Common Types of Lip Piercings
A look into Labrets, Madonna and Medusa Style Piercings and More
May 24, 2009
Lip piercings are a common form of body modification, and can be placed in a variety of spots in and around the lips. These piercings usually require between four and six weeks to fully heal properly. Once healed, there is also an extremely large variety of jewelry available for lip piercings, making it an increasingly popular piercing.
Labret Piercing, Vertical Labret Piercing
The labret is by far the most common lip piercing seen today. This piercing can be located anywhere within the lower lip region and still be considered a labret. However, there are also a couple variations of the labret. For example, the vertical labret has similar placement, but instead passes through the tissue vertically and exits through the top of the lower lip — rather than inside the mouth. This allows for both beads to be visible.
Lowbret Piercing, Vertical Lowbret Piercing
The lowbret is still considered to be another variation of the labret. However, this piercing is placed much further down in the facial tissue. The lowbret is located as far down inside the mouth below the outer lip, close to the chin. Another variation of the lowbret is the vertical lowbret, which passes through the tissue and exits through the jawline using a slightly curved piercing.
Common Upper Lip Piercings: the Madonna and the Medusa
Another style of piercing that is growing in popularity is the Madonna. This piercing is located on the upper lip, off to one side or the other. This represents the beauty mark seen on certain celebrities.
Meanwhile, the Medusa piercing is centered on the upper lip. Occasionally, it is referred to as an “up-bret.”
Horizontal Philtrum Piercing
On the more rare side of lip piercings is the horizontal philtrum piercing. This piercing passes through the upper lip, just below the nose. However, it never actually passes through the inner mouth but rather goes horizontally through the upper lip tissue and comes out on either side by the nostrils.
Ashley Piercing
The Ashley piercing is commonly described as an “inverse vertical labret.” This piercing passes through the lower lip, similar to a vertical labret. However, one end of the piercing passes through the top of the lip while the other end exits through the inside of the mouth.
Bites
There are also a variety of “bites” style piercings. The most common of which are known as “snake bites.” Snake bites are simply two labret piercings on either side of the lower lip. A variation of snake bites is known as “angel bites,” or “whiskers,” in which the piercings are located on the upper lip rather than the lower lip.
There are also “cyber bites,” which is a medusa piercing with a vertical labret. Another style of bites is known as “spider bites,” in which two piercings are located on the same side of the lower lip, placed close together. Meanwhile, “viper bites” are similar to spider bites except they are placed slightly further apart on the same side of the lip.
Lastly, there are also “dog bites.” Dog bites are when the wearer has both snake bites and angel bites.
Today, piercings are becoming more and more socially accepted. They are extremely popular with younger generations and have been part of historic world traditions in tribes all across the globe.
