Lip piercings are one of the most popular areas to get pierced because they are a great versatile way to give your look an alternative body mod edge without going to extremes!

With so many different lip piercings available, there is something for every piercing fan whether you’re looking for a single understated Labret or a more eye-catching set of Snake Bites, in this blog you will find loads of ideas to tempt you under the needle!

Another reason why oral piercings are so popular is because they are relatively easy to care for and generally heal well if the correct aftercare procedure is followed. For all lip piercings, it is very important to follow the Oral Aftercare advice to ensure a smooth healing process and minimal irritation. So click here to read our Oral Aftercare guide before you decide on a lip piercing.

Whenever you’re looking for a new piercing it’s important to consider everything, so here are a few useful links to get you started:

There are also a bunch of helpful lip piercing FAQs at the the end of this article!

Love the look of pierced lips but not sure what lip piercing to get? Here is a list of the different types of lip piercings and a little information about each one:

Snake Bites

About: Snake Bite piercings are one of the most popular types of lip piercings we do at Blue Banana. With lead singer of Bring Me The Horizon, Oli Sykes even having sported these awesome mods, it’s not surprising that so many people are just dying to get some snakey style. These piercings are spaced evenly on either side of the lower lip.

Jewellery: These piercings look best when worn with either BCR‘s or Labret studs.

Healing Time: Snakebites usually heal in around 6-8 weeks but they may each heal at a slightly different rate so make sure they are both fully healed before attempting to change jewellery. Snakebites require standard Oral Piercing Aftercare. It can sometimes take up to 6 months to completely heal internally so it is a good idea to be quite careful with your new lip piercing until then.

Labret/Side Lip

About: A very popular piercing, the Labret piercing consists of a single Labret stud or BCR placed in the middle of the lower lip and the side lip piercing is either a labret stud or a ring on one side of the lower lip. This understated lip piercing is great for anyone who wants a body mod that will go with any look.

Jewellery: Labret piercings and Side Lip piercings are both worn with either a Labret stud or a BCR.

Healing Time: Labret & Side Lip piercings usually heal within around 6-8 weeks, provided the correct Oral Piercing Aftercare has been followed. It can sometimes take up to 6 months to completely heal internally so it is a good idea to be quite careful with your new lip piercing until then.

Jestrum

About: A more unusual lip piercing, the Jestrum piercing (Also known as a vertical Medusa) goes through the upper lip in the centre and comes through the fleshy part of the lip, meaning you can see both ends of the curved barbell. This unique lip piercing is perfect for someone wanting to make an individual statement with their body jewellery.

Jewellery: Jestrum piercings are worn with a curved barbell and both ends will be visible.

Healing Time: Jestrum piercings should heal between 3-4 months providing the correct Oral Piercing Aftercare advice is followed. This lip piercing may heal slightly slower than a regular Labret or Medusa piercing because of the distance between the entry and exit holes which means there is a larger area that needs to heal. It can sometimes take up to 6 months to completely heal internally so it is a good idea to be quite careful with your new lip piercing until then.

Monroe

About: Inspired by the Hollywood icon Marilyn Monroe, this feminine lip piercing is placed on the upper left hand side of the lip, to simulate Marilyn’s famous beauty spot.

Jewellery: This piercing is worn with a single Labret stud, often with a jewelled ball.

Healing Time: Provided the correct Oral Piercing Aftercare is followed, a Monroe piercing should heal in around 8 to 1. weeks. It can sometimes take up to 6 months to completely heal internally so it is a good idea to be quite careful with your new lip piercing until then.

Medusa

About: The Medusa piercing is placed directly through the centre of the upper lip. The placement of this piercing is very important because if it is not central it will throw off the symmetry of the face and may not look as attractive as it should. Make sure your piercing is done by a trained individual and don’t be afraid to ask to see the placement of the marker before the piercing actually takes place.

Jewellery: Medusa piercings look best when worn with a ring or a Labret stud.

Healing Time: Most Medusa piercings heal within 6-1. weeks as long as the Oral Piercing Aftercare advice is followed correctly. Although it can sometimes take up to 6 months to completely heal internally so it is a good idea to be quite careful with your new lip piercing until then.

Spider Bites

About: Much like a side lip piercing, only doubled! This cool looking piercing consists of two holes placed close together on one side of the lower lip. Depending on your personal anatomy, there should not be very much space in between the two piercings as this would make them Viper Bites (see below). These piercings are usually done one at a time and it is advised to let one heal before having the other done.

Jewellery: Spider bites look best worn with BCR rings or Labret studs finished with balls or spikes.

Healing Time: Just like any lower lip piercing, these should heal within 6-8 weeks if the correct Oral Piercing Aftercare advice is followed. It is strongly advised that you have these two piercings done at separate times, giving one the chance to fully heal before having the other piercing done. This will lower the risk of any delayed healing or prolonged irritation and help for a much smoother healing process. It can sometimes take up to 6 months to completely heal internally so it is a good idea to be quite careful with your new lip piercing until then.

Angel Bites

About: The Angel Bites piercing refers to two piercings on either side of the upper lip. This lip piercing is a popular choice among body mod fans and makes for an eye-catching look!

Jewellery: This piercing is primarily designed to be worn with Labret studs, however it would be possible to try rings if the piercing position and your anatomy permits.

Healing Time: This piercing will take around 2-3 months to heal as long as the Oral Piercing Aftercare advice is followed correctly. It may be advisable to have one piercing done at a time, giving the first one a chance to heal before having the second one; this should make the healing process much smoother. It can sometimes take up to 6 months to completely heal internally so it is a good idea to be quite careful with your new lip piercing until then.

Ashley

About: One of the most on-trend lip piercings right now is the Ashley piercing. This interesting piercing goes through the fleshy part of the lip and exits at the back, meaning the only part of the piercing that’s visible is the ball in the lip. This piercing depends highly on the anatomy of the person being pierced as if the lips are thin, the jewellery may cause a visible bump or protrusion at the top of the lip which could ruin the look of the piercing; for this piercing the bigger the lips are the better! It is also important to consider that with this piercing there is a slightly higher risk of damage to the teeth because the placement of the back sits in front of the lower teeth.

Jewellery: This piercing is worn with either a straight Labret stud or a curved barbell, depending on the position of the piercing.

Healing Time: Ashley piercings should heal between 3-4 months providing the correct Oral Piercing Aftercare advice is followed. This lip piercing may heal slightly slower than a regular Labret piercing because of the distance between the entry and exit holes which means there is a larger area that needs to heal. It can sometimes take up to 6 months to completely heal internally so it is a good idea to be quite careful with your new lip piercing until then.

Angel Kiss

About: The Angel Kiss piercing is a lower lip version of the Jestrum, meaning that both balls are visible with one exiting the fleshy pink part of the lip and one exiting just underneath. This piercing is slightly more unusual than a traditional Labret piercing and is perfect for body mod fans who want to experiment.

Jewellery: This piercing is worn with a curved barbell.

Healing Time: Angel Kiss piercings should heal between 3-4 months providing the correct Oral Piercing Aftercare advice is followed. This lip piercing may heal slightly slower than a regular Labret piercing because of the distance between the entry and exit holes which means there is a larger area that needs to heal. It can sometimes take up to 6 months to completely heal internally so it is a good idea to be quite careful with your new lip piercing until then.

Dahlia

About: Definitely one of the more extreme lip piercings, Dahlia piercings are a great way to create an eye-catching modified smile! Sometimes referred to as ‘Joker Piercings’ due to the illusion of extending the smile, these piercings are placed close to the corners of your mouth. Depending on your anatomy, they may vary in just how close to the lips they can be placed. Because this piercing is performed near the edge of the lips, there is always a risk that it may migrate and ‘grow out’, so this must be taken into consideration before deciding on your Dahlia piercings.

Jewellery: The Dahlia piercing is mainly worn with Labret studs, but you can also wear them with rings that thread through the mouth for an even more alternative smile.

Healing Time: Dahlia Piercings should usually heal within around 1. to 2. weeks provided that the correct Oral Piercing Aftercare** advice is followed. It can sometimes take up to 6 months to completely heal** internally so it is a good idea to be quite careful with your new lip piercing until then.

Cyber Bites

About: One of our piercings that’s continually growing in popularity is the Cyber bites piercing which consists of a Labret piercing on the central lower lip and a Medusa piercing in the centre of the upper lip. These piercings create an awesome effect but it is very important to make sure that they are both aligned correctly to ensure a symmetrical finish. It is often recommended that you have these piercings done one at a time and give the first piercing time to heal, this should result in a much smoother over-all healing process. Whilst it might be tempting to have all of your piercings done at once, please not that this can actually delay the healing time and make the process much more uncomfortable.

Jewellery: Cyber Bites piercings can be worn with Labret studs or BCR rings, these piercings are often worn with matching jewellery in both the upper and lower lip, but looks equally as cool with a stud in the top and a ring in the bottom or vice versa!

Healing Time: Cyber Bites piercings will heal at different rates, you may find the lower lip (Labret) piercing heals in around 6-8 weeks, however the upper lip piercing (Medusa) can actually take around 1. weeks due to the upper lip being thicker to pierce and that there is more movement in that area of your face during healing. Make sure you follow the Oral Piercing Aftercare advice. It can sometimes take up to 6 months to completely heal internally so it is a good idea to be quite careful with your new lip piercing until then.

Canine Bites

About: Canine Bites consist of four piercings in total, one on either side of the lower lip and one on either side of the upper lip, so it is the same as having Snake Bites and Angel Bites at the same time. Because there are four separate piercing holes, it is usually performed in separate stages with the customer having maybe one piercing at a time or having their Snake Bites piercings done first and the Angel Bites added later. Whilst it might be tempting to have all of your piercings done at once, please not that this can actually delay the healing time and make the process much more uncomfortable.

Jewellery: Canine Bites can be worn with Labret studs and BCRs. The cool thing about this piercing is that it is so versatile, giving you the option to wear different jewellery in the bottom and top. A lot of people with Snake Bites choose to wear rings in the bottom and studs in the top for a wicked alternative look.

Healing Time: Because of the nature of the Canine Piercings, there are four individual piercings which have different healing rates. Providing the correct Oral Piercing Aftercare advice is followed, the piercings on the lower lip will usually heal in around 6-8 weeks and the upper lip piercings may take more like 1. weeks. It can sometimes take up to 6 months to completely heal internally so it is a good idea to be quite careful with your new lip piercing until then.

Dolphin Bites

About: These lip piercings are less common and perfect for those looking for a more unique body modification. Dolphin Bites refer to two Labret piercings that are placed in the lower lip much closer together than Snake Bites. These piercings can be done close to the lip or lower down at the bottom part of the lip towards the chin.

Jewellery: Dolphin Bite piercings are worn with Labret studs, as they are usually too low down for a ring to be able to pass over the lip and through the mouth.

Healing Time: As long as the correct Oral Piercing Aftercare advice is followed, Dolphin Bites usually heal in around 6-8 weeks but this could vary based on your anatomy and how low or high the piercing is positioned. It can sometimes take up to 6 months to completely heal internally so it is a good idea to be quite careful with your new lip piercing until then.

Viper Bites

About: Viper bites are very similar to Spider Bites, with the two piercings being placed further apart in the lower lip. The space between the two piercings can vary and you should discuss the placement with your piercer before having it done. This stylish piercing looks awesome and is perfect for individuals who like to wear studs in their lip piercings.

Jewellery: Viper Bites piercings look best when worn with Labret studs or BCRs. You can even try mixing and matching and wearing different jewellery in each of the individual piercings.

Healing Time: Much like other lower lip piercings, the Viper Bites should heal in around 6-8 weeks, providing you follow the Oral Piercing Aftercare instructions. These piercings are usually done at two separate intervals, giving the first piercing the time to heal in between, which will allow for a smoother healing process. It can sometimes take up to 6 months to completely heal internally so it is a good idea to be quite careful with your new lip piercing until then.

Shark Bites

About: The Shark Bites piercing consists of four individual piercings, all placed on the lower lip, in the style of two sets of Spider Bites. These piercings are instantly noticeable and create a great eye-catching look for the wearer. Not for the faint of heart, there will be four pieces of jewellery in the lower lip so it is important to consider the possible damage to teeth and slightly higher risk of having delayed healing. With the proper aftercare and by going to a professional piercer you should be able to enjoy this body modification without any problems!

Because there are four piercings to be done, Shark Bites are usually done at two or four separate appointments, depending on what the customer and piercer are happy with. Whilst it might be tempting to have all of your piercings done at once, please not that this can actually delay the healing time and make the process much more uncomfortable.

Jewellery: Just like Spider Bites or Snake Bites, you can wear this piercing with BCRs or Labret studs, whatever takes your fancy! You can even mix it up and try experimenting with different jewellery types at the same time!

Healing Time: Shark Bites should heal within 6-8 weeks as long as you follow the Oral Piercing Aftercare advice, however it is not uncommon for each individual piercing to heal at a slightly different rate so don’t be alarmed if one or two of your Shark Bite piercings take a little longer to heal. It may take up to 6 months to completely heal internally so it is a good idea to be careful with your new piercing during this time.

T Rex Bites

About: The last piercing on our list is definitely the most extreme. The T Rex Bites consist of eight individual lip piercings in total, two sets of Angel Bites on the upper lip and two sets of Snake Bites on the lower lip. This eye-catching lip piercing is designed for body mod fans that like their jewellery to stand out. The great thing about having T Rex piercings is being able to wear a selection of different jewellery in each hole!

Because there are eight piercings to be done, T Rex Bites are usually done at four or eight separate appointments, depending on what the customer and piercer are happy with. Whilst it might be tempting to have all of your piercings done at once, please not that this can actually delay the healing time and make the process much more uncomfortable.

