How to Hide a Lip Piercing from Parents or Bosses

Co-authored by Karissa Sanford and Jessica Gibson

Last Updated: February 4, 2023 References

If you've been wanting to get a lip piercing, but worry that your parents or boss won't take it well, you may need to hide it for a while. You'll need to plan a good time to get the piercing and allow it to heal. Once it's no longer swollen or discharging fluid, you can try a variety of things to conceal the piercing. This will buy you some time before you need to break the news to your parents or boss.

Part 1

Part 1 of 4:

Concealing the Hole

1
Apply a silicone primer. If your piercing has completely healed and you've removed the jewelry, dab silicone primer over the hole. A silicone primer should go on smoothly over the hole and help fill it in a little. Primer will also help cover any blemishes or red areas on your face.^{[1]
X
Research source}
- You can also put a little concealer over the primer to create the look of an even skin tone.
2
Use scar wax. Scar wax will be thick and difficult to work with right out of the container. Take a little out and warm it between your fingers to soften it and make it easier to apply. Thin the wax out so you can cover the hole and surrounding skin with the wax. Place a little spirit gum to the side of the scar wax that you'll place on the skin. Firmly, put the piece over the hole and use foundation to blend in the edges with the rest of your makeup.
- You can also find scar wax that comes in a tube, which may be easiest to use in small amounts. You can find scar wax and spirit gum at beauty supply stores, costume stores, or online.
- Spirit gum is a quick-drying adhesive used to attach prosthetics or makeup.
Advertisement
3
Wear a bandage. For many people, the hole from a lip piercing won't be very large or noticeable. But, if you'll be talking with your parents or boss and fear they'll see the hole up close, you can always cover it with a bandage. Wear a small circular blister bandage so you don't end up with a large bandage covering most of your lower face.
- If your piercing is still healing, you'll need to keep the jewelry. A bandage might be a good option for concealing the piercing as well. Just make sure that the bandage isn't pulling the piercing down or getting the jewelry sticky with adhesive.
4
Avoid covering a newly pierced hole with makeup. Since the piercing isn't flush with your skin, makeup may actually make the piercing stand out more. Makeup can introduce bacteria and cause infection if you use it while the piercing is still healing.
- You should also cover the pierced area with toilet paper or a tissue when you apply hair spray. This will prevent any from accidentally getting into the piercing.

Part 2

Part 2 of 4:

Concealing the Jewelry

1
Wear a clear retainer. Once the piercing has healed, you can wear a clear retainer. The retainer is smaller than a stud and designed to hide your piercing while keeping the hole filled. You should never use a retainer in the first few days after getting your piercing.^{[2]
X
Expert Source

Karissa Sanford
Body Piercing Specialist
Expert Interview. 29 October 2019.}
- Always keep the piercing filled with jewelry or a retainer while it's healing. The opening of the piercing can close up quickly if you remove the jewelry.^{[3]
  X
  Research source}
- You can also find retainers in a variety of skin tones or beauty marks.
- If you are unable to get a retainer, try using a small, flat piece of jewelry that matches your skin tone. a stud or other piece of jewelry that blends into your skin or looks like a freckle can also be a great option. Make sure to find one that sits flat against your lip and is comfortable to wear.^{[4]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Karissa Sanford
  Body Piercing Specialist
  Expert Interview. 29 October 2019.}
2
Wear distracting accessories. You might feel like everyone is staring at your piercing. To ease your mind and take the focus off of your lip piercing, wear distracting clothing or accessories. Instead of noticing your piercing, your parents or boss may be too busy paying attention to your stylish new look.
- For example, wear large bright scarves, bandanas or necklaces. You could also wear fun patterned ties or shirts to draw the eye away from your face.
3
Keep your hands away from your lip. If you're talking to your parents or boss, it may seem like a good idea to hold your chin in your hand and cover your mouth. But, touching your piercing area can introduce bacteria and cause an infection. To keep your piercing site healthy and clean, avoid touching, picking, or playing with the jewelry.^{[5]
X
Research source}
- Bringing your hands to your lip may actually draw attention to your mouth and the piercing instead of concealing it.
4
Consider growing facial hair. If you're a man and are planning on hiding the lip piercing for quite a while, you could grow facial hair. This will easily cover a clear retainer if you have a labret piercing.^{[6]
X
Research source}
- If you do grow facial hair to cover the piercing, you'll still need to maintain good hygiene by washing and cleaning the pierced area on a regular basis.

