How Do You Change a Monroe Piercing?

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Things You'll Need

  • Antibacterial soap

  • Antiseptic mouthwash

  • Paper towels

  • Latex or nitrile gloves (optional)

  • Benzylkonium chloride solution (optional)

The same jewelry is worn in labret and Monroe piercings.

A Monroe piercing, also called a Madonna piercing, is named in honor of these celebrities' beauty marks. The piercing goes through the upper lip and off to one side. The jewelry worn in a Monroe piercing is a labret stud. Labret studs look like post earrings with flat discs at the back instead of traditional earring clasps. Both the flat disc and the bead in front unscrew from the post. When changing or removing the jewelry, you leave the flat disc attached and unscrew the bead.

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Step 1

Clean your hands and your piercing by washing them with antibacterial liquid soap. If your new jewelry is not in an autoclave bag, wash it as well, or soak it in benzylkonium chloride (BZK) solution for at least 15 minutes. Use fresh paper towels to dry your hands, piercing and jewelry. Put on fresh latex or nitrile gloves to help you get a better grip on your jewelry.

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Step 2

Brush your teeth and rinse your mouth with antiseptic mouthwash for 30 seconds.

Step 3

Reach inside your mouth with your thumb and forefinger. Grasp the flat back of the jewelry and push it toward your lip so that the post sticks out in front.

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Step 4

Twist the bead to the left with the thumb and forefinger of your other hand until it comes unscrewed.

Step 5

Pull the flat disc toward the inside of your mouth to remove it from the piercing.

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Step 6

Screw the flat back into the post of your new jewelry, if it is not already attached. You can screw the back into either end of an internally threaded post.

Step 7

Pull downward on your lip to stretch the piercing hole slightly. Reach inside your mouth and insert the new post through the back hole of the piercing.

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Step 8

Screw the new bead into the front of the post by twisting it to the right. Tighten the jewelry by twisting the back to the left while holding onto the bead.

Tip

BZK solution is sold in pharmacies as anesthetic wound spray. It will list benzylkonium chloride as the active ingredient.

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