Getting a lip piercing can be an exciting and bold way to express your personal style. However, caring for a new lip piercing requires some adjustments to your normal habits while the piercing heals. One common question is whether you can drink juice after getting a lip piercing.
Can I drink juice after a new lip piercing?
Most professional piercers recommend avoiding drinking juice for at least the first few days after getting a new lip piercing. This is because the high sugar content in juice can promote bacterial growth and lead to infection in the new piercing. The acidic nature of juice can also irritate and prolong healing.
Drinking juice right after a new lip piercing can:
- Transfer bacteria into the fresh wound, increasing infection risk
- Cause swelling and irritation from juice acids contacting the wound
- Dislodge jewelry, disrupt forming clots, and delay healing
So it’s generally best to avoid juice until the skin has partially healed, usually after 3-5 days. Even then, drinking juice sparingly is recommended for at least the first two weeks while the piercing continues healing.
When can I start drinking juice again?
Most piercers recommend waiting 3-5 days after getting a new lip piercing before consuming any juice. At this point, the piercing should be partially healed and won’t be as vulnerable to irritation.
After the first 3-5 days, it’s okay to slowly introduce gentle juices sparingly. But more acidic, sugary juices should still be avoided for 2 weeks or longer. Drink water to stay hydrated instead.
Here are some general juice drinking guidelines based on healing stage:
- Days 1-3: Avoid all juices
- Days 4-7: Limit to 1-2 oz gentle juice per day (grape, cranberry)
- Week 2: Limit to 4 oz gentle juice per day
- Weeks 3+: Slowly resume normal juice consumption, avoiding very acidic juices (orange, grapefruit)
Always rinse your mouth with clean water after consuming any juice to wash away residual sugar and acid.
What juices should I avoid?
For the first two weeks while your lip piercing is healing, avoid drinking the following types of juice:
- Citrus juices like orange, grapefruit, or lemon. The high acidity is very irritating.
- Pineapple juice. Contains bromelain enzymes that act as blood thinners and can increase bleeding and swelling.
- Tomato juice. Highly acidic.
- Apples juices. Contains moderate acidity that can irritate.
- Sugary juices like apple, grape, mango. The sugar promotes bacterial overgrowth.
Even once fully healed, it’s smart to avoid pouring very acidic juices directly over your piercing as the acidity can damage jewelry and erode tooth enamel under the piercing over time.
Best juices to drink after a new lip piercing
Some juices are gentler and less likely to disrupt a new lip piercing. These are the best juice options for the first two weeks of healing:
- Cranberry juice. Provides antioxidants and vitamin C without excessive acidity.
- Grape juice. Relatively low acidity.
- Coconut water. Contains electrolytes like potassium to promote healing without acid or sugar.
- Aloe vera juice. Soothes inflammation and supports healing.
- Watered-down juices. Dilute sugary or acidic juices with water by 50% or more.
When consuming any juice, take small sips instead of large gulps, which can dislodge jewelry. And always rinse your mouth after drinking juice.
What can I drink besides juice after a new lip piercing?
While it’s best to avoid juice the first few days after getting pierced, you need to stay hydrated. Here are some recommended lip piercing-friendly beverages:
- Water. Drink frequently to stay hydrated. Be sure water is filtered or bottled.
- Ice chips. Sucking on ice helps soothe swelling.
- Tea. Drink unsweetened organic herbal tea. Green tea provides antioxidants.
- Black coffee. The heat helps reduce swelling and discomfort.
- Coconut water. Provides electrolytes without sugar.
- Non-acidic fruit smoothies. Blended without juice or sweeteners.
- Clear broths. Drink warm broths and avoid solid food particles.
Avoid drinking alcohol, energy drinks, carbonated sodas, sweetened drinks, or any fluids through a straw, as these can disrupt healing.
Tips for drinking with a healing lip piercing
Once you start slowly introducing juices and other beverages back into your diet, follow these tips to allow proper lip piercing healing:
- Rinse mouth after drinking juice to wash away residue
- Avoid pouring juice directly over piercing site
- Take small sips instead of gulping down juices
- Wait 30 minutes after meals before drinking juice
- Mix a pinch of sea salt into juice or water to prevent infection
- Swish diluted alcohol free mouthwash after juice to sanitize piercing
- Pat dry piercing gently after rinsing or drinking
- Avoid using straws, which can tug on jewelry
How long until I can drink normal juice again?
