Joker & Dahlia Bites Piercing: Jewellery & Guide

The Dahlia bites piercing gets its name from the Black Dahlia murder due to way the face of Elizabeth Short, known as the Black Dahlia, was cut. If you would like to call it by a less macabre name, dahlia bites are sometimes called Joker bites after the Joker’s scars from DC Comics. The Dahlia piercing is still a fairly uncommon type of lip piercing which may be due to its tricky placement. If your Dahlia bites are too close to the mouth they can reject or tear through the mouth whereas if they are placed too far apart they become cheek piercings.

What is a dahlia piercing?

A Dahlia piercing is sometimes known as a joker piercing because of the comic book supervillain's well-known scars. It is one of the least common lip piercings you can get. Each corner of the mouth is pierced with a labret stud, as close to the corners as possible to create a lengthening effect.

How much do dahlia bites hurt?

Many people say that Dahlia piercings hurt more than other types of lip piercing because the piercing procedure is longer. The pain of the actual piercing when the needle is going through the skin is similar to any other lip piercing and should not be very painful however it will take time for your piercer to make sure they are choosing the correct placement before piercing you. You will be getting two piercings in one sitting which can make it seem more painful. Your dahlia bites piercing should not hurt afterwards.

How long do dahlia piercings take to heal?

Dahlia piercings take 2-3 months to fully heal. Your piercer may initially use a longer labret bar to allow for swelling. They will ask you to come back to the studio after 4-5 weeks to get the piercing bar changed to a shorter one for the rest of the healing time. This will help prevent catching and movement. It is important not to try and change your piercing jewellery yourself until your Dahlia piercing is fully healed as this can cause the piercing wound to re-open.

Healing dahlia bites?

Healing can take anywhere between 3-10 weeks. If the initial body jewellery irritates you after the swelling has gone down then you can return to your piercer for a change after 4-5 weeks. Dahlia piercings require careful consideration as the body jewellery will enter the outside of the mouth and exit inside.

How much do Dahlia piercings cost?

Dahlia piercings cost an average of £50 - £55. The price of your Dahlia bites may depend on the piercing jewellery you choose. It is usually worth paying the extra cost for high quality piercing jewellery as this can help with healing. Remember, the price of this piercing may be higher than other types of lip piercing because you are getting two piercings in one. It is important to visit an experience piercer to get your Dahlia piercing as it is a rarer form of lip piercing that must be placed in a specific location.

What are joker bites?

Joker bites is another name for Dahlia bites piercing. The Joker Bites name comes from the infamous DC Comics supervillain. The Joker’s scars are in the same position as the Dahlia bites (named after the Black Dahlia). Some prefer the Joker Bites name due to its less macabre origin.

What can I eat after getting Dahlia bites?

After getting your Dahlia bites piercing there are some things you can avoid eating to help with healing. Avoid drinking alcohol and eating spicy or sticky foods during the first few weeks. The Dahlia piercing could be a great choice for you if you are looking for an alternative lip piercing. After the swelling has gone down, you can return to your piercer for a change of jewellery after 4-5 weeks. Shorter piercing jewellery will help prevent food debris from getting stuck in your piercing.

What can I drink after getting dahlia bites?

The Dahlia piercing could be a great choice for you if you are willing to maintain good aftercare. After the swelling has gone down you can return to your piercer for a piercing jewellery change after 4-5 weeks. Your initial piercing jewellery will be longer to accommodate any swelling. To help reduce swelling of your dahlia bites piercing you can drink plenty of cold water or suck on ice cubes. However, you must avoid drinking alcohol and carbonated drinks during the first few weeks.

Dahlia bites are still considered among the more alternative types of piercing. The Dahlia piercing can be paired with other piercings to fully customise your look. A popular combination is a septum piercing and Dalia piercings because this provides a balanced aesthetic. You can also create symmetry by pairing the dahlia piercing with a double nostril piercing. If you want to add more lip piercings to compliment your Dahlia piercing many people opt for either a medusa or labret piercing.

For even more information about other types of piercing at Blue Banana check out our Piercing Guides and FAQ articles.

Dahlia Bites Piercing Procedure

Ready to get a Dahlia 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. Please Note: Not all our stores offer this piercing so please check ahead before you go to the store.

Make sure to check the Dahlia bites piercing age restriction before coming to store. It can help to avoid any undue disappointment. In a Blue Banana studio, the Dahlia 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 Dahlia bites piercing location.

Dahlia bites piercings are usually pierced with a labret. Your piercer will pass a cannula needle through the piercing site and then insert the jewellery. If you want to have your Dahlia bites in one sitting, remember you will be having two piercings at once. This piercing can take longer than other types of lip piercing due to the precision needed for correct placement.

Dahlia Bites Aftercare & Healing

A Dahlia 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 Dahlia bites piercing. When cleaning the inside of your Dahlia bites 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.

Dahlia Bites Piercing Jewellery

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

Dahlia Bites Piercing Labret
Dahlia Bites 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 Dahlia Bites 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 Length, e.g. 1.2mm x 8mm.

Gauge – this is the thickness of the jewellery itself.
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.