Lip piercing names can be confusing, at best. Luckily for you, we’ve rounded up the most popular types of oral/lip piercing styles to make a sound decision about your first oral piercing.
Table of Contents
What is a labret piercing?
Labret piercing is a type of oral piercing done on the lower lips. The procedure is swift and nearly painless, as a single hollow need is inserted to perforate the side of the lower lip. This type of piercing is so popular that you can find much appropriate jewelry under the tag “labret stud.”
When the piercing is fully healed, the labret piercing can be adorned with a variety of other possible jewelry, including straight barbells, curved barbells, and hoops. Hoops are simple, lightweight, and popular with both men and women.
Labret piercings are considered a ‘foundational’ piercing that can be combined with additional perforations to create a distinct look. Multiple labret piercings can also be done in the same area to achieve a unique aesthetic.
Compared to other oral piercings, the labret piercing is the least painful of them all. Note, however, that all piercings on the lips and around it are painful because of the dense nerve bundles in this region.
It is said that nerve stimuli around the lips travels at lightning speed to the brain, so the tissues here are going to be sensitive, and if there is any pain, that pain is going to linger and probably disturb your sleep. Despite this, many people still like getting labret piercings because they are beautiful, and with the right jewelry, you will easily stand out of the crowd.
When you get a labret piercing, you must pay close attention to the wound. Pain, swelling, and the release of effuse or discharge should be considered seriously.
Swelling that can render the lips unrecognizable is quite possible, so proper aftercare is important to reduce the possibility of an infection that will greatly lengthen your recovery period. It takes around six to eight weeks for a labret piercing to heal completely.
What is a smiley piercing?
The smiley piercing is considered a concealed oral piercing because you won’t see it unless the person gives you a big smile. The piercing is performed on the soft flap that bridges the upper lip and the upper gums. Individuals with have dental work like braces and those with a small frenulum may not be ideal candidates for the smiley piercing. Other possible reasons why you can’t get it to include having dental sealants and being diagnosed with certain too and gum diseases.
Three kinds of jewelry are used for the smiley oral piercing: the seamless ring, the circular barbell, and the captive bead ring. The most commonly picked jewelry for this piercing is the captive bead ring. On the other hand, the circular barbell is the second most popular piece of jewelry for the frenulum. The circular barbell resembles small horsehide. And finally, there is a seamless ring. The seamless ring lacks the bead that is normally used to lock the curved metal in place.
Four kinds of metal are appropriate for piercings inside the mouth: gold, niobium, surgical stainless steel, and surgical titanium. Surgical titanium is the most appropriate (and not to mention the safest choice) for people who are generally sensitive to metals.
If you easily develop skin allergies and similar irritations, surgical titanium is your best bet. Surgical stainless steel is the second most hypoallergenic metal; though, in rare instances, people still develop allergies after being exposed to it.
Niobium holds the distinction of being hypoallergenic and resistant to all kinds of corrosion. And finally, there’s gold. 14-karat gold is used for oral piercings. We recommend 14-karat pieces because anything with higher purity is softer and can become deformed inside your mouth after a time. Do not use anything that is GEP or gold-plated as these may corrode in time. Gold-plated jewelry is made of other metals and is gold only at the bare, thin surface.
What is a snake bite piercing?
The snake bit piercing involves two perforations of the lower lips, each on either side. It is so-called because the two perforations are equidistant to each other, forming a good symmetry, like the fangs of a venomous snake. The perforations are always on the corners of the lower lip. It has seen a resurgence in recent years and is considered a most fashionable and trendy oral piercing.
People say that has a mysterious look about it because the studs are partially concealed, and the piercing produces a different kind of look each time the face turns. In terms of pain, this oral piercing is on the high side because it will traverse the lower lip tissue and come out on the other side. We do not recommend getting double punctures at once. What we mean is that you should get one puncture first, then heal a little bit before getting the second one. Having both at the same time may expose you to unbearable pain, which may cause you to lose sleep and cause physical fatigue.
What are Angel bites?
The angel bites piercing is the direct opposite of the venom piercing. Instead of punching holes through the lower lip, two equidistant perforations are done on the upper lip. Beads and gemstones are normally used for this perforation. Once healed, you can do a lot of the two perforations, and you can experiment with various types of rings, barbells, and the like. Many people have additional perforation on the nose and lower lip to accent upper lip adornments.
Angel bites piercings are slightly less painful than lower lip perforations.
However, the healing period is quite long. Get this piercing only if you are willing to clean and monitor your piercing for up to three months. Aftercare is essential for all kinds of oral and facial piercings, and the moment you drop off, the healing period will likely extend, especially if there is infection.
