September 03, 2024

What Is a Labret Piercing? Types, Pain, Cost, Healing, Jewelry, Sizes, and Aftercare

Fast Facts

Placement: Located just below the lip.
Cost: $30-$80.
Pain: A low pain level. It is rated at 4 on a scale of 1-10.
Healing time: 6-8 weeks.
Jewelry: Studs, hoops, barbells.
Risks: Scars, infections, tooth, gum and nerve damage.

Labret piercings are an extremely popular type of lip piercing that can accommodate many different types of jewelry. It’s common among piercing enthusiasts but does have its own unique pros and cons to consider.

What Is a Labret Piercing?

A labret piercing is a single piercing located just below the lip. You may also hear it referred to simply as a “labret.” It gets its name from the Latin word Labrum, which means lip. There are different variations of the labret piercing, explained further below.

Labret Piercing Types

Types of labret piercings differ based on their location below the lip. Ultimately, you can get a labret anywhere below your lip, as centered or off to the side as you’d like. When choosing a specific labret type, consider vertical, horizontal, side, and double labret piercings.

Image: Underground Tattoos Watford.

Variant 1. Vertical Labret Piercing

A vertical labret piercing is a vertical bar that goes through the middle of your bottom lip. One end is at the middle of your bottom lip and the other is in the area below your bottom lip. Usually, people will get balls, spikes, or gemstones on either end of the bar.

Variant 2. Horizontal Labret Piercing

A horizontal labret piercing is a horizontal bar through the middle of your bottom lip. This take on the labret piercing also usually features two metal balls, spikes, or other accents on either end of the bar.

Variant 3. Side Labret Lip Piercing

A side labret piercing is a single stud piercing located below the bottom lip, off to the right or the left side. In other words, it’s a stud below the left or right corner of your lip. This is perhaps one of the most popular placements for the labret and can be combined with other piercings for an edgier look.

Variant 4. Double Labret Piercing

A double labret piercing is essentially two side labret piercings. There is a stud below the right side of your lips and a stud below the left side of your lips. However, you can choose to have them positioned closer together or further apart. As a double piercing, this requires two pieces of jewelry.

Labret Piercing Pain

Does a labret piercing hurt? Labret piercing pain usually falls at a 4 on a pain scale of 1 to 10 with 1 being very little pain and 10 being immense pain. If you have an ear or nose piercing, it will likely be more painful because of its location. The area around your mouth is more sensitive because of the many nerve endings.

However, your actual pain level will vary based on your pain tolerance. Go to an experienced lip piercer to ensure the piercing is done quickly and cleanly to avoid any unnecessary discomfort.

Labret Piercing Healing

Labret piercings typically take around 6-8 weeks to heal. However, it’s advised you wait six months before changing your jewelry to ensure it’s completely healed. During this time eat foods that are soft, avoiding hard, crunchy, and spicy products.

Right after you get pierced, you may experience redness and swelling at the piercing site. Pain, discomfort, redness, and swelling should go down over the next few weeks with no blood or discharge. When the piercing is fully healed it will not hurt, won’t have any discharge, will feel comfortable, and will move freely.

How Much Is a Labret Piercing?

The labret piercing itself usually costs around $35. However, prices will vary based on your piercer. This cost does not include the price of jewelry, which typically starts at $40. So in full, you may spend around $75 or more for a labret piercing and jewelry.

Labret Piercing Jewelry

Labret piercings allow for many different jewelry types, allowing you to express your own unique style. Keep in mind: Vertical and horizontal labret piercings will require something different than traditional labret piercings.

Types of Labret Piercing Jewelry

Different types of labret jewelry to consider are:

1. Labret Piercing Studs

Flat back labret stud with a ball titanium $18.9, SHOP NOW.

The most common type of labret jewelry is a flat-back stud. This is a type of stud earring that features a flat disk on one side. The jewelry goes in through the inside of your lip until the disk is flush against the back of your lip. Then, a piece is screwed onto the front. This piece is usually a metal ball, spike, diamond, or other accent.

2. Labret Piercing Hoops

Piercing hoop 6mm 8mm 10 mm simple and minimalist $15.9, SHOP NOW.

This type of jewelry will go completely around your bottom lip. You can explore different metal colors, different gauges, and hoops with accents. Consider a seamless hoop that is a clean, simple loop, or a captive bead ring that features a ball in the center.

3. Horseshoe Barbells (Circular Barbells)

Titanium ring horseshoe barbell $17.9, SHOP NOW.

A horseshoe barbell is an open circle, like a horseshoe. There are usually balls, spikes, or other accents on either end, with a screw-on closure to keep the jewelry in place.

4. Curved Barbells (Banana Barbells)

Curved barbell piercing ASTM F136 implant-grade titanium internally threaded $16.9, SHOP NOW.

Curved barbells are used for vertical and horizontal piercings. A vertical piercing could be just a straight bar, or, it could have a slight curve to it. Horizontal labret piercings will need a curved barbell to ensure it comes in and out of your lip in a way that’s comfortable and won’t pull the skin. Both types usually have a double screw to keep the bar in place.

Labret Piercing Size

When getting a labret piercing, you’ll need to find the right gauge, length, and diameter of jewelry.

Gauge: Labret jewelry is usually 14 gauge (1.6mm) or 16 gauge (1.2mm). Some people may opt for 18 gauge (1.0mm), especially when going for a seamless hoop. However, 14g and 16g are the most popular with the largest variety of jewelry options.
Length: The length of labret jewelry that’s right for you will be based on the thickness of your lip. It will need to be long enough to avoid tugging and pinching, but short enough to stay in place. Common lengths are 1/4" (6mm), 5/16" (8mm), and 3/8" (10mm).
Diameter: Labret hoop diