A Complete Guide to the Different Types of Lip Piercings (Plus, Aftercare Tips)

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Find your next lip piercing with this expert-backed guide
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Interested in getting a lip piercing but not sure what to get? Whether this is your first lip piercing or you’re just not sure what your next one should be, we’re here to help! We’ve compiled a list of every type of lip piercing, including where they’re located, how much they cost, and how much they hurt. We also spoke with professional piercers to learn more about the lip piercing process and how to take care of your new body art. Read on to find out more!

Different Lip Piercing Styles: An Overview

Illustration of different lip piercing styles, including labret, side labret, low labret, Medusa, vertical labret, jestrum, angel fangs, spider bites, cheek dimples, Ashley, angel bites, cyber bites, dolphin bites, Madonna, Dalhia, shark bites, canine bites, and horizontal labret.
Section 1 of 4:

Lip Piercing Types & Locations

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  1. Step 1 Labret
    The labret piercing is typically centered just below your bottom lip, though some people like the piercing to be slightly off-center. The other end of the piercing is hidden inside your mouth, so you only see the jewelry below your lip.[1]
    • Cost: $30-50 (not including jewelry)
    • Healing time: 2-3 months
    • Pain level: 3/10
    • Type of jewelry: Labret studs and hoops (clickers, captive bead rings, circular barbells)
    • Good candidate: Most people, but can be anatomy-dependant. For instance, the placement of your piercing can be affected by the positioning of your teeth or the quality of your gums.
  2. Step 2 Side labret
    The side labret is similar to the regular labret, except it’s placed on either the right or left side of your bottom lip, not the center. The exact placement just depends on the look you like—the piercing can be closer to the corner of your lip or more near the middle.[2]
    • Cost: $30-50 (not including jewelry)
    • Healing time: 2-3 months
    • Pain level: 3/10
    • Type of jewelry: Labret studs and hoops
    • Good candidate: Most people, but can be anatomy-dependant. For instance, the piercing placement of your may be affected by the positioning of your teeth or the quality of your gums.
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  3. Step 3 Lowbret
    The lowbret piercing is similar to the labret piercing—it’s just located further down from your bottom lip. They’re often placed as far down inside your mouth as possible, typically below your gums. So, they often appear closer to your chin than your bottom lip.[3]
    • Cost: $30-50 (not including jewelry)
    • Healing time: 2-3 months
    • Pain level: 4/10
    • Type of jewelry: Labret studs
    • Good candidate: Most people, but can be anatomy-dependant. For instance, the placement of your piercing could be affected by the quality of your gums or the positioning of your teeth.
  4. Step 4 Medusa
    The Medusa is a single piercing that’s centered above your top lip and placed inside your philtrum (the groove that runs from the top of your lip to the base of your nose). Like the labret piercing, only the outside of the jewelry is visible—the other end of the piercing is inside your mouth.[4]
    • Cost: $30-50 (not including jewelry)
    • Healing time: 2-3 months
    • Pain level: 4/10
    • Type of jewelry: Flat back studs (or labret studs)
    • Good candidate: You have a small and thin frenum (web-like tissue that connects the lip to gums)
  5. Step 5 Monroe
    The Monroe piercing sits above your upper lip on the left side. This piercing is named after Marilyn Monroe and is meant to mimic her iconic beauty mark. It’s a single piercing, so you only see the outside of the jewelry.[5]
    • Cost: $30-50 (not including jewelry)
    • Healing time: 2-3 months
    • Pain level: 3/10
    • Type of jewelry: Flat back studs
    • Good candidate: Most people, but can be anatomy-dependant. For instance, the placement of your piercing may be affected by the positioning of your teeth or the quality of your gums.
  6. Step 6 Madonna
    The Madonna piercing is just like the Monroe piercing, except it’s placed above your upper lip on the right side. It’s named after Madonna and takes after her unique beauty mark.
    • Cost: $30-50 (not including jewelry)
    • Healing time: 2-3 months
    • Pain level: 3/10
    • Type of jewelry: Flat back studs
    • Good candidate: Most people, but can be anatomy-dependant. For instance, the piercing placement could be affected by the positioning of your teeth or the quality of your gums.
  7. Step 7 Ashley
    The Ashley piercing (sometimes called the inverse labret) is placed in the center of your bottom lip. Like the labret piercings, the exit of the piercing is inside your mouth, so you only see the outside of the jewelry.[6]
    • Cost: $40-80 (not including jewelry)
    • Healing time: 4-6 months
    • Pain level: 5/10
    • Type of jewelry: Flat back studs
    • Good candidate: You have a round and full bottom lip
  8. Step 8 Vertical labret
    With the vertical labret, the piercing enters the center of your bottom lip and exits just below your bottom lip. So, both ends of the piercing are visible. In other words, it’s like a combination of the labret and Ashley piercings.[7]
    • Cost: $40-100 (not including jewelry)
    • Healing time: 4-6 months
    • Pain level: 5/10
