Do you know that lip piercing is ranked as the third most popular piercing type in the world? It is not hard to see why this piercing technique is so well-known. Learn more about the different types and names of lip piercing.
What is a Lip Piercing?
Lip A piercing is an act of body modification that involves puncturing the lips or the frenulum. The designated jewelry decorates the opening. There are many options for lip piercings. You can choose the one that suits you best.
Lip Piercing Names
Here you are proposed to check the diagram with the list of different lip piercing types.
Below is a chart which describes each type of lip piercing and provides general information about price, healing time, and pain.
Name What is it? Pain Healing Cost Snake Bites Double puncture to the lower lip. It is situated at the same distance as the center, and it looks like a snake bite. 5/10-6-8 Weeks $50-$80 Angel Biscuits Double symmetrical puncture. It is located just above your upper lip on both sides. 6/10-7-9 weeks $50-$80 cyber bites Double piercing. This is located in the groove between the upper and lower lips. 5/10-6-12 weeks $50-$80 spider bites Double puncture below the bottom lip. These openings are close together and at the corner of your mouth. 4/10 4-12 Weeks $40-$80 Vampire Bites Two piercings of the bottom lips. Similar to snake bites. 5/10 6–8 weeks $50-$80 Canine Bite Multiple punctures at the four corners of your mouth. It can be found on the lower and upper lips. 6/10-8-12 weeks $30-$60 Dolphin Bite Two openings below the lower lip. 5/10 7-9 week $50-$80 Shark Bites 7/10-8-12 weeks $80-$90 Marilyn Monroe One facial puncture is located above the upper lips on the left-hand. 3/10 8-12 Weeks $30-$50 Madonna 1 facial puncture, located on the right-hand-hand side of the upper lip. 3/10 8-12 Weeks $30-$50 Medusa/Philtrum One piercing, located just above the upper lip under the philtrum. 4/10 3-6 Weeks $40-$85 Labret One puncture, located below the bottom lip. 5/10 6-8 Weeks $40-$65 Vertical Labret Lower lip puncture. It is located at the center of the lip, and below it. 6/10 8-12 Weeks $40-$70 Lowbret Modification for the labret. This is located at the very bottom end of the chin. 5/10 6-8 Weeks $40-$70 Dahlia Double Pierce, located at the corners of your mouth. 7/10 12-20 Weeks $20-$80 Ashley Horizontal piercing, located at the center of your bottom lip. 6/10 10-14 Weeks $40-$70 Single puncture. Located in the frenulum on the upper lips. 5/10 4–8 weeks $40-$80 jestrum Single puncture, located at the upper lip. 5/10 3-6 weeks $40-$85
Read more about the most and least painful piercings.
Upper Lip Piercings
There are many upper lip piercing names, and we are going to discover them below.
Medusa / Philtrum
The piercing is done just below the nose septum, which is called “philtrum”. Medusa can be found under the upper lips in a groove. It is therefore well-emphasized.
Medusa piercing is the most popular lip piercing type and it can be successfully combined with other facial piercing types.
This guide will tell you everything you need to know about medusa-piercing.
Smiley
This piercing type gets one of the cutest lip piercing names thanks to its functionality. Smiley is made visible when you smile, and show your beautiful teeth line. It’s the second most popular lip piercing.
It is inserted into skin and connects to the upper lips with a gum (frenulum). The circular captive bead is the most popular earring for smiley-piercing.
Learn more about smiley frenulum.
Angel Bites
Two-sided piercing above the upper lip represents the angel’s teeth track. Angel bites piercing can be described as a combination of Madonna’s and Monroe’s.
It is double piercing but it is not recommended to do them simultaneously. Because facial piercings are more dangerous, it is better to perform multiple holes at once.
Continue reading about angel bites.
Monroe
Single upper lip puncture resembles the famous Marilyn Monroe’s beauty mark. It is charming and beautiful and would be a great fit for girls. Usually, jewelry is worn on one side.
Learn more about Monroe piercing.
Madonna
However, you can make piercing like Monroe on the right. In this case, the piercing would be called “Madonna”.
Find out more about Madonna lip-piercing.
Jestrum
Jestrum is a variation of medusa piercing. In this instance, however, the barbell is curved and passes through the upper lip. The jewelry’s two ends are visible, one at the bottom of the nose and the other in the middle.
See more about jestrum piercing.
Bottom Lip Piercings
Among bottom lip piercings, there are some really extraordinary.
Labret
Labret is one of the most popular lip piercings. It is located below the bottom lip, not inside, as some may think. The effect of “going through the lip” happens because of the jewelry shape. Labret can also be done with different combinations, including the combination of spider or snake bites.
Find out more about labret.
Vertical labret
A modification of labret piercing with two openings, instead of one. Vertical labret runs through the bottom of the lips and jewelry can be seen from both the top and bottom. This piercing type is usually done with a curved barbell to better fit inside the lips.
Snake Bites
This piercing type resembles a snake fang or bite. The openings are at the same distance from your bottom lip. The cheek, tongue and eyebrow piercings have the same name. Rings or studs are the best jewelry for snake bites.
This guide will help you understand how to pierce snake bites.
Shark Bites Piercing
It’s a quadruple puncture of bottom lip. Two in the left corner and two in the right. Tiny studs are the best jewelry.
Read more about shark bites piercing.