It takes about 6-8 weeks for a lip piercing to fully heal. During this time, drinking sugary, acidic juices regularly could prolong healing and raise your risk of complications.
Here’s a general timeline for returning to normal juice drinking after a new lip piercing:
- 2 weeks: Limit gentle juices to 4 oz daily
- 3 weeks: Slowly introduce more varieties of juice, max 8 oz daily
- 4 weeks: Begin drinking moderate amounts of gentle juices
- 6-8 weeks: Resume drinking all juices normally
However, even once healed, rinsing your mouth after having acidic juices will help prevent tooth damage or jewelry discoloration. And be gentle removing any crusts near the piercing.
Signs of juice irritation in a healing piercing
Drinking juice too soon after a new lip piercing can irritate the wound and lead to complications. Watch for these signs of irritation and stop drinking juice if they develop:
- Redness
- Swelling
- Tenderness
- Bleeding
- Prolonged crusting
- Green, yellow, or foul-smelling discharge (sign of infection)
- Hot to the touch
- Severe pain beyond normal soreness
- Difficulty opening mouth or speaking
- Jewelry embedding into the skin
See your piercer immediately if any signs of infection or excessive irritation occur after drinking juice. Leaving an irritated piercing untreated can lead to scarring, abscesses, or jewelry rejection.
Can juice help lip piercing heal faster?
While juice contains beneficial vitamins and minerals, its high sugar and acid content can actually delay healing after a new lip piercing rather than help it heal faster.
Here are some examples:
-
Orange juice
Contains vitamin C to support wound healing, but very acidic and irritating. -
Apple juice
Has antioxidants but high natural sugar feeds bacteria. -
Tomato juice
Provides vitamin A but is also highly acidic.
A better alternative is getting vitamins and minerals from supplements specially formulated to support piercing healing and immunity without potential drawbacks.
Some examples include:
- Oral piercing care spray with tea tree oil and vitamins E and C
- Zinc supplements to boost immunity
- Probiotic supplement to improve oral microbial balance
- Coconut oil contains lauric acid to fight bacteria
Avoid applying juice directly on the piercing as residue can trap bacteria. And drink juice sparingly based on healing stage for best results.
How to clean a lip piercing after drinking juice
It’s important to properly clean your lip piercing after consuming any food and drink, including juice, to prevent infection and encourage healing. Here are some cleaning tips:
- Rinse mouth thoroughly with clean water after drinking juice to remove residue. Let water run over the piercing site.
- Gently brush jewelry and skin around the piercing using a soft-bristle toothbrush and mild antibacterial soap.
- Apply a salt water soak of 1/4 teaspoon sea salt dissolved in one cup of warm distilled water. Submerge piercing for 5-10 minutes.
- Use a cotton swab soaked in saline wound wash or tea tree oil solution to gently clean piercing hole openings.
- Pat dry the area thoroughly after cleaning using disposable paper towels or gauze.
- Avoid over-cleaning more than twice daily as this can slow healing.
Always wash hands thoroughly before touching the piercing. And avoid using alcohol-based mouthwashes, hydrogen peroxide, ointments, or other harsh products that can dry out the wound.
Conclusion
Getting a new lip piercing requires adjusting your normal diet and drinking habits while it heals. Because of its high sugar and acid content, most piercers recommend avoiding drinking juice entirely for 3-5 days after you get pierced.
After the first few days, introduce only small amounts of gentle, low-acid juices like grape or cranberry juice. Avoid citrus, pineapple, tomato, apple, and sugary juices for at least 2 weeks until the piercing starts closing up.
Drink plain water, herbal tea, black coffee, or coconut water instead to stay hydrated. Always rinse your mouth after having any juice to prevent residue buildup near the piercing hole.
With proper care and cleaning, you can slowly resume normal juice drinking in 6-8 weeks once your lip piercing has fully healed. But continue rinsing after having acidic juices to prevent tooth and jewelry damage over time.
