How do I clean a sewing needle to pierce my lip?

Question

I want to pierce my lip myself. I know the risks and how to avoid them, and I know how to clean it. I've been researching this for months; I know what I'm doing.

Anyway, I'm using a sewing needle. I know this isn't as good of a way as a hollow needle, but it's been done before with no problems, and I understand that if I see the tiniest sign of rejection I'll need to take it out. My lip ring will be from Claire's, it's surgical steel.

Bottom line - my question is, how do I clean a needle? I would soak it in rubbing alcohol, but I don't have any. I heard hydrogen peroxide doesn't clean it at all. I am going to boil it for 20 minutes, but I want another way of cleaning it too, just to be safe. I won't put it over a flame, it turns the needle blue. I just want to know some form of cleaning it. Maybe what fluids to soak it in? By the way, I do have vodka at hand, would that help clean it at all?

***If you're gong to say it's gross and ugly - leave your beliefs to yourself. Go to a hate forum and hate on piercings there. Thanks.***

Answer 1

Tips

Make sure everything is CLEAN and STERILE.

Don't touch your piercing with your grubby hands. Always wash your hands before touching your piercing.

Don't play with it too much.

Keep it clean.

Warnings

dont use safety pins

dont use sewing needles/push pins

Answer 2

I know that you have to sterilize it. And yeah I get what you mean about people saying it might end up ugly, but i have friends who have self-pierced themselves and it came out fine.

Answer 3

I would boil it to make sure its clean, because that's the only way to kill off bacteria and viruses (rubbing alcohol won't). Make sure your using implant grade steel 316LVM because it is vacuum melted so that means it has very high levels of cleanliness. You probably won't be able to get that at Claire's so just get one at a local piercing shop. Also, be sure to wear gloves when you do this and wash your hands with antibacterial soap before..but u probably already knew that.

Answer 4

I know you said not to say this, but if you insist on doing it yourself, make sure you're 2000% in knowing what you're doing. My friend did his, he thought he knew what he was doing and his got badly infected.

I just read that you shouldn't use sewing needles nor safety pins, so try searching for a 14 gauge needle. They should come already clean so you can use them. I have no idea where you'd buy them, so try googleing it.

Answer 5

soak it on alcohal.  

Answer 6

is it turning blue a ba d thing? burn the needle then clean  the black/blue stuff off

Answer 7

1. Have it done professionally

2. Don't get it from Claire's

Answer 8

  Alcohul, soak it over night. The reason it is not nomally done at home is I think they use a gauged needle. If you boil it, put a lid on it, very high temp and allow almost all water to boil away.  

Answer 9

ouch, that sounds like that's gonna hurt, but as long as you know what your doing..go for it :)

I researched it online, and basically all the sites say to:

wash the needle in very hot water with soap (i don't think it matters what kind, anti-bacterial is prob best though) and then wipe it off with rubbing alcohol

                                           or

You can heat it with a lighter, or place it in boiling water.

Also alot of the sites recommend you buy a piercing needle (less risk of infection etc...)

Check out:

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_do_you_pie...

Hope it helped :)

Answer 10

you should put it over/ in a flame. it doesn't matter if its blue because it will sterilize it the best. good luck!