Many variations of lip piercings exist, but few are known for being vertical variations. The ashley piercing is notorious for being a show-stopper!
Below you’ll find all you need to know about ashley piercings, including price, procedure, pain level and healing time. A large photo gallery and recommended aftercare products will help make your ashley piercing all your own.
What is an Ashley Piercing?
An ashley piercing is a puncture through the front center of the lower lip. The ashley is a type of vertical (inverse) labret piercing, and it has one exit hole on the outer lip and another inside the mouth.
Should You Get an Ashley Piercing?
As with any unusual piercing, the ashley piercing has both risks and rewards. Review the following pros & cons to see if this piercing is for you:
Pros
- Inverse labret piercings are a unique way of highlighting the lip area and drawing attention to the mouth. Bright lipstick can enhance this effect for a one-of-a-kind look!
- This piercing helps to center the face and can be combined with other facial piercings like septum or medusa piercings. Double ashley piercings are optional if you’re feeling bold.
Cons
- Ashley piercings are quite painful because they perforate a large amount of lip tissue. Take your personal pain threshold into account when deciding if this piercing is right for you.
- Keep in mind that this piercing requires exact placement. A botched procedure can mean an uneven piercing or impaired muscle movement. As always, finding an experienced piercer will help your procedure go as smoothly as possible.
Ashley Piercing Procedure
The first step to any piercing is finding a reputable piercer. Once you arrive at the shop, your piercer will go over the procedure with you and have you fill out some paperwork. They will then set up their area for a sanitary procedure and clean your lip. Stay still while your piercer marks the location with a surgical pen. This is an important step both for safety and aesthetics, so pay attention to your piercer’s instructions and make sure you like the location before moving forward.
Your lip will then be fixed in place with a clamp and quickly perforated with a hollow needle. Your chosen jewelry will be inserted afterwards. As a last step, your piercer will discuss proper aftercare with you to avoid any complications.
Check out the video below for a real-time piercing experience
How Much do Ashley Piercings Hurt?
4 out of 10
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Ashley piercings are considered to be one of the most painful lip piercings. However, they are still tame compared to nipple or cartilage piercings. Ashley piercings rank at a 4/10 on the pain scale since the lip area is quite sensitive. Your lip will most likely be swollen and sore for the first few days after your piercing procedure.
Pain relief medications like ibuprofen can be used to soothe any discomfort during early healing. Take deep breaths and stay calm in the moment to take your mind off the pain of the procedure itself.
Read more about the top 10 most painful piercings.
Healing and Aftercare
Initial ashley healing time takes around 3 to 4 months with proper aftercare. Full healing time takes around 6 months.
Vertical labret piercings usually take more time to heal since they perforate more skin. It’s crucial to keep up with proper aftercare to reduce healing time. The following guidelines will get you started on taking care of your new ashley piercing:
- Maintain good oral hygiene and make sure to keep other non-sanitized objects (phones or makeup applicators) away from your piercing.
- Use caution when applying lip products to keep them away from your piercing.
- Avoid oral contact with others during this time period.
- Contact your piercer and/or doctor immediately if you experience soreness, bleeding or swelling.
- Make sure to clean your piercing twice per day according to the guidelines below.
How to Clean Your Ashley Piercing
Proper aftercare technique is essential to avoid issues and infections. It’s necessary to clean both the inside and outside of your mouth with an ashley piercing. Follow the steps below to ensure your piercing always stays clean:
- Always wash your hands thoroughly before touching or cleaning your piercing.
- To clean the outside of your mouth, buy or make your own saline solution. Dissolve 1/4 teaspoon of sea salt in 8 oz of warm water. Pour some saline solution on a clean pad or towel and hold it on your piercing for a few minutes. This helps to loosen any debris and soothe your piercing. Gently wipe off any debris and clean your jewelry off. Repeat this regimen once in the morning and once at night to ensure your piercing regularly stays clean.
- To clean the inside, rinse your mouth twice per day with non-alcoholic mouthwash. Be sure to rinse with mouthwash after eating or drinking as well to avoid contamination.
Recommended Aftercare Products
Sea salt
This sea salt mixture is ideal for making your own saline solution at home.
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Piercing aftercare spray
Saline spray is a great on-the-go option. Throw it in your bag and clean your piercing anywhere!
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What to Avoid During Healing
- Avoid touching or twisting your piercing.
- To avoid irritation, do not use alcohol or peroxide to clean your piercing.
- Avoid swimming in public pools or bodies of water.
- Avoid using skincare or makeup products on your piercing until it is healed.
- Do not remove your initial jewelry until your piercing has healed. Contact your piercer if you have questions.
- Avoid oral contact with other people and objects.
Ashley Piercing Risks
Every piercing has risks to consider. Examine the following concerns before getting pierced:
- Jewelry rejection. Avoid plated jewelry and insist on surgical stainless steel or titanium jewelry initially. This will help decrease the likelihood of jewelry rejection.
- Piercing infections. Bacteria is everywhere, and the first step to avoiding it is keeping your piercing clean.
- Scar formation. Stretching your ashley piercing with larger jewelry can sometimes leave a scar after removal. This is less of an issue when small jewelry is used.
- Tooth or gum complications. Constant rubbing can cause gum or tooth erosion over time. Find a piercer that will identify the right spot for your ashley piercing.
Best Jewelry for Ashley Piercings
The most common jewelry for ashley piercings are labret studs. Many variations are available for purchase, and shiny ends can help enhance your look. Colorful rings are an option for a bold look, but make sure they work with your piercing first. Retainers are also an option for occasions when you need to hide your piercing.
How Much do Ashley Piercings Cost?
- In the US, ashley piercing cost ranges from $30 – $55.
- In the UK, ashley piercing cost ranges from £25 – £60.
- In Europe, ashley piercing cost ranges from €30 – €55.
The price of your piercing usually indicates the experience of your piercer and includes basic jewelry. Jewelry upgrades will most likely cost more.
Ashley Piercing Experiences
Ashley Piercing Image Gallery
Christina Andrusenko
It pisses me off when I can’t find proven information about piercing type I interested in. That is why Piercee was created.
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