Part 3

Part 3 of 4:

Concealing Getting the Piercing

1
Check your state's laws. If you're under 18, many states require your parent or legal guardian to give permission before you're pierced. This usually means that your parent or legal guardian will have to accompany you and sign a consent form in person. Your parent or guardian might need to give state-issued photo identification or court documentation to prove your relationship.
- You can easily search your state's tattoo and piercing laws using an online database.^{[7]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  National Conference of State Legislatures
  Bipartisan, nongovernment organization serving the members of state legislatures and their constituents
  Go to source}
2
Consider when to get the piercing. The skin around your lip piercing will be noticeably irritated for a few days after you get the piercing done. Your skin may appear bruised or swollen and the piercing may discharge a white fluid. Because of these hard to conceal signs, plan to get the piercing when you can avoid your parents or boss for several days. If you can't completely avoid contact, try to keep your distance until the piercing heals.
- While the initial healing process takes several days, it will take 2 to 3 months for a lip piercing to completely heal.^{[8]
  X
  Research source}
3
Choose a clear bioplast loop or stud for the piercing. Ask the piercer to use this material because it's less noticeable than a metal loop or stud. Some piercers can safely use bioplast for your initial piercing. But, if your piercer isn't willing to work with this material, choose a plain stud.
- You've probably heard that you can hide a piercing by wearing a retainer. Although this is true, you can't use a retainer to get the piercing.

Part 4

Part 4 of 4:

Caring For Your Piercing

1
Keep the piercing clean. Follow the cleaning instructions that the piercer gave you. You'll probably need to wash the piercing with antibacterial soap, wear clean clothes, and change your sheets frequently to prevent infection. To keep your mouth healthy, use an antibacterial mouthwash that doesn't contain alcohol. Don't clean the skin around your piercing with rubbing alcohol or peroxide. These can dry your skin out.^{[9]
X
Research source}
- You should also avoid kissing or oral sex while your lip piercing heals.^{[10]
  X
  Research source}
2
Get medical attention if you develop an infection. You might need to tell someone about your piercing and get medical attention if the piercing becomes infected. An infection probably will not clear up on its own and could become serious if left untreated. Keep the piercing in (since removing the stud could trap the infection) and see a doctor if you experience any of the following:^{[11]
X
Research source}
- Pain that doesn't go away after a day or two
- Pain that's getting worse
- Unusual pain or swelling in the pierced area
- Yellow or green discharge (white is fine)
- Bleeding or tearing near the pierced area
- Fever
3
Give the piercing time to heal. It will be easier to hide the piercing once it's healed for a few days. The swelling won't be as noticeable and eventually you'll be able to wear retainers or posts that hide the piercing. Avoid rushing to conceal the piercing, since you may increase the risk of infection.^{[12]
X
Research source}
- If you need to buy yourself some time, you may want to use sick days. This way, you'll be able to rest up while avoiding your parents or boss.

Community Q&A

Question

When doesn't the hole close?

Community Answer

When it is fully healed. Even then, if you keep the piercing out for long enough, it eventually closes. After you've had it for a year, you should be able to leave it out for a few days without worrying about it closing up.
Question

When can I start removing the jewelry?

Community Answer

You have to let it heal for 6 to 10 weeks first, then you can remove it for short periods of time.
Question

What do I do if my parents don't approve but it's legal to get a piercing without their permission?

Community Answer

You don't need consent from your parents to get a piercing. You can talk to them about it and try to persuade them to your viewpoint, but ultimately it is your body and you should be free to do what you like.