing industry. He runs an educational YouTube channel specializing in sharing expert body piercings and tattoo information. He completed his apprenticeship in body piercing in Omaha, Nebraska.

David Wilkins

Professional Body Piercer

Expert Answer

Soap and water is perfectly fine. You can put it in an ultrasonic cleaner, like you would any other type of jewelry, and that should clean up. If it's a high quality piece of jewelry, the finish on it is going to be such a high finish that it should be well protected. And just basic cleaning is all you'll need to do.

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Question

If my piercing has two balls on it, which one do I unscrew?

Community Answer

It depends on the exact ring you have and how it was put in. If you can't figure it out by testing each ball, go back to your piercer and ask them for help.

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How do you remove a lip ring that does not have a ball?

Community Answer

If it's a ring you pull with two fingers, then pull slowly until it opens and you can slowly pull it all the way out.

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Tips

If it's stubborn, use vitamin-E or olive oil for lubrication. Do not use petroleum jelly, as it will collect bacteria and cause infection.

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Wait until your piercing is fully healed to take it out. This healing process can take up to 10 weeks, if not a bit longer.

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Use an ice cube if it's puffy or take ibuprofen.

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Warnings

Make sure you don't rush while taking it out.

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Never rip it out.

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Always clean your piercing and pierced hole after you take out the jewelry.

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How to Take out a Lip Ring

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Preparing To Remove Your Lip Ring

Removing Your Lip Ring

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