Lip Piercings
Posted on: July 20, 2011
Lip Piercings
Lip piercings can be done in a variety of ways and locations along the lip. When deciding on the location of your lip piercing it is important to know the different varieties available.
A Labret piercing is done through the lower lip. It can be in any location along the lip, but is imperative to know what type of jewelry will be used, as this can affect the direction of the piercing itself. If a ring is going to be worn in the piercing, the angle of the piercing is changed to be sure the jewelry doesn’t rub on the teeth. If a bar is going to be used, it is important that the bar is the proper length, otherwise the end that rests against the gums can wear away the tissue.
Two Labrets on each side are often called Snakebites. If three Labrets are done, it can be referred to as Spider Bites. A Vertical Labret is when the piercing is done vertically up through the lip. Either a ring or a curved barbell can be used to fit with the curve of the lip.
To pierce the lip, the piercer will use a clamp to pull the lip away from the mouth and gain better vision of the piercing location. The area is then pierced and the jewelry put through and secured.
Lip piercings generally heal within 2 to 3 months, but it is important to take proper care of the area. Eating, drinking, or smoking can aggravate the area, so after doing these things the area should be cleaned. This can be done with a saline solution. This can be made at home with sea salt and warm water, or you can buy a normal saline solution that is used for contact lenses. If buying saline solution, be sure that it doesn’t have any preservatives and that it is available in a sealable, sterile bottle.
The solution can then be used to soak the area. A small dish of the product should be enough to hold up to the piercing. If it is difficult to soak the piercing, cotton swabs or a clean paper towel can be used to soak the area. This should be done 1 to 2 times a day. If any dried substances form around the piercing area, these can be wiped clean with cotton swabs soaked with the salt water solution.
Lip piercings are usually done with 14 gauge or 16 gauge needles. For those that have issues with jewelry rubbing on gums, jewelry is available in acrylic or glass to reduce the friction.
A Labret piercing is done through the lower lip. It can be in any location along the lip, but is imperative to know what type of jewelry will be used, as this can affect the direction of the piercing itself. If a ring is going to be worn in the piercing, the angle of the piercing is changed to be sure the jewelry doesn’t rub on the teeth. If a bar is going to be used, it is important that the bar is the proper length, otherwise the end that rests against the gums can wear away the tissue.
Two Labrets on each side are often called Snakebites. If three Labrets are done, it can be referred to as Spider Bites. A Vertical Labret is when the piercing is done vertically up through the lip. Either a ring or a curved barbell can be used to fit with the curve of the lip.
To pierce the lip, the piercer will use a clamp to pull the lip away from the mouth and gain better vision of the piercing location. The area is then pierced and the jewelry put through and secured.
Lip piercings generally heal within 2 to 3 months, but it is important to take proper care of the area. Eating, drinking, or smoking can aggravate the area, so after doing these things the area should be cleaned. This can be done with a saline solution. This can be made at home with sea salt and warm water, or you can buy a normal saline solution that is used for contact lenses. If buying saline solution, be sure that it doesn’t have any preservatives and that it is available in a sealable, sterile bottle.
The solution can then be used to soak the area. A small dish of the product should be enough to hold up to the piercing. If it is difficult to soak the piercing, cotton swabs or a clean paper towel can be used to soak the area. This should be done 1 to 2 times a day. If any dried substances form around the piercing area, these can be wiped clean with cotton swabs soaked with the salt water solution.
Lip piercings are usually done with 14 gauge or 16 gauge needles. For those that have issues with jewelry rubbing on gums, jewelry is available in acrylic or glass to reduce the friction.