Jewellery: T Rex Bites can be worn with either Labret studs or BCRs, or a mixture of both!

Healing Time: Because this piercing is done in stages, there will be various healing times for each individual hole and it is important to make sure one has healed before going for another. The lower lip piercings will take around 6-8 weeks to heal and the upper lip piercings will take around 1. weeks to heal, providing all appropriate Oral Piercing Aftercare is followed. It may take up to 6 months for each piercing to fully heal internally so it is a good idea to be very careful with your piercings in this time. The healing of T Rex Bites obviously takes longer and carries more risk than any of the other lip piercings simply because there are so many holes that need to heal.

Lip Piercing FAQS:

Q. What kind of jewellery suits lip piercings?

A. The kind of jewellery to suit your piercing will depend on which type of lip piercing you have. The majority of lip piercings use either BCRs (rings), Labret studs or curved barbells.

*Q. **How old do I have to be to get my lip pierced?*

A. Most lip piercings can be done at 1. years old with some exceptions requiring you to be 1. years old. Please refer to our Age Restrictions for more information. You will need to provide photographic ID in order to have your piercing done at any of our piercing studios.

Q. Can I have any lip piercing I want?

A. Unfortunately not every individual is a candidate for every piercing. Your body’s anatomy may restrict you from being able to have the exact piercing or positioning that you desire. (For example, some people are unable to have a tongue piercing because of the placement of veins in the tongue.) 

Rest assured that all of our piercers are trained professionals and will be able to advise you best on where to have your piercing or where it will work in terms of your anatomy, so feel free to pop in and chat to one of them before your actual piercing appointment.

Q. Where can I get my lip pierced?

A. Lip piercings are available at any of our piercing studios, use our studio locator to find your nearest one.

Q. Do I need to make an appointment to have my lip pierced at Blue Banana?

A. Appointments are not usually necessary to have a piercing at our studios so you can just pop into store whenever you’re ready; you may be asked to come back after a short while if the store is busy or you may need to wait for the piercer to see you.

If you are in a rush or are concerned about wait times, you are welcome to call the store ahead of time and discuss it with them.

Q. Do lip piercings scar?

A. Unfortunately, much like any piercing, if you decide to remove your lip piercing for whatever reason there is a large chance that you may be left with a small mark or scar. This should not be overly noticeable and will fade over time, but it is something you must consider before getting your piercing.

Q. Do lip piercings heal over if you take the jewellery out?

A. Like many piercings, if you do not wear any jewellery in your lip piercing for a prolonged period of time, particularly in the early stages of having the piercing, the hole may close over to the point where you are unable to get jewellery into it. A small impression of the hole will remain, however you may struggle to reopen the hole without having it re pierced. If you have recently had your lip piercing done, it may be at risk of closing over in a matter of days/hours, so if you want to keep your lip piercing in we recommend that you always wear some form of jewellery.

Q. What do I do if I think my lip piercing is infected?

A. Like any piercing, if you think there is a problem with the healing process, please do not delay in visiting one of our piercers to diagnose the situation and help you. Piercings occasionally do become irritated or infected but this is usually easily remedied with suitable aftercare treatment such as salt water soaks or, in more serious cases, tea tree oil.

Q. How can I hide my lip piercing from parents or teachers?

A. The answer to this is simply that you can’t! It may be frustrating to accept that you cannot have a lip piercing due to school/work commitments, however there really is no reliable way to hide a piercing.

If you are trying to disguise or hide your piercing by removing it or applying make up etc., you are actually at risk of causing damage or trauma to the piercing which could result in infection or scarring. Many people who do have piercings against the wishes of their school/college/job end up having to remove their piercings completely after having paid for and gone through the piercing experience.

That said, if you are looking for a way to make your piercing a little less noticeable day-to-day, you can always swap the regular titanium jewellery for a clear acrylic option, which is much less eye-catching.

Get Lippy At Blue Banana!

So that’s about all you really need to know regarding lip piercings guys and girls! If you’d like to see some luscious looking lip piercings in action, check out this Buzzfeed Article or head over to our Blue Banana Lip & Tongue Piercings Pinterest Board for even more lippy inspiration!

Don’t forget, one of the best bits about a piercing is being able to customise it with whatever jewellery you like! So take a cheeky browse at our Lip Piercing Jewellery to find the perfect ring/stud or barbell for you.

If you’ve just had a lip piercing done, or even if you’ve had them for ages, share a Selfie with us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram with the tag #BBLIPP

Article Disclaimer: For more information, please view our article guides terms and conditions page.