Lip piercings are no new trend. In the U.S., a captive bead ring hoop decorating the bottom lip has been a staple in alternative cultures for decades. Historically, many tribal cultures around the world received lip piercings for cultural and religious reasons.
Today, lip piercings have found new strides in fashion. There are around 17 lip piercing types, and many of these can be customized. The lips provide such an amazing canvas to work from, leading to nearly endless lip piercing styles.
Before you go to your piercer to ask for a lip piercing, you should know the lip piercing types so that you can ask informed questions. Here is a list of lip piercing types, healing times, and the jewelry that each type prefers.
The Ashley piercing
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While most lip piercings pierce the skin surrounding the lips, the Ashley piercing pierces the lip itself. Its entry point sits at the center of your bottom lip with an exit point directly behind, inside your mouth.
Healing time
10 – 14 weeks
Preferred jewelry
Most with this piercing type wear flat disc labret studs. The flat disc backing sits flush with your lip and won’t rub against your teeth and gums as much as other backing types. You can choose different charms and gemstones for your labret studs or stick with a simple ball end.
The angel bite piercing
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This double piercing combines the Madonna and Monroe lip piercing styles. The angel bite piercing features symmetrical piercings above the upper lip closer to the sides of the mouth. Depending on your personal preference, you can choose to have the piercings done closer together or farther apart. Most commonly, each piercing is placed about halfway between the edge and the center of the lip.
Healing time
7 – 9 weeks
Preferred jewelry
The angel bite piercing almost always features two flat disc labret studs. You can go for the classic ball end look, or have fun with gemstones and charms.
The canine bite piercing
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The canine bite piercing features four piercings in one. A combination of the angel bite and snake bite styles, the canine bite piercing consists of two piercings placed symmetrically above the upper lip and two piercings placed symmetrically below the lower lip. The piercings are placed roughly where your canine teeth are located, hence the name.
Healing time
8 – 12 weeks
Preferred jewelry
With four different piercings to play with, you can have a lot of fun with the jewelry in the canine bite piercing. Flat disc labret studs and seamless hoops or captive bead rings are the most common jewelry types for this piercing. Either decorate all four piercings with labret studs, or offer some variety by choosing hoops for the lower piercings and studs for the upper piercings.
The cyber bites piercing
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A combination of the labret and Medusa piercings, the cyber bites piercing showcases one piercing centrally located above the upper lip and one piercing centrally located below the lower lip.
Healing time
6 – 12 weeks
Preferred jewelry
You’ll likely see flat disc back labret studs as the most common jewelry for the cyber bites piercing. Some choose to go for a labret stud in the top piercing with a seamless hoop or captive bead ring in the bottom piercing. For a similar aesthetic as a captive bead ring, you can also choose circular barbells, which are shaped like horseshoes with small beads at each end.
The Dahlia piercing
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Dhalia piercing guariti. Forati un annetto abbondante fa @zacbodyart dal 1993 Via P. Maroncelli 6a 40126 Bologna Primo studio di piercing e body mod in italia, dal 2005 anche tatuaggi. In centro storico a Bologna. Vi offriamo una vasta selezione di gioielleria di alta qualità da piercing e gioielleria originale tribale in esposizione e vendita. #zacbodyart #piercingpioner #highqualityjewelry #implantgrade #modernprimitive #professionalpiercing #primitivomoderno #dahlia #dahliapiercing #bologna #bolognacentro #bodypiercing #ilpiercing #bodyart #tattoo #piercing #piercingofinstagram #Piercingjewelry #cyberpunk #punk #freetekno
Inspired by macabre roots, the Dahlia piercing is named after the infamous Black Dahlia, an actress who was found with a smile carved into her face. (If this name is too dark for you, the piercing is sometimes referred to as the Joker piercing.) It’s characterized by two piercing placed at the edges of your mouth.
Healing time
12 – 20 weeks
Preferred jewelry
The Dahlia piercing looks best with flat disc labret studs. Most choose small beads or gemstones as their decoration.
