Snake Bites Piercing: Jewellery, FAQs & Guide

Snake bites piercings combine two piercings either side of the centre of the mouth, under the bottom lip. There are many combinations of lower lip piercings so a true snake bite lip piercing will be equal distance from the centre of the lips and the corners of the mouth. Want to know more about snake bite piercing? We have gathered all your FAQs to answer everything you have always wanted to know about Snake Bites.

Where is the snake bite piercing?

The Snake bites piercing combines two piercings on the lower lip. Each labret bar is placed either side of the mouth under the bottom lip, an equal distance apart to achieve the aesthetically pleasing look of snake bites. The snake bites piercing can be worn with labrets, circular barbells, or rings.

How long do Snake bite piercings take to heal?

Healing snake bites piercings doesn’t take as long as you may think. The average snake bite piercing healing time is 2-3 months. Some people opt to have the two piercings done separately which extends the overall healing time but many find that lip piercings are easier to heal individually. Your piercing may take longer to heal if you have had an infection or if you do not follow an aftercare routine.

Does snake bites piercing hurt?

Snake bite piercings do hurt but it may not hurt as much as you think. Most people rate the pain of a snake bites piercing at 4 out of 10 on the pain scale which is similar to any lip piercing. If you are getting both piercings in one sitting it does take longer which may make it seem more painful. After getting your snake bites it should not hurt but you may experience some swelling.

How much is a snake bite piercing?

A Snake bite piercing costs an average of £50 - £55. A snake bite piercing is placed underneath the bottom lip, on both sides. This means you will be paying the price for two piercings. It is not always wise to get both sides of the snake bite piercing done in one due to swelling but it can also help you spread out the cost. Always prioritise the experience of the piercer over saving a few pounds as this can pay off in the long run. Your safety is more important than the overall snake bite piercing cost.

Why is snake bite piercing dangerous?

Snake bite piercing is not dangerous as long as your piercing is carried out by a professional and you follow a strict aftercare regime. Lip piercings have a low rate of rejection and heal very quickly, reducing the risks. One of the dangers of the Snake bites piercing is that it can rub against the teeth and gums, causing damage. If you think this is happening your piercer may be able to change your piercing jewellery or give advice. The snake bite piercing is sometimes confused with the snake eyes tongue piercing which is considered dangerous due to the high chance of rejection.

How do you reduce swelling from a snake bite piercing?

To reduce the swelling from a snake bite piercing you can suck on ice cubes which will help soothe your mouth. Make sure to avoid playing with or touching the piercing jewellery while your Snake Bites are healing. You can reduce inflammation and minimize discomfort by eating soft cold foods. Some people find that keeping their head elevated while sleeping can also help to reduce swelling. Within a week or two, the swelling of your lip piercing should have gone down.

Can snake bite piercings ruin your teeth?

Snake bite piercings have the potential to ruin your teeth if not properly cared for. The damage to your teeth and gums can occur if the piercing jewellery is too long and the bar rubs against the mouth. This can cause damage such as redness and recession to the gums, and chipping or enamel wear to the teeth. If you think your tooth or gums are being affected by your snake bite piercings then talk to your piercer as they may be able to try alternative jewellery or advise on how to prevent the piercing from ruining your teeth.

What can I eat after getting a snake bite piercing?

After getting a snake bite piercing, you can eat soft cold foods for the first few days to help soothe your mouth and reduce swelling. You will need to leave spicy foods out of your diet until the snake bite piercing has healed in order to prevent the wound from re-opening. Avoid sticky foods during healing and take care after the piercing has healed as these types of foods can get stuck around the piercing jewellery. If you can, take small bites when eating and chew slowly to prevent your snake bite piercing jewellery from getting caught.

What can I drink after getting a snake bite piercing?

After getting a snake bite piercing, you can drink cold water to help soothe your piercing. Some people like to suck on small ice cubes to reduce swelling. It is important to avoid drinking alcohol, carbonated drinks, and sugary drinks as these can all hinder the healing process. Some people prefer to also avoid hot drinks and milk while healing a lip piercing. After your snake bite piercing has healed you can drink all of these types of drink.

Snake bites piercing are sometimes confused with Spider Bites piercing. The spider bites piercing features two piercings close together one of side of the lip. Want to find out more about Spider Bites? See our Spider Bites article, here. Snake bites can be paired with a number of piercings but one of the most popular combos is Snake Bites and Angel bites which when combined are known as Canine Bites. The angel bites are similar to Snake bites but placed above the top lip.

Ready to choose your snake bites piercing jewellery? This is one lip piercing that you will have plenty of opportunities to customise. With people adding circular barbells, BCRs, or an array or labret designs to their piercing snake bites, you can easily make this look stand-out.

Ready to discover more about piercings at Blue Banana? Check out our Piercing Guides or other FAQ articles for even more piercing info.

Snake Piercing Procedure

Ready to get a Snake bites piercing? Use our store locator to find your local Blue Banana Studio. There’s no need to book an appointment; you can simply go to the store of your choice and be pierced on the day.

Make sure to check the Snake bites piercing age restriction before coming to store. It can help to avoid any undue disappointment. In a Blue Banana studio, the Snake bites piercing age restriction is 16 (ID may be required). Lip piercings are not available with parental consent.

Once you’re all booked in, you will have some forms to fill out. A member of Blue Banana staff will go through the steps and can help you pick out jewellery. Then you can meet the piercer! They too will give you a quick consultation and briefing before discussing the Snake bites piercing location.

Snake bites piercings are usually pierced with a labret. Your piercer will pass a cannula needle through the piercing site and then insert the jewellery. Remember, you will be sitting for two piercings in one if you opt for Snake bite piercings.

Snake Piercing Aftercare Advice

Snake bites piercing can take 2-3 months to fully heal. The exact healing time varies from person to person and will need top aftercare to ensure successful healing.

After the initial piercing, your lip is likely to swell and can be quite sore. During the healing process, you should avoid spicy and sticky foods, including chewing gum as this can get caught around your piercing jewellery. During healing, avoid smoking, alcohol, and kissing as this may introduce unwanted bacteria into your piercing wound.

There are two different types of cleaning you will need to do for your Snake bite piercing. When cleaning the inside of your Snake bite piercing, swill a saltwater solution around your mouth twice a day. Ensure there is no food stuck around your piercing, regularly use mouthwash to maintain good oral hygiene, and try to avoid touching your piercing while it heals. When cleaning the outside of the piercing, use a saltwater solution or Tea Tree Oil to gently bathe the piercing twice a day.

If you would like further information, make sure to read our full Piercing Aftercare Guides to learn about side effects to look out for.

Choosing Snake Piercing Jewellery

There’s plenty of options when it comes to Snake bites piercing jewellery from Blue Banana. Some popular styles include:

Snake Bite Piercing Bar
Snake Bite Piercing Rings
Snake Bite Piercing Jewellery

There are a range of colours and designs to choose from in our lip piercing jewellery range. When choosing your piercing jewellery there are a few things you should consider:

Jewellery Size – Make sure to find out from your piercer the size your Snake bite piercing jewellery should be.
Jewellery Material – piercing materials differ not only through their look but also how they could react to your skin. If you have sensitive skin that is prone to irritation, one of the many Titanium jewellery options is recommended. This material comes in a variety of colours and is durable too!

When searching for a piece of jewellery make sure you know your measurements. We display the piercing jewellery measurements as Gauge first (displayed in millimetres) then Diameter/Length, e.g. 1.2mm x 8mm.

Gauge – this is the thickness of the jewellery itself.
Diameter – the width across the widest point of the jewellery for hoops and rings.
Length – the length of the piercing bar, usually not including the ball.

Make sure to check out the tips from our piercing guides for information about changing and removing piercing jewellery.

Other Guides & Ranges

Please Note: Blue Banana piercing information is based on knowledge from our experiences as one of the UK's top piercing studios. All details provided should be read alongside professional advice. Please see our full Piercing Articles Disclaimer, here.

Snake Bites Piercing Jewellery

Snake Bites Piercing Jewellery

Snake Piercing Procedure

Snake Piercing Aftercare Advice

Choosing Snake Piercing Jewellery

Other Guides & Ranges