Lip and Labret Piercings Beaten to Death, 2018 Revision

This blog will cover Lip, Labret, Lowret, Beauty Mark, Monroe, Madonna, Crawford, Crayfish, Medusa, Clift, Upbret, Cheek,  Snake Bites or Snakebites, Spider Bites, Angel Bites, Cyber Bites, Vampire Bites. Dolphin Bites, Canine Bites, Shark Bites, Dimples piercings, and the many names these two families of piercings are called.

History and Background:

The word labret comes from the Latin word labrum, which means lip or the structure that encases the mouth. The first reference to piercings comes from anthropology, where the term is used in relation to tribal cultures that wore jewelry protruding from the mouth. The term was used for both what we call lip or labret piercings, regardless of the location, and is also used to refer to other body modifications, including those on the mouth or lips.

Historically, several tribal and prehistoric cultures have worn jewelry or altered the shape of their lips and mouths. Often used as a form of tribal marking, involved a rite of passage into adulthood or defined the social status of the wearer. The style, jewelry, and location range from simple piercings to the more extreme Lip Plates of many African tribes and can be found in nearly every part of the globe.

In modern piercing, the term Labret, pronounced "Lay-Brey" or "Lay-Bert," has been used to refer to a piercing below the lip, in the center of the chin, with post-style jewelry. In contrast, a lip piercing refers to a piercing that is closer to the lip. As the industry has progressed a number of names have been used to describe alternative placements including Beauty Marks, Medusa and Cheek.

Additionally, in recent times, groupings of two or more Lip or Labret piercings are often referred to by a single name as a form of shorthand. For example, two lower lip piercings on one side of the mouth is called Snake Bites or Snakebites Piercing. To only add to the confusion, Piercers and Piercees alike have often come up with their names for groupings and placements.  In some cases, the exact placement or grouping of piercings may be referred to by different names. 

Difference between Labret and Lip Piercing:

It seems I have this conversation several times a day and include it in every consultation I have with a piercee who wants a "Lip" piercing. The terms can be confusing even to the most seasoned vet. In recent years, I've decided to avoid confusion by breaking oral piercings that enter and exit the mouth into two families: Labret and Lip. I reason that both styles or families have different angles and Jewelry types that will work with the piercings. The first question I always ask is what type of jewelry they wish to wear in the piercing, because the angle and placement will limit the style of jewelry that can be worn comfortably and safely in the piercing.

• Lip Piercings - Traditional refers to a piercing that was done with a ring and located on the outer area of the lower lip. The piercing is done at an angle that matches the natural curve of the lip, much more outside of the mouth. Depending on the anatomy of the piercee, it can appear to be almost vertically placed and entirely outside of the mouth, especially when done in the center of the lower lip. The angle of the piercing will range from 100 to 130 degrees. If you picture a clock face, the piercing would be between 4 and 10 and 6 and 12. Ideally, it will be placed approximately 1/8 inch below the darker tissue of the lip on the inside and the harder tissue on the edge of the outside of the lip. Due to the location, a curved barbell is often the best choice for piercing. After the piercing is well healed and seasoned, a ring can be worn in the piercing. Since the piercing heals with curved jewelry, usually you can wear circular jewelry in the piercing much sooner. However, the jewelry will hang more loosely outside of the mouth than it would with the labret angle. Since a majority of the jewelry is outside the mouth, there is less contact with teeth, gums, and the bone structure of the mouth, and a reduced risk of damage unless the piercee is prone to chewing and playing with the jewelry.
• Labret Piercings - In the past, this term referred to a traditional Labret that is located below the lips and centered. This is where the confusion begins, as many clients will come in asking for a lip piercing because they don't want a location that is centered or below the lip. A Labret is pierced at a 180-degree angle to the tissue outside of the pigmented area of the lips. Picture a clock face, with the top of the lip at 12 and the piercing extending from 9 to 3. Due to the angle and placement, it requires a stud-style post jewelry, such as a Labret stud with a disc on the inside and a ball or other barbell end on the outside of the mouth. Since the placement is deeper into the mouth than a lip piercing, the jewelry is limited to this type of jewelry or an oval or teardrop-shaped ring, allowing for comfortable clearance to wrap around the lip while reducing contact with teeth, gums, and the bone structure of the mouth. However, if the piercing is close to the edge of the lip, circular jewelry can be worn in the piercing. 