Ashley
Ashley or horizontal labret is placed in the middle of the bottom lip. It shows the outside barbell ball and goes inside your lip. The single or near-to-each double Ashley piercing is possible.
This guide will explain the pros and cons of Ashley piercing.
Lowbret
Lowbret is a single or double perforation of the skin, located down the chin. Although it isn’t a popular piercing, it is a great choice for those who love body modification. Lowbret works well with Monroe or Medusa facials.
Dolphin bites
This type of piercing represents two punctures, located under the bottom lip. You can imagine it looking like dolphin bite tracks. Like snake bites piercing, the jewelry is centered. Depending on your personal preferences, the distance between openings can vary.
Read more about dolphin bites piercing.
Horizontal
Two lower lip surface punctures that usually connected by straight or curved barbells.
Here is the complete guide for horizontal lip piercing.
Spider Bites
Double puncture is usually made on the bottom lip, on the one side of the mouth corner. But you can try it on both the sides. This would result in four symmetrical openings.
This piercing method is easier than cyber bites. The openings are closer together, which makes the healing process much faster. Spider bites are a great choice for men, but it can also be used for girls with the right jewelry.
Bottom & Upper Lips Piercings
Here you can see some interesting bottom-upper piercing combinations
Vampire Bites
Two holes are made in the mouth corners on the bottom lip. The procedure for snake bites piercing is the same. The piercing method looks more like a vampire fangs. This is because the original vampire bites piercing was done on the side. The black rings jewelry will work best for vampire bites.
Cyber Bites
This piercing type represents a combination of labret piercings and Medusa. Because it is on both the upper and lower lips simultaneously, it is quite unusual and complex. For cyber bites, there are two central holes that are symmetrical. This piercing technique is very popular because you can experiment with different combinations of jewelry, including studs and hoops, or even a barbell and captive beaded ring.
Canine Bites
Four pieces of jewelry are worn on both sides of the lower and upper lips. Canine bites are a combination of angel and snake bites. This piercing should pay attention to the exact location and style of the jewelry. They should be symmetrical. Avoid combining canine bites with other facial piercings. This will prevent your face from looking over-pierced.
Dahlia
It is not one of the classical lip piercings. The Dahlia (or double corner) is placed either near, outside, or at both the mouth corners. The cheeks must be perforated. It is a bit creepy, and reminds me of the Joker from Batman.
Learn more about dahlia-piercing.
Most Common Part of the Lip to Get Pierced
The most common upper and under lips piercings are:
- Monroe,
- Medusa,
- Labret,
- Smiley.
They are cute, easy and painless.
What is the Rarest
The most painful and crazy piercing ideas are dahlia and canine bites.
These are very unusual and therefore rare. Experienced piercing-lovers will not hesitate to explore new methods of body modification.
Things to Know Before Procedure
It is important to remember that most lip piercings are external and internal at once. Oral jewelry can be dangerous for your mouth, gums, teeth, and gums. Multiple infections can easily occur if you don’t take the necessary precautions.
If you smoke, lip piercing may not be a good idea. You would have to treat any side effects from smoking, as it could infect the wound. You can see that there are pros and con to any piercing technique. It is up to you to decide what you want.
Procedure
The lip piercing differs from other piercing types by its location and the necessity to take additional care of the mouth area. Reduce salivation is the first step. You should apply medical tampons to the salivary glands.
After piercing, the instrument and the area should be cleaned. In the event that the piercing is outside, the piercer will need to mark the location of the puncture with the surgical pen.
The special retainer is then applied to the lip and sharply perforated using a 14 gauge needle. Next, insert the jewelry. The procedure should be completed. You must then disinfect the wound.
To get more information on the lip piercing procedure, watch the videos:
Healing and Aftercare
If you take care of the piercing properly, the healing time would be 1 to 3 months. It is important to immediately contact a doctor if you notice any problems during the healing process. While the procedure is relatively painless, it’s possible for the opening to become red or swollen afterward.
To avoid this, you must follow some aftercare rules, given below:
- Try to avoid hard and solid food for a few days after the procedure
- In case the wound is swollen or painful, suck small ice cubes and take Ibuprofen
- For the first couple of hours, do not drink or eat
- Do not touch or play with the piercing, unless you clean it
- Do not remove the initial jewelry until the piercing is completely healed
Read more about how to clean a piercing.
Cleaning
Always remember to clean your piercing in time to stay away from dangerous implications.
- Keep oral hygiene: rinse the mouth with salt water every time after eating or drinking
- Gently wash the jewelry once a day with antibacterial soap
- Twice a day clean your piercing with a salt solution (8 ounces of boiling water + a quarter of a teaspoon of salt)
- Use a numbing cream for lip piercings to reduce pain
All aftercare tips are based on information at the Association of Professional Piercers website.
Recommended care solution
Read more about best piercing care products to choose.
Best Jewelry Types
The initial lip piercing jewelry should not be very complicated, try to choose a labret stud or ring for the first time. There is plenty of jewelry available for every type of piercing.
You can choose from a labret, hoop, or captive ring for piercing the lip. Pretty curved barbells are popular for lip piercing.
We recommend 14kt gold for metal.
How Much Does a Lip Piercing Cost
For different lip piercings, you may find different prices. For lip piercing on average:
- In the US, you would pay from $30 to $80.
- In the UK, the price would be £20 – £60.
- In Europe, cost €25 – €70.
Learn more about the cost of piercings.