    • Type of jewelry: Curved barbells
    • Good candidate: You have a round and full bottom lip
  9. Step 9 Jestrum
    The jestrum piercing (also known as the vertical philtrum) is just like the vertical labret, except it’s on your upper lip. The piercing enters the center of your upper lip and exits just above your Cupid’s bow inside your philtrum (like the Medusa piercing).[8]
    • Cost: $40-100 (not including jewelry)
    • Healing time: 4-6 months
    • Pain level: 6/10
    • Type of jewelry: Curved barbells
    • Good candidate: You have a full upper lip
  10. Step 10 Horizontal labret
    The horizontal labret piercing goes through the middle of your bottom lip, with both ends of the piercing visible. It’s like having 2 Ashley piercings placed side by side.[9]
    • Cost: $40-100 (not including jewelry)
    • Healing time: 4-6 months, though these piercings often don’t heal all the way
    • Pain level: 6/10
    • Type of jewelry: Curved barbells
    • Good candidate: You have a full bottom lip
  11. Step 11 Spider bites
    Spider bites are 2 separate labret piercings placed right next to each other and below your bottom lip. They’re positioned under the right or left side of your bottom lip.[10]
    • Cost: $60-100 (not including jewelry)
    • Healing time: 2-3 months
    • Pain level: 4/10
    • Type of jewelry: Labret studs and hoops (clickers, captive beads, circular barbells)
    • Good candidate: You have a wider bottom lip
  12. Step 12 Dolphin bites
    Dolphin bites are similar to spider bites, except the 2 labret piercings are centered below your bottom lip. The piercings can be placed right next to each other or spaced farther apart.[11]
    • Cost: $60-100 (not including jewelry)
    • Healing time: 2-3 months
    • Pain level: 4/10
    • Type of jewelry: Labret studs and hoops
    • Good candidate: You have a wider bottom lip
  13. Step 13 Snake bites
    Snake bites are 2 labret piercings placed below your bottom lip on the right and left sides. They’re meant to mimic the look of a snake’s fangs.[12]
    • Cost: $60-100 (not including jewelry)
    • Healing time: 2-3 months
    • Pain level: 4/10
    • Type of jewelry: Labret studs and hoops
    • Good candidate: You have a wider bottom lip
  14. Step 14 Angel bites
    Similar to snake bites, angel bites are 2 labret piercings located above your upper lip on the right and left sides. In other words, you have both the Monroe and Madonna piercings.[13]
    • Cost: $60-100 (not including jewelry)
    • Healing time: 2-3 months
    • Pain level: 4/10
    • Type of jewelry: Labret studs
    • Good candidate: Most people, but can be anatomy-dependant. For instance, the placement of your piercing can be affected by the positioning of your teeth or the quality of your gums.
  15. Step 15 Cyber bites
    Cyber bites are a combination of the labret and Medusa piercings. One piercing is centered below your bottom lip while the other is centered above your Cupid’s bow, so they form a straight line.[14]
    • Cost: $60-100 (not including jewelry)
    • Healing time: 2-3 months
    • Pain level: 5/10
    • Type of jewelry: Flat back studs only for Medusa; studs or hoops for labret
    • Good candidate: You have a small and thin frenum
  16. Step 16 Angel fangs
    Angel fangs are 2 separate piercings that go through your upper lip on the right and left sides. The piercings enter just above your upper lip and exit through the middle of your top lip. The bottom pieces of the jewelry typically have spikes to give the appearance of fangs.[15]
    • Cost: $60-120 (not including jewelry)
    • Healing time: 4-6 months
    • Pain level: 7/10
    • Type of jewelry: Curved barbells
    • Good candidate: You have a round and full upper lip
  17. Step 17 Dahlia
    The Dahlia (or Joker) piercing is actually 2 separate piercings placed at the corners of your mouth. The piercings go through your mouth, so only the outside of the jewelry is visible.[16]
    • Cost: $60-120 (not including jewelry)
    • Healing time: 2-3 months
    • Pain level: 4/10
    • Type of jewelry: Flat back studs
    • Good candidate: Most people, but can be anatomy-dependant. For instance, the placement of your piercing can be affected by the quality of your gums or the positioning of your teeth.
  18. Step 18 Shark bites
    Shark bite piercings are essentially 2 sets of spider bite piercings. 2 side-by-side labret piercings are located below your bottom lip on the left and right sides.[17]
    • Cost: $120-200 (not including jewelry)
    • Healing time: 2-3 months
    • Pain level: 5/10
    • Type of jewelry: Labret studs and hoops
    • Good candidate: You have a wider bottom lip
  19. Step 19 Canine bites
    Canine bites are 4 separate piercings that are meant to line up with your upper and lower canine teeth. 2 piercings are located above your top lip on the right and left sides (similar to the Monroe and Madonna piercings) and 2 labret piercings are placed below your bottom lip on the right and left sides (similar to the snake bite piercings).[18]
    • Cost: $120-200 (not including jewelry)
    • Healing time: 2-3 months
    • Pain level: 5/10
    • Type of jewelry: Flat back studs only for upper piercings; studs or hoops for labret piercings
    • Good candidate: Most people, but can be anatomy-dependant. For instance, the placement of your piercing could be affected by the quality of your gums or the positioning of your teeth.
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Section 2 of 4:

How to Get a Lip Piercing

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  1. 1
    Find a reputable piercing studio. Professional piercer Stephanie Anders highly advises that you “find a high-quality studio” to go to. She says to “do your research” when selecting a studio: make sure it’s clean and that the piercers are certified, are knowledgeable about the piercing you want, and do client checkups.[19]
    • Make sure to read reviews about the studio to see if people are satisfied with their piercings and don’t experience issues, too.
  2. 2
    Consult with the piercer about the piercing you want. Most lip piercings are anatomy-dependent, meaning that they can only be safely done if you have the “right” features. For instance, you typically need fuller lips to get a vertical labret or jestrum piercing, as there needs to be enough tissue to pierce. If you don’t have the appropriate features for a particular piercing, the piercing can potentially damage your teeth and gums. When you go into the piercing studio, the piercer will meet with you to discuss the piercing you want and if it’s possible to safely give it to you.[20]
    • If you have the “right” anatomy, the piercer will work with you on placement and which jewelry to choose.
    • The piercer will also walk you through the piercing process. In most cases, they will clean the area and then pierce the spot with a hollow needle. Then, they’ll insert the jewelry.[21]
  3. 3
    Rest, eat, and hydrate before your piercing appointment. Treat your body well before you get a lip piercing. Piercing specialist Karissa Sanford advises getting a good night’s sleep, saying “your body is doing the work when it comes to the piercing.” If you treat it poorly, “there's a chance that your healing could be compromised.”[22] Professional piercer Sasha Blue agrees and recommends that you “eat before and drink plenty of water so you’re properly hydrated.”[23]
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Section 3 of 4:

