17 Types of Piercings on Lips

The types of piercings on the lips are labret, side labret, Monroe, Medusa, Madonna, and Ashley. Other styles include Snake Bite, Dolphin Bite, vertical Labret, and Dahlia. Each is named based on the piercing's location and the number of piercings.

We will discuss 17 types of lip piercings, grouped into basic and stylized versions. We'll also include the healing period for each, plus some tips for caring for your lip piercing at the end.

If you want a lip piercing done right, look no further than Xtremities Tattoo and Piercing here in Mississauga. We are a team of professional piercers who will give you the perfect lip piercing that exactly matches your choice. Call (905) 897-3503 today.

What Is a Piercing on the Lip?

A piercing on the lip is a small hole made through the skin on, above, or below your lip. Your piercer uses a sterile needle, and the piercing itself takes only a few seconds. Once the hole is made, a piece of jewellery is slid into it. 

Lip piercings come in many styles. Some sit below the bottom lip, like the labret. Some sit above the top lip. Think, Monroe and Madonna. Some go through the lip itself. Each style has its own name. 

Most lip piercings heal in about six to twelve weeks, though some take longer.

Basic Types of Piercings on Lips

Basic lip piercing styles are the labret, side labret, Monroe, Medusa, Madonna, and Ashley.

1. Labret Piercing

A labret piercing sits in the centre just below the bottom lip. The jewellery has a flat disc on the inside of your mouth and a decorative end on the outside. 

Healing takes about six to eight weeks. Your piercer starts you with a longer bar to leave room for swelling. After three or four weeks, you come back for a shorter, snugger fit.

2. Side Labret Piercing

A side labret sits off-centre on the lower lip, to the left or right. It is similar to a classic labret, but the placement is shifted to one side. Healing takes six to twelve weeks. 

A flat-back labret stud is the standard jewellery. People often pick this spot to draw attention to one side of the face or balance out other facial piercings.

3. Madonna Piercing

The Madonna sits on the upper right side of the lip, copying Madonna's famous beauty mark. It uses a flat-back labret stud with a small gem or metallic end. Healing takes about eight to twelve weeks. 

Because part of the jewellery sits inside the mouth, you'll need to rinse with alcohol-free mouthwash after meals. A small, subtle top keeps the beauty-mark look clean.

4. Monroe Piercing

The Monroe is the Madonna's mirror. It sits on the upper-left side, above the lip. It's named for Marilyn Monroe's famous beauty mark. 

Both jewellery and healing also match the Madonna. That is, a flat-back labret stud and eight to twelve weeks to heal. 

Both piercings look best with small, delicate tops. The easiest way to tell them apart is by which side of the face they sit on.

5. Medusa Piercing

The Medusa sits in the centre of the upper lip. It is placed right in the philtrum, the small groove above your cupid's bow. It is one of the boldest single lip piercings because it lines up with the middle of your face. 

A flat-back labret stud is the standard jewellery. Healing takes eight to twelve weeks.

6. Ashley Piercing

The Ashley goes through the centre of the bottom lip itself, with only one visible point on the front. The flat back of the jewellery sits inside your mouth, tucked behind the lip. 

Healing takes longer than with most lip piercings, usually 12 to 16 weeks. Because the needle passes through the lip tissue, you can only wear a labret stud in an Ashley.

Common Style Twists on the Basic Types of Lip Piercings

The following are stylized versions of the basics.

7. Vertical Labret Piercing

A vertical labret has two puncture points, both on the bottom lip itself. One sits at the top of the lip, and the other exits just below it. A curved barbell is used, so you see a bead on both ends. 

Healing takes six to eight weeks. This style carries less risk of gum or tooth damage because nothing enters the mouth.

8. Jestrum Piercing

The Jestrum is the Medusa's vertical cousin. It runs down through the upper lip in the philtrum area, with one bead above the lip and one below. 

A curved barbell is the standard jewellery. Healing usually takes eight to twelve weeks. 

9. Snake Bite Piercing

Snake Bite is a pair of lip piercings that are on each side of the lower lip, near the outer edges. Each one is basically a side labret. 

Both can be pierced in the same session, though some piercers space them out to manage swelling. Healing takes six to ten weeks. Small hoops or labret studs both look great.

10. Dahlia Piercing

Dahlia piercings sit at the exact corners of the mouth, where the upper and lower lips meet. They're almost always done as a matching pair. 

This is a tricky placement. The corners of the mouth move a lot when talking and eating, which slows and makes healing harder. Expect three to six months of careful aftercare.

11. Angel Bite Piercing

Angel bites are the upper-lip version of snake bites. That is, a Monroe on the left and a Madonna on the right, done together. They frame the upper lip in a soft, even way. 

Healing takes eight to twelve weeks per piercing. Small studs keep the look subtle, while rings make it bolder. Both sides can be done in one session.

12. Dolphin Bite Piercing

Dolphin bites are two piercings close together in the centre of the lower lip, just under the lip line. The name comes from the narrow shape of a dolphin's muzzle. 

Healing takes two to six months. Also, because the piercings sit so close together, swelling can be pronounced. Some piercers do one at a time to give the area a break.

13. Cyber Bite Piercing

A cyber bite combines a Medusa and a labret. That is, one piercing above the upper lip and one below the lower lip, both dead centre. The pair lines up to create a strong vertical accent down the middle of the face. 

Each piercing heals on its own timeline, usually six to twelve weeks. Flat-back labret studs are standard.

14. Spider Bite Piercing

Spider bites (also called viper bites) are two piercings placed close together on one side of the lower lip. The pairing creates a small, tight group. 

Healing takes six to ten weeks. Because the piercings sit so close, swelling tends to be more noticeable than with a single labret. Labret studs work best during healing; hoops can come later.

15. Shark Bite Piercing

Shark bites are four piercings in total, two on each side of the lower lip, creating a layered look like a shark's bite mark. It's basically a pair of spider bites, one on each side. 

Healing can take two to six months because of the number of piercings. Most piercers split the work over more than one session.

16. Canine Bite Piercing

Canine bites are four piercings that combine angel bites on the upper lip with snake bites on the lower lip. The result is a matching set, sitting near the canine teeth on both sides of the mouth.

Healing takes eight to twelve weeks. And, because four piercings are a lot for the body to heal at once, this one is often done in two sessions.

17. Cheek Piercings

Cheek piercings, also called dimple piercings, go through the cheeks on both sides to create the look of natural dimples. They're one of the most advanced facial piercings because of the nerves and salivary ducts nearby. 

Healing can take up to a year. Flat-back labret studs with extra-long bars are used at first, and the jewellery is downsized a few times as swelling fades.

Lip Piercings Health and Safety Tips

A healthy lip piercing comes down to two things: a clean start and careful aftercare. Your mouth is already full of bacteria, so lip piercings need a little more attention than something like an earlobe. 

Here's what you can do at home to speed up healing and keep your piercing looking its best.

• Rinse your mouth with alcohol-free mouthwash after every meal and before bed.

• Clean the outside of the piercing twice a day with sterile saline solution or spray.

• Don't touch, twist, or play with the jewellery. Wash your hands first if you need to check it.

• Skip alcohol, smoking, and vaping for at least the first two weeks. All three are slow-healing and irritate the wound.

• Stick to soft, mild foods during the first week or two. Avoid anything spicy, acidic, salty, or very hot.

• Chew slowly and carefully. Biting down on fresh jewellery can crack a tooth or push the stud into the skin.

• Hold off on kissing and oral contact until the piercing is fully healed. Someone else's saliva can cause infection.

• Stay out of pools, lakes, hot tubs, and saunas until your piercer gives the all-clear.

• Come back for a jewellery downsize three to four weeks. A shorter bar protects your teeth and gums long-term.

• Watch for warning signs such as spreading redness, thick yellow or green discharge, or fever. Call your piercer if anything feels off.

Get a Lip Piercing at Xtremities

At Xtremities Tattoo and Piercing, we've been piercing lips in Mississauga for more than 20 years. 

Our piercers work with single-use needles, implant-grade jewellery, and hospital-grade sterilization. We take the time to talk through placement, show you exactly where the piercing will sit, and make sure you love it before the needle comes out.

We also include a free jewellery downsizing once your swelling goes down, so you stay comfortable through healing.

Call (905) 897-3503 or walk in to 37 Dundas St W, Mississauga, ON. We'd love to meet you.

FAQs

What is the most painful lip piercing?

The Dahlia piercing is often ranked the most painful. It sits at the very corners of the mouth, where the tissue is dense and constantly moving. Healing is tough, and pain often lasts longer than with other lip piercings.

What is the easiest lip piercing to get?

A standard labret is the easiest. It heals in six to eight weeks, uses simple flat-back jewellery, and causes less swelling than most other lip piercings. 

What is a pixie piercing?

A pixie piercing is a small labret-style piercing placed low on the chin, just under the bottom lip area. It uses a tiny flat-back stud and creates a delicate, almost fairy-like accent. Healing usually takes six to ten weeks.

What is the minimum age to get a lip piercing?

At Xtremities, you must be at least 16 years old to get a lip piercing. Also, anyone under 18 needs a parent or guardian present with a matching ID.

Can I drink milk with a lip piercing?

Milk is generally fine, but unpasteurized dairy should be avoided while your piercing heals because it can carry bacteria. Pasteurized milk, yogurt, and smoothies are safe choices and even soothing during the first few days of swelling.

Can I drink coffee after a lip piercing?

You can, but wait until the next day and let it cool first. Hot drinks make fresh piercings swell more and sting. Skip the straw for the first week, too, since the suction pulls at the wound.