Marking and Location: 

I couldn't begin to name the number of times I have a client come into the studio or answered a call and had no idea what piercing they were referring to. There were times when it felt like a game of trying to stump the piercer. The fact that the piercing may have done thousands of piercings with that placement or grouping, but either knows it by a different name, or calls it two of this or two of that. With the internet, there is an endless array of names given to piercings, especially in groupings. Sometimes it's a case of someone getting a piercing, taking a photo of the new piercing, and then posting it with a name they made up. So, it's essential to describe the grouping or placement you are looking for to ensure that you and your piercer are on the same page.

Also, insist that your piercer marks the location of the piercings before they do them. There is a growing trend among piercers of not marking piercings before they are done. This is dangerous on several levels but it also creates a situation where the piercee's input into placement is reduced. Since the piercing or piercings are on your face, they will be seen by every person you come in contact with, and piercings that are misplaced or appear off will draw additional attention. Seeking out the thing that seems out of place is a hard-wired survival skill. So, people will find their eyes drawn to a piercing when it doesn't fit into the structure of their face or doesn't match the other piercings. 

A good piercer will not mind taking the time to remark or mark several locations to ensure you are happy with the placement. The only thing is to fight the urge to touch the area after the surgical scrub has been applied. If you feel that you need to touch the area, do so before your piercer has disinfected it. Usually, verbal hints like "More to the left" or "A little higher" are descriptive enough for an experienced piercer.

After the piercer has marked the piercing, resist the urge to rush through the procedure. Take your time, study the location, and if you have someone with you, ask for their opinion. If the marking seems off from what you desired, ask your piercer to adjust the marking. If they feel that the placement won't work well, they should provide a detailed explanation as to why they think the other location is better. Out of the entire piercing experience, the Jewelry selection and Marking of the piercing is a collaborative effort. The piercer should guide you through the process, but you should also be asked for input.

Smile, Pout, and Relax:

Depending on the piercing placement location, your piercer should ask you to either smile, frown, or pout before marking and/or after. What they are doing is ensuring that the placement is not into muscle tissue or areas that will cause additional swelling, are at a high risk of contact with gums, teeth, and bones, or may cause other problems. Additionally, a skilled piercer assesses how the piercing will appear with various facial expressions and whether it complements your facial structure. 

Afterward, they may want to adjust or relocate the piercing to avoid areas that expand and contract significantly or crease when you smile. This is especially the case with muscle tissue, which will dramatically increase your chances of swelling, could prolong healing, and require you to wear longer jewelry even after the piercing is healed. Your piercer may also feel or pinch the tissue to study the structure of your mouth. 

Different Placements:

• Lip Piercings:
  • Traditional Lip Piercing - Pierced on either side of the lower lip with a ring or curved barbell. Should avoid the corner of the mouth and shouldn't go through the "Smile" muscles. Inside it should a 1/8 of an inch inside of the Dry or smooth skin of the inside of the mouth and a 1/8th an inch below the thick tissue of the edge or rim of the lip. In most cases, the piercing may be slightly deeper in the lip and then migrate to the desired spot. The angle should match the natural curve of the protruding lips.
  • Lip Piercing - Pierced anywhere on the lower lip, placed as high as possible, especially if the client wants to wear circular jewelry. Although the placement is the same as a traditional lip piercing, the angle is straight into the mouth, and a Labret Stud is required to heal and season the piercing. This means you will need to wait 6 to 12 months before switching to rings or other styles of circular jewelry.
  • Vertical Labret Piercing - Also known as an Angel Kiss Piercing, this type of piercing features the exact placement and angle as a traditional lip piercing. Still, it is done in the center of the lower lip in alignment with the philtrum, the vertical groove below the Septum. Typically, the lip protrudes significantly more at the center, and the angle can be almost vertical. It is pierced with a longer-than-needed curved barbell to allow for swelling. After healing a snug curved barbell can be worn and may reduce migration that is caused by ring wanting to lean to one side or the other.
  • Jestrum Piercing - Done through the top lip through the philtrum or off to the side at the same angle as a Vertical Labret Piercing.
  • Labret Piercings:
    • Labret Piercing - Also known as a Lip or Lowbret piercing. Traditionally located below the lip and in the center of the chin in alignment with the philtrum, Septum, and base of the chin. It can be located pretty much anywhere a lip piercing can be, but needs to be a little more below the lip, and the angle of the piercing is at a 180-degree angle with the tissue. When angled correctly, the disc of the Labret Stud will lie flat against the skin. Due to the location and angle of the piercing, a Labret Stud style barbell or with lower and centered located piercing a Fishtail Labret will need to be worn during healing. After the piercing is healed, an oval or teardrop-shaped ring can be worn, provided it is long enough to wrap comfortably around the lip. If you want to wear a ring, it may be a better option to get a lip piercing.
    • Beauty Mark Piercing - Also known as a Monroe, Madonna, Chrome Crawford,  Steel Crawford, and Crayfish piercing. The angle is similar to a Labret piercing, but is located on either side of the philtrum, inside the smile line. Usually, I place it in alignment with the slant of the nostril. Jewelry is limited in the same way as the Labret piercing.
    • Medusa - Also known as a Cleft Piercing, Upbret Piercing, or KA Piercing. Angle is the same as a Labret piercing and requires the same type of jewelry, but is located in the center of the philtrum, about halfway between the Septum and the upper lip. Jewelry is limited in the same way as a Labret Piercing.
    • Cheek Piercing - Also known as Dimple or Dimples Piercing, and placed outside of the corner of the mouth and the "smile" Muscles and Parotid ducts in alignment with the edge of the smile line and the first molar above and below the gum line. Usually, when marking, I have the piercer pucker and draw their cheeks in to find the best placement. There are several risks associated with cheek piercing. These include piercing the muscle tissue, which can cause prolonged healing and swelling that extends beyond the jewelry's length. However, the most significant is affecting the Parotid ducts, which supply saliva to the mouth. There are cases where the duct becomes blocked or secretes into the piercing. Often, the jewelry must be significantly longer than what would be recommended for other Labret piercings.