The dolphin bite piercing
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After losing my vertical labret piercing, my face felt so..incomplete. So I got myself a cute pair of dolphin bites. ? Pierced by @_sabbracadabra_ @art.rock_tattoo.piercing ❤ . . . #piercings #piercedgirl #girlswithpiercings #facialpiercings #dermalanchor #thirdeyepiercing #septum #septumpiercing #labret #dolphinbites #dolphinbitespiercing #smokeyeyes #smokeyshadow #goth #gothmakeup #grunge #grungemakeup #grungelook #grungegirl #alternativegirl #alternativelook #alternativestyle #instagood #plaidshirt #buzzedgirl #buzzcut #buzz
Meant to emulate the narrow muzzle of a dolphin, the dolphin bite piercing consists of two piercings placed closely together and centrally located beneath the lower lip.
Healing time
7 – 9 weeks
Preferred jewelry
Since this piercing is located in the center of the lip, many prefer small labret studs with a flat disc backing. Most often, people with this piercing opt for a simple beaded end, but you can find small gemstones or charms as well. Two seamless hoops that sit flush against the lip is becoming a popular trend, as well.
The Jestrum piercing
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Healed jestrum piercing! Downsized the bar after healing and it looks awesome! This is a perfect example of why waiting to downsize or change jewellery is the best way to go. Swipe to see the before pic. I know a long bar isn’t fun but it’s best for a perfectly healed piercing! Especially on the lip due to the swelling ? #jestrumpiercing #piercing #piercings #jestrumpiercings #lippiercing #piercingsworks #pierced #professionalpiercing #piercingstudio #piercingjewelry #lips #lip #facial #facialpiercings #jewellery #jewellerychange
Although the Jestrum piercing (also called the vertical Medusa) consists of only one puncture, it offers a double pierced look. It features an entrance point centrally located above the upper lip (where the Medusa piercing takes place) and an exit point toward the bottom of the lip itself.
Healing time
3 – 6 weeks
Preferred jewelry
Since the jewelry needs to connect the entrance and exit holes, you’ll have to stick with curved barbells (body jewelry pieces with a slightly curved barbell and beads at either end). Don’t let the jewelry limitations stop you; there are tons of curved barbell styles to choose from.
The labret piercing
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Centrally located beneath the lower lip, the labret piercing is one of the more popular lip piercing styles, and it can also be decorated with tons of jewelry varieties.
Healing time
6 – 8 weeks
Preferred jewelry
The labret piercing can be decorated with a wide variety of jewelry types. A flat disc back labret stud will offer a simple ball or charm end for a subtler look. For bolder options, you can opt for captive bead rings or seamless hoops. Circular barbells offer a similar look to the hoop style, but the two beads at the end help the labret piercing to pop.
The lowbret piercing
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The only difference between the labret piercing and the lowbret piercing is that the lowbret piercing is located as far down as your anatomy allows. It often sits in the curve between your lips and your chin. Often, those who wish to stretch their labret piercing after healing opt for the lowbret piercing option.
Healing time
6 – 8 weeks
Preferred jewelry
Since the lowbret sits so low, you’ll be pretty much limited to a flat disc labret stud. If you choose to stretch your lowbret piercing, once it reaches a big enough gauge, you can find lip plugs.
The Madonna piercing
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Inspired by Madonna’s beauty mark, the Madonna piercing is located above the upper lip to the right. Exact location depends upon your personal preference.
Healing time
8 – 12 weeks
Preferred jewelry
Since this piercing type is inspired by a beauty mark, a flat disc labret stud with a simple bead is the most common jewelry type for the Madonna piercing. You can also choose flashy gemstones or cute charms for a more individual look.
The Medusa piercing
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Located above the lip, directly centered, the Medusa piercing sits where your lip shape turns downward (the philtrum), accentuating the shape of your mouth. This piercing looks stunning for those with unique lip shapes or those who want to draw attention to their lips.
Healing time
3 – 6 weeks
Preferred jewelry
The Medusa piercing prefers flat disc back labret studs. Have some fun with unique charms and gemstones.
The Monroe piercing
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Meant to emulate the late, great Marilyn Monroe’s beauty mark, the Monroe piercing is located above the upper lip, to the left.
