Following on from the ear and nose, a lip piercing is among the most popular piercing today. From traditional beginnings where bone, gold, and other natural materials were worn in the lip we have moved on to a time where labrets are now made from titanium, surgical steel, and even acrylic providing great flexibility to anyone with a lip piercing. 

You may have heard the term labret a great deal when reading about lip piercing and that’s because it is derived from the Latin word labrum which means lip. Most lip piercings are pierced with a labret bar but only the piercing placed in the centre under the lower lip is called the Labret Piercing. There is also a lip piercing called the Vertical Labret which places a curved barbell through the bottom lip and out in the labret position (the opposite of this on the upper lip is called a Jestrum). 

If you want to know more about each type of piercing and the piercing jewellery you can wear then see our menu for our individual lip piercing pages. 

Lip Piercing FAQs 

How bad do lip piercings hurt? 

Generally, lip piercings are thought to be a 4 out of 10 on the pain scale but lip piercings that go through the actual lip are reported to hurt more. This is because there are lots of nerve endings in the lip, therefore, making it more sensitive. Lip piercing should only be painful briefly as the piercing procedure is over very quickly. If the lip piercing pain is bad after you have been pierced, we recommend visiting your doctor or piercer in case your piercing has developed a problem or infection. 

How are lip piercings done? 

Your piercer will mark the location for your lip piercing so you can check you are happy with the position. When you are getting your lip piercing done they may use a small clamp to hold your lip in place. The piercer will push a cannula needle through the skin, from the inside of the mouth to the outside, followed by the piercing jewellery. Lip piercings are usually done with long pieces of jewellery to allow for swelling so you may be asked to return to the piercing studio after a few weeks to have your piercing jewellery changed to a shorter bar. 

What are lip piercings called? 

There are many different lip piercings which are all called different lip piercing names. The types of lip piercing are: 

• Angel Bites Piercing 
• Ashley Piercing 
• Canine Bites Piercing 
• Cyber Bites Piercing 
• Dahlia Bites Piercing 
• Dolphin Bites Piercing 
• Jestrum Piercing 
• Labret Piercing 
• Madonna Piercing 
• Medusa Piercing 
• Monroe Piercing 
• Shark Bites Piercing 
• Snake Bites Piercing 
• Spider Bites Piercing 
• Vertical Labret Piercing 
• Viper Bites Piercing 

Please see the information box on this page for details about the placement of each lip piercing. 

How long does it take a lip piercing to heal? 

A lip piercing can take a long time to heal due to the placement inside the mouth. It usually takes 6-8 weeks to fully heal a lip piercing but in some cases, it may take longer. Some lip piercings can take up to 6 months to heal. This area can be easily knocked which can prolong lip piercing healing time so take care when eating and always clear food debris out of your piercing jewellery. If you get a lip piercing infection during healing it may take longer to fully heal. To see the specific healing time for each piercing please visit our dedicated lip piercing pages for each type. 

Are lip piercings bad for your teeth? 

Lip piercings can be bad for your teeth if the piercing jewellery you are wearing is too long. While you will probably initially be pierced with a longer piece of jewellery to allow for swelling, it is important to choose short jewellery after because this will help prevent the back of the jewellery from catching on your teeth. If a lip piercing rubs or knocks against your teeth it can cause chipping, enamel damage, and gum recession. If gum recession is not treated it can eventually lead to tooth loss. Maintain good oral hygiene and clean your piercing regularly to help prevent your teeth from being affected. 

Do lip piercings makes your lips look bigger? 

Some people believe lip piercings can make your lips look bigger as they draw attention to your lips giving this illusion. Lip piercings can be a great way of gaining more confidence in the way your lips look. There’s nothing like decorating your body with gorgeous labret bars and rings to celebrate your own unique beauty. 

How long after a lip piercing can you kiss? 

After getting a lip piercing you will need to wait 6-8 weeks before kissing anyone. Do not kiss until your piercing is fully healed as it can introduce bacteria into your lip piercing wound and can cause movement or pressure on the piercing which may delay healing. Once your piercing has healed you may prefer to be kissed more gently to prevent the piercing jewellery from rubbing against your teeth and gums. 

What is the piercing on the bottom lip called? 

There are many types of bottom lip piercing. The most common is the labret which is placed in the centre, under the lip. Other types of lower lip piercing include: 

• Dolphin Lip Piercing 
• Snake Bites Lip Piercing 
• Viper Bites Lip Piercing 
• Spider Bites Lip Piercing 
• Shark Bites Lip Piercing 

If your lip piercing has already healed and you are ready to change to a lip ring piercing then make sure to check out our full range of lip piercing jewellery to choose the perfect piece for you.