Groupings:

I don't know how many times I've had a client call or stop by the studio and ask for a piercing name that I've never heard of before. Often this is because the names are used to describe a grouping of piercings that I've been doing since 1994, but didn't hear them called a ________ piercing until the last 5 or 10 years. I have performed numerous snakebites and spider bites, which we call two lip or labret piercings. The reality is that the piercings can be grouped or placed to fulfill your desire. The only limit is your anatomy.  For example, I had a client some years ago who was obsessed with triangles. She came in and said she wanted a triangle. I started with my advice and consultation on the female genital piercing called a Triangle. She waited patiently as I went through my spiel about the rare anatomy required and began leading her to the piercing station to assess her anatomy. She didn't seem to understand we were talking about two different piercings until I asked her to disrobe. A little freaked out, she wondered why on earth I would need to know what was down there for me to pierce her mouth. After a round of laughter, she told me that she had seen the name on the web and thought that was what it was called. What she wanted was a triangle made up of two labret piercings below her lip on each side and a centered labret.  

So when you call or stop by your piercing studio, don't be surprised if the piercer has no idea what the name you found on the internet is. It is also essential to describe the piercing to ensure you are both on the same page. In my years working as a Bartender and in the services industry, one of the most important lessons I learned is to repeat back the client's request. Often, I will reply with a standard name and then describe the piercing to make sure we are talking about the same thing. For example, if someone comes in asking for Snakebites, I immediately reply, "Snakebites, two lip or labret piercings on the sides of the lower lip." 

Later on, I will go into a little bit about marking, but I cannot stress the importance of ensuring that your piercer marks the piercings. Not only to allow you to judge the placement, but also to ensure that you are both referring to the same grouping. There is an impulse to get it over with, but it is a lot easier to change a marking than it is to have the piercing or piercings re-pierced. 

It is also vital that you let your piercer know if you plan to get a grouping done, but only want to do one at a time, so that they are aware of this. There is no reason that a grouping cannot be done in stages to fit your budget, fears, or pain threshold. However, in some cases, planning is necessary for the first piercing to ensure it can be easily matched in the future. You may want to ask your piercer to mark all of the piercings in the grouping to get an idea of how it will look in the future. I often do this when a client has a goal of several piercings in a small area, and then give them the choice of which one they want to start with.

• Snake Bites or Snakebites - Either a set of lip or labret piercings on both sides of the lower lip. I usually align them with the outer edge of the nostril.
• Spider Bites - Either a set of lip or labret piercings below the lower lip and side by side on one side of the mouth.
• Angel Bites - A set of Beauty Mark piercings on each side of the philtrum. I usually place them in alignment with the natural angle of the nose.
• Cyber Bites - Combination of a Medusa piercing and a traditional centered Labret Piercing. It can also be done as a combination of a Vertical Labret & a Jestrum Piercing.
• Vampire Bits - A set of Jestrum Piercings on each side of the upper lip.
• Dolphin Bites - A set of two Labret or lip piercings on the lower lip that are just off center on each side. Basically, Snake Bites, but in the center.
• Canine Bites - Four piercings in total. A combination of Snake and Angel Bites
• Shark Bites - Four piercings in total. A combination of two sets of spider bites on each side.
• Dimples - A set of Cheek Piercings
• Dahlia Bites - A set of piercings just in front of the smile muscles on both sides.

Groupings are only limited by your imagination and your anatomy. If you have an idea, ask your piercer.

Jewelry types:

• Lip Piercing Jewelry:
  • Curved Barbell - A curved-shaped post with two threaded ends. In most cases, a curved barbell can be worn in a lip piercing, depending on the shape and placement of the piercing.
  • Captive Bead and Beaded Rings - A circular ring with a fixed bead or ball, or a bead or ball that is held captive by the tension of the ring. Depending on the angle of the piercing and the jewelry used to heal the piercing, you may have to wait 6 to 12 months before you can wear rings.
  • Circular Barbell - A circularly shaped horseshoe with two threaded ends. All the same issues as rings.
• Labret Piercing Jewelry:
  • Labret Stud - A post with a flat or dome-shaped disc on one side and a threaded end on the other side. The most commonly used piercing jewelry is for Labret piercings. Since swelling is a fact, the jewelry will often need to be much longer than required or is comfortable, and will need to be replaced once the piercing is healed.
  • Fishtail Labret - A L-shaped post with a ball or other end on one side. Not as common as they once were, and do not work well with multiple piercings or piercings that are above the lips or pierced close to the lip. The advantages are that they can be shaped to fit naturally into the shape of the piercee's mouth and have no sharp edges to wear on gums and teeth. However, they take up more space and are not as secure as Labret Studs.
  • Oval or Tear Drop Shaped Rings - A ring that is oval-shaped or tear-shaped. With Labret piercings, an oval-shaped ring may be comfortably worn in the piercing. However, if you want a piercing that allows you to wear a ring most of the time, a Lip Piercing is a better option than a Labret piercing.

Hassles and Aftercare:

Most Lip and Labret piercings will take between 8 and 14 weeks to heal and require you to follow both Oral Aftercare Instructions (first 2 to 4 weeks) and Basic Aftercare Instructions until the piercing is fully healed. This will involve cleaning with a sterile saline spray twice daily. For the first 2 weeks, I suggest rinsing twice daily with an alcohol-free antiseptic mouthwash. For the first 3 to 5 days, your piercing will be at risk of swelling, and you will need to adjust your diet to minimize the risk of swelling. So you will want to avoid Alcohol, Tobacco, Hot and spicy food, or anything that might agitate the piercing.

Also, you will need to keep your clothing, bedding, or anything that may come into contact with the piercing clean, avoid swimming, kissing, and sexual contact with the piercing until it is healed.

Procedure:

Lip Piercing:

• Consultation, Jewelry Selection, and paperwork.

• Evaluating the piercee's anatomy to ensure that the piercing can be done safely and to size the jewelry.

• Setup

• Disinfecting the piercing area with a surgical scrub

• Marking the piercing

• The piercee is reclined and the piercing markings and area are lined up and clamped with a set of forceps.

• Lining up the needle on the outside of the mouth and distracting the piercee.

• Injecting the piercing needle through the piercing area and cork.

• Insert and close the jewelry

• Stop any bleeding and clean the piercing area.

Labret Piercing:

• Consultation, Jewelry Selection, and paperwork.

• Evaluating the piercee's anatomy to ensure that the piercing can be done safely and to size the jewelry.

• Setup

• Disinfecting the piercing area with a surgical scrub

• Marking the piercing

• The piercee is reclined and the piercing markings and area are lined up and clamped with a set of forceps.

• Lining up the needle on the outside of the mouth and distracting the piercee.

• Injecting the piercing needle through the piercing area and cork.

• The Forceps are removed

• A taper pin is used to push the needle out.

• The taper pin is inserted into the labret stud on the inside of the mouth.

• The Jewelry is guided into the piercing using the taper pin.

• Hemostats are clamped on the post, and the end is threaded into the post.

• Stop any bleeding and clean the piercing area.

Risks:

Due to the jewelry being inside your mouth, there is a high risk of contact with gums, teeth, and the bone structure of your mouth. Since the jewelry, in most cases, is made of a hard metal, continued contact can cause damage. At the time of piercing, the jewelry is larger to allow for swelling and to reduce risks; it should be replaced with shorter jewelry after the piercing is healed. Even if the piercing is placed correctly, you downsize the jewelry and do everything right, wearing the jewelry can still cause damage. To reduce these risks, avoid playing with the piercing and activities that may increase contact with teeth, gums, and bones. With Labret piercings, avoiding opening your mouth wide may be needed to reduce catching the jewelry on teeth.