A Complete Guide to Lip Piercings
Lip piercings cover the most diverse category in facial piercing. From a single labret to snake bites or a Monroe, this guide covers every main placement, pain levels, the dual-care routine for inside and outside the mouth and what happens if the jewellery embeds.A Complete Guide to Lip Piercings
The term lip piercing covers any piercing placed on or around the lips. Most lip piercings do not actually pass through the lip tissue itself: they pierce the skin just above, below or beside the lip, with one end of the jewellery visible on the face and the flat back disc resting inside the mouth against the gum or inner lip surface. This dual inside-and-outside placement is what distinguishes the lip piercing category from other facial piercings and creates the specific aftercare requirements unique to it.
The exception is the vertical labret, which enters from below the lower lip and exits through the top surface of the lip itself: both ends visible on the face rather than one inside the mouth. This variation is often preferred by people concerned about dental contact as the jewellery does not rest against the teeth or gums.
Lip piercings offer more placement variety than almost any other piercing category. From a single understated labret to paired snake bites or the face-framing effect of a Monroe, the options allow for as subtle or as bold a result as desired. Each placement has its own anatomy requirements, healing characteristics and jewellery needs covered below.
Types of Lip Piercing
How Much Does a Lip Piercing Hurt?
Most people rate lip piercing pain at 3 to 5 out of 10. The skin in the lip area contains more nerve endings than cartilage but the piercing is through skin rather than through the lip tissue itself, which reduces the sensation significantly. Most people describe a quick sharp pinch followed by mild throbbing that settles within an hour. Swelling in the first 48 to 72 hours is expected and can make speaking and smiling feel awkward temporarily.
Lip piercings heal faster than cartilage placements because the oral environment has a good blood supply and saliva contains natural antibacterial properties that assist healing from the inside. The initial healing period of 6 to 8 weeks covers most placements though the vertical labret may take slightly longer because it passes through actual lip tissue.
| Stage | Timeframe | What to Expect |
|---|---|---|
| Inflammatory | Week 1 | Swelling, redness, mild tenderness; may affect eating and speaking temporarily |
| Settling | Weeks 2–3 | Swelling reduces; clear or pale yellow lymph fluid around jewellery is normal healing discharge not infection |
| Proliferative | Weeks 4–6 | External appearance improves; fistula still forming inside; avoid changing jewellery |
| Full healing | Weeks 6–8 | Fistula complete; can switch to shorter post or ring with piercer confirmation |
The embedding risk is unique to lip piercings and is worth knowing before you get one. If the initial jewellery is too short or swelling is more severe than expected, the flat disc inside the mouth can be pulled into the swollen tissue. If the disc begins sinking into the lip, visit your piercer immediately for a longer bar. Do not wait. Delayed treatment turns a simple jewellery swap into a much more significant issue.
What Jewellery Is Used in a Lip Piercing?
A flat-back labret stud is the standard starting jewellery for all lip piercings except the vertical labret. The flat disc sits flush against the inner lip or gum without sharp edges that could damage tooth enamel or gum tissue. The initial stud is always longer than your final healed size to accommodate the significant swelling that occurs in the first week. Your piercer will fit a shorter bar once swelling resolves.
| Style | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Flat-back labret stud | Fresh healing; all standard placements | Only appropriate starting jewellery for labret, Monroe, Madison, snake bites and Ashley piercings |
| Curved barbell | Vertical labret (fresh and healed) | Both ends must remain on the face surface; this is the only jewellery used for vertical labrets |
| Seamless ring or clicker | Healed standard labret | Popular for a lip ring look once healed; causes more gum contact than a flat-back stud |
| Captive bead ring | Healed labret and snake bites | Classic hoop aesthetic; choose a small inner diameter to minimise dental contact |
Implant-grade titanium is strongly recommended throughout healing. The inside of the mouth is a warm, moist environment where lower-grade metals corrode more quickly than in external placements. Any corrosion produces particles that are swallowed or contact the healing fistula. Titanium does not corrode and is entirely biocompatible. Once healed solid 14k gold is an excellent long-term option.
For every lip and mouth piercing type including medusa, labret, smiley and vertical labret, visit the Lip and Mouth Piercing Types Explained guide. For all piercing types in one resource, visit the Piercing Types Explained hub.
Book your lip piercing at OSCO London
Lip piercings at OSCO London are just £10. Experienced piercers, implant-grade titanium as standard and full dual aftercare guidance provided.
OSCO London is a professional piercing studio in Northwood, London. Visit the OSCO London homepage to book your lip piercing and discuss which placement suits your face shape and lifestyle with a trained professional.
How to Care for a Lip Piercing
Lip piercing aftercare has two components: the external face side and the internal mouth side. Both must be addressed at every cleaning. External: spray sterile saline at the exit point on the face twice daily. Pat dry with a clean paper towel. Do not use cotton wool as fibres can catch on the jewellery. Internal: rinse with alcohol-free mouthwash after every meal and drink. Alcohol-based mouthwashes dry the healing tissue and should not be used. Plain warm salt water works well if a suitable mouthwash is unavailable.
Keep makeup, skincare and lip products away from the piercing during healing. Lipstick, lip gloss and face moisturisers all introduce bacteria and chemical irritants to a healing fistula. Once healing is established at around 6 weeks these products can be applied carefully around the piercing but should not contact the jewellery itself.
Avoid alcohol for at least the first four weeks. Do not use straws during early healing as the suction movement pulls on the jewellery. Avoid spicy and acidic foods for the first two weeks. Check the flat disc inside the mouth daily during the first two weeks: it should sit flush and not be sinking into the lip tissue. If it begins to embed seek your piercer immediately without delay.
For information on every other oral and body piercing type, visit the Piercing Types Explained hub at OSCO London, the complete guide to every piercing placement from lip and mouth piercings through to ear cartilage and body piercings.