Lip Piercing Aftercare

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  1. 1
    Follow your piercer’s directions. Your piercer will give you specific instructions on how to clean and care for your lip piercing. They’ll also explain what to expect as your piercing heals and how you can contact them if you have any questions or issues.
    • If you forgot your piercer’s instructions, we’ll provide you with some general aftercare guidelines below. However, it’s best to call or visit the piercing studio to get a refresher on what they specifically advise you to do.
    • Follow the piercer’s instructions for the entire healing period. Even if your piercing looks and feels healed before the period is over, it’s possible the inside tissues are still recovering.[24]
  2. 2
    Rinse the outside of your piercing with saline solution twice a day. In the morning and evening, clean your piercing and remove any crusty buildup. Either use a spray solution, or wet a piece of gauze and gently dab around the piercing.[25]
    • Rinse your piercing thoroughly with warm water every day when you shower, too. Sanford says “not many of the piercings have their own special cleaning process”—for most, you can simply “rinse it in the shower.”[26]
    • Always wash your hands with soap and warm water before cleaning your piercing.
  3. 3
    Gargle with salt water or alcohol-free mouthwash after each meal. It’s important to keep the inside portion of your piercing clean so it heals properly, too. After you eat breakfast, lunch, dinner, or a snack, swish salt water or mouthwash inside your mouth for 30 to 60 seconds. This gets rid of food particles that can be irritating or cause infection.[27]
    • To make a saltwater rinse, mix 1 teaspoon (6 g) of sea salt in 8 ounces (236 ml) of warm water.[28]
  4. 4
    Avoid touching or moving your piercing. According to Sanford, “the most important part of taking care of any piercing…is that you don't touch it and that it's not being moved.” She says to make sure that you’re “not picking at it” and that “that your fingers are staying away from it.”[29]
    • Piercing specialist Roger Rodríguez agrees, saying “you should not twist, turn, rotate, move back and forth, or bend the area around that piercing. Piercings are designed to break the skin and stay still. They're not supposed to move or rotate or slide back and forth.”[30]
    • Touching your piercing can slow down its healing time and potentially lead to infection. Rodríguez explains that a “piercing is [like] a cut. When you get a cut, you get a scab. And when you get a scab, then it's going to eventually heal. So if that [piercing] is being twisted, turned, or moved, or picked at, you're picking off a scar.”[31]
  5. 5
    Keep up your good oral hygiene. To help keep your mouth clean and free of debris, ensure you’re gently brushing and flossing your teeth twice per day. If your piercing is very sensitive, use a soft-bristled toothbrush.[32]
  6. 6
    Reduce swelling with ice or cold water. If you’re experiencing some swelling—which Blue assures you is normal—she suggests “drinking cold water” or “eating ice chips” to “help bring down the swelling.” If that doesn’t help, Blue says you can “take an over-the-counter, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory such as ibuprofen or naproxen sodium (according to package instructions).”[33]
    • You typically experience slight swelling during the first few weeks of getting your piercing.[34]
  7. 7
    Avoid hot, spicy, and salty foods for the first 2 weeks. Stay away from any foods or drinks that can irritate your mouth and piercing. For instance, avoid temperature-hot, spicy, acidic, and salty foods. Instead, aim to eat soft and milder foods.[35]
    • Chew slowly and carefully as you get used to your new piercing, too.
    • Avoid drinking alcohol, smoking, and vaping, too. These substances can irritate your mouth and slow down healing.
  8. 8
    Minimize kissing and sexual oral contact. Kissing and oral sex can potentially introduce bacteria to your piercing as it heals, increasing the chances of infection. Additionally, they can move and irritate your piercing, which can extend your healing time, too.[36]
  9. 9
    Avoid swimming. Pools, hot tubs, lakes, and oceans harbor bacteria that can potentially infect your new lip piercing. Refrain from submerging your piercing in these bodies of water until your piercing is fully healed.[37]
  10. 10
    Get your piercing changed out for the first time by your piercer. Piercers intentionally use long jewelry posts when they pierce your lip to account for swelling. Once the swelling goes down, visit the piercing studio and get your jewelry switched to a smaller piece.[38]
    • The shorter jewelry helps prevent your teeth and gums from being damaged, so make sure you get the longer piercing replaced.
  11. 11
    Visit your piercer or doctor if you notice signs of infection. Signs that your lip piercing is infected include redness, burning, tenderness, pain, yellow or green pus, and swelling that won’t go away. If you believe your piercing is infected, go to the piercing studio or your healthcare provider immediately.[39]
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Section 4 of 4:

Frequently Asked Questions

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  1. 1
    What is the least painful lip piercing? Most people agree that the labret piercing is the least painful lip piercing, and it tends to be the most common one, too. However, piercing pain is very subjective and varies from person to person. In general, lip piercings are quick so the pain doesn’t typically last that long.
    • On the flip side, people tend to consider upper lip piercings and piercings that go directly through the lip the most painful. For instance, the Medusa, vertical labret, jestrum, and horizontal labret are some of the more painful lip piercings.
  2. 2
    What is the rarest lip piercing? The horizontal labret and angel fangs piercings are some of the rarest lip piercings. These are bold, beautiful piercings that definitely give you a unique look.
    • Horizontal labret piercings might be so rare because they’re usually only temporary. These piercings are hard to heal and tend to migrate, so most people don’t leave them in.
  3. 3
    How much do lip piercings cost? In general, a lip piercing costs between $30 to $80. However, the price largely depends on the type of piercing you’re getting, the studio you’re at, and where you’re located. This also doesn’t account for the price of the jewelry the studio uses, which is typically between $30 to $60.
    • For instance, a labret piercing in the lower price range might cost you $60 total (piercing + jewelry).
    • Most people recommend tipping your piercer 20%. So, for the labret piercing, you’re now looking at a total of $72.
  4. 4
    What’s the best jewelry material for lip piercings? Most piercing studios use implant-grade titanium for initial piercings, as it’s less likely to cause allergic reactions or irritation. Niobium, 14k+ gold, and platinum are also good, safe options for piercings.[40]
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References

  1. ↑ https://www.lynnloheide.com/post/labret-piercing-101
  2. ↑ https://www.lynnloheide.com/post/labret-piercing-101
  3. ↑ https://youtu.be/gLyGWa6v1Po?feature=shared&t=20
  4. ↑ https://youtu.be/M1R1qavTRaU?feature=shared&t=35
  5. ↑ https://www.lynnloheide.com/post/monroe-piercings-101
  6. ↑ https://youtu.be/8O9FnOk89QY?feature=shared&t=78
  7. ↑ https://youtu.be/r3a3vhnrCEQ?feature=shared&t=16
  8. ↑ https://www.lynnloheide.com/post/vertical-philtrum-101
  9. ↑ https://youtu.be/b2so80FPZCA?feature=shared&t=31
  1. ↑ https://youtu.be/hmKk6hoccGw?feature=shared&t=32
  2. ↑ https://youtu.be/72gIMfBssg0?feature=shared&t=128
  3. ↑ https://youtu.be/2J5_oGnyimk?feature=shared&t=29
  4. ↑ https://youtu.be/gaIWuvdxVak?feature=shared&t=34
  5. ↑ https://youtu.be/72gIMfBssg0?feature=shared&t=114
  6. ↑ https://youtu.be/x00BWjNtCCQ?feature=shared&t=24
  7. ↑ https://youtu.be/ZQB-_WZgQWE?feature=shared&t=14
  8. ↑ https://youtu.be/MAF_dh7nxXE?feature=shared&t=17
  9. ↑ https://youtu.be/4CNOIudH9c0?feature=shared&t=12
  10. ↑ Stephanie Anders. Piercing Specialist. Expert Interview
  11. ↑ https://safepiercing.org/oral-piercing-risks-safety-measures/
  12. ↑ https://familydoctor.org/body-piercing/
  13. ↑ Karissa Sanford. Body Piercing Specialist. Expert Interview
  14. ↑ Sasha Blue. Professional Body Piercer. Expert Interview
  15. ↑ https://safepiercing.org/oral-aftercare/
  16. ↑ https://safepiercing.org/oral-aftercare/
  17. ↑ Karissa Sanford. Body Piercing Specialist. Expert Interview
  18. ↑ https://www.cieh.org/media/1975/tattoo-toolkit_part-c_03-oral-piercing-aftercare.pdf
  19. ↑ https://uhs.berkeley.edu/sites/default/files/piercingcare.pdf
  20. ↑ Karissa Sanford. Body Piercing Specialist. Expert Interview
  21. ↑ Roger Rodriguez. Piercing Specialist. Expert Interview
  22. ↑ Roger Rodriguez. Piercing Specialist. Expert Interview
  23. ↑ https://safepiercing.org/oral-aftercare/
  24. ↑ Sasha Blue. Professional Body Piercer. Expert Interview
  25. ↑ https://safepiercing.org/oral-aftercare/
  26. ↑ https://safepiercing.org/oral-aftercare/
  27. ↑ https://safepiercing.org/oral-aftercare/
  28. ↑ https://safepiercing.org/oral-aftercare/
  29. ↑ https://safepiercing.org/oral-aftercare/
  30. ↑ https://www.cieh.org/media/1975/tattoo-toolkit_part-c_03-oral-piercing-aftercare.pdf
  31. ↑ https://safepiercing.org/jewelry-for-initial-piercings/

About This Article

David Wilkins
Co-authored by:
David Wilkins
Professional Body Piercer
This article was co-authored by David Wilkins and by wikiHow staff writer, Devin McSween. David Wilkins is a Professional Body Piercer and the Owner of The Axiom Body Piercing Studio in Des Moines, Iowa. David has been working in the industry since 1994 and is knowledgeable about all aspects of the body piercing industry. He runs an educational YouTube channel specializing in sharing expert body piercings and tattoo information. He completed his apprenticeship in body piercing in Omaha, Nebraska. This article has been viewed 1,618 times.
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