Frequently Asked Questions About Lip Piercings

So, if you're thinking about getting a lip piercing or trying something bold like a jestrum or canine bite piercing, we've got you covered. No matter which lip piercing you choose, you're bound to have some questions, and that's totally cool. Here is a list of answers to keep you informed. 

How many types of Lip piercing are there?

Precisely 16 different lip piercings to choose from: Monroe, Madonna, Medusa, Jestrum, Labret, Side Labret, Vertical labret, Ashley, shark bites, Angel bites, cyber bites, snake bites, spider bites, dolphin bites, canine bites, dahlia and horizontal lip piercing.

How much does lip piercing hurt?

Lip piercing hurts slightly, but it depends on a person's tolerance level; some people feel less pain, while some feel more. Generally, you can have sharp or throbbing pain or pinch as the needle passes through the lip. However, you can feel more pain if you opt for Ashley or Jestrum piercing.

How does a piercer pierce the lips?

Your piercer first ensures everything is hygienic and starts with marking your piercing site using a skin-safe marker; after that, your piercer will hold the piercing area using a surgical clamp and create a perforation using a hollow needle. The last step will be adding jewellery to it.

How to take care of lip piercing?

Lip piercing needs a lot of care as it is a sensitive area; thus, to have a good experience with it, make sure to follow a proper aftercare routine.

• Wash the area with clean saline solution from inside and outside.
• Do floss once and brush twice a day to maintain oral hygiene.
• If you catch "crusties' (dried lymph fluid), clean it with saline solution, and don't twist the jewellery in this condition.
• Don't remove the jewellery until it heals completely.
• Avoid alcoholic beverages or spicy food as they can irritate the piercing.

How to pick lip piercing jewellery?

Jewellery that is made up of good quality metal is better for initial piercing. Moreover, make sure the jewellery you choose does not have nickel in it, as it is the primary culprit in an allergic reaction.

What are the risks and complications of lip piercing?

The most common risks and complications that can occur are:

Infection: This can happen when you have poor hygiene, as a variety of bacteria can enter the mouth. The symptoms include severe swelling, fever, chills and red streaks in the piercing area.

Nerve Damage: As lips carry various nerves that can be damaged if the piercer does not place the jewellery properly, it is recommended to look for a professional piercer.

Increased Saliva: Your salivary glands might produce more saliva than usual because as the foreign object is inserted in your mouth, the body instantly reacts, resulting in increased saliva.

 How much time does healing take?

The healing time depends on your piercing type and the aftercare you follow. Generally, lip piercing takes 2 to 4 months to heal. It can even take longer if you fail to take care of it.

Does lip piercing affect eating or speech?

There are some lip piercings that can get affected, especially those which are closed mouth or on the lips. 

So, it is recommended to chew slowly at the start, check if the post of the piercing does not get disturbed and rinse your mouth after eating food. Once you get used to the piercing, you will eat in comfort.

As far as speech is concerned, you might have trouble speaking initially as you have to move your lips when you talk or smile. But stay calm and don't panic as it heals; everything gets normal.

Does lip piercing damage teeth?

Generally, the answer is No, but it can damage teeth. If the piercing is large, it can constantly rub against it, or you might accidentally bite the post of the piercing, which may lead to cracking or chipping of a tooth. It can happen in the first few weeks of your initial piercing as you are still in the process of adjusting the hole.

How to stylize lip piercing?

You can choose from a variety of jewellery to style up your lips. The recommended jewellery for starter piercing is Labret studs, as they give you an elegant, minimal look. Moreover, there are captive bead rings and seamless or segment rings that give your lips a more eye-catching look. But you can go from studs to these rings as soon as your piercing completely healed.