Healing time
8 – 12 weeks
Preferred jewelry
You should wear a flat disc back stud in your Monroe piercing.
The shark bite piercing
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The shark bite piercing is really a combination of two spider bite piercings. This quadruple piercing consists of two piercings located closely together beneath the lower lip on both sides.
It’s meant to resemble the stacked teeth of a shark.
Healing time
8 – 12 weeks
Preferred jewelry
With so many piercings, the shark bite piercing allows for creativity. Labret studs, seamless hoops, captive bead rings, and circular barbells are all popular jewelry choices. Many like to mix and match their jewelry options as well.
The side labret piercing
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Y hoy un #sidelabretpiercing con #titanio los espero acá en #elguatotattooshop #normalpiercing
When you think of a lip piercing, this is probably the piercing you picture. It’s one piercing located beneath the bottom lip to either the right or left of center, depending on your preference.
Healing time
6 – 8 weeks
Preferred jewelry
For a subtler look, go for labret studs or slim seamless hoops. For bolder styles, you can choose captive bead rings or circular barbells.
The snake bite piercing
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If you can’t choose on which side you’d like to have your side labret, then choose the snake bite piercing; it consists of two side labret piercings on both sides of the mouth.
Healing time
6 – 8 weeks
Preferred jewelry
Like the side labret piercing, you can choose labret studs, captive bead rings, seamless hoops, or circular barbells for this piercing. Many opt for the seamless hoop style because it emulates the look of snake fangs.
The spider bite piercing
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Something a little bit out of the ordinary today #spiderbites done on this brave client in his lunch break. You can get a double lip piercing for £45 #spiderbites #spiderbitepiercing #lippiercing #lippiercings #doublelippiercing #doublepiercing #facialpiercings
Similar to the snake bite piercing, the spider bite piercing features piercings on either side of the skin beneath the lower lip. Unlike the snake bite piercing, the spider bite piercing features four piercings, with double side labret piercings on either side.
Healing time
4 – 12 weeks
Preferred jewelry
The spider bite piercing provides perhaps the most variety when it comes to body jewelry. You can choose labret studs, seamless hoops, captive bead rings, and circular barbells. You don’t have to stick to just one style; many choose to pair seamless hoops and labret studs or any other variety of jewelry styles in their spider bite piercing.
The vertical labret piercing
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Like the Ashley piercing, the vertical labret piercing is one of the few lip piercings that actually pierce the lip itself. As the name implies, it consists of a single piercing placed vertically in the labret piercing region. The entrance hole is placed in the center of the lower lip with an exit hole in the skin beneath the lip, creating a double pierced look.
Healing time
8 – 12 weeks
Preferred jewelry
The vertical labret piercing exclusively uses curved barbells. The beads on either end will sit flush with your skin, creating a double-pierced look. Many choose curved barbells with a bead at the top end and a charm at the bottom end, which helps to encourage double-pierced aesthetic.
Can I shorten my lip piercing healing times?
While most lip piercings take around 6 – 8 weeks to heal, some piercing types, like the vertical labret piercing, can see substantial healing times, and others, like the spider bite piercing, see a large variety of healing times (anywhere between 4 – 12 weeks).
When it comes to healing, it’s easy to become impatient. You’ll want to experience the shortest healing time possible, and we don’t blame you.
Healing times depend on many aspects, some of which are outside of your control. Your anatomy, genetics, and daily activities can all contribute to the amount of time it takes your piercing to heal. Therefore, if you want to have a chance at shortening your healing time, you need to make sure that you take proper care of your healing lip piercing.
Make sure that you clean your new piercing 2 – 3 times daily with saline solution, like NeilMed NeilCleanse Piercing Aftercare. Saline solution only uses ingredients found naturally in your body, so it works with your body’s natural healing process in order to clean the area and promote healing.
Many factors affect healing, and even if you do everything right, your new piercing might still take the full 12 weeks to heal. However, if you keep your piercing clean and adhere to proper aftercare practices with quality aftercare products, you have a good chance of shortening your healing times.
Lip piercings are one of the hottest trends in the piercing world. Don’t limit yourself to side labret styles. With so many piercing types, you’re bound to find the right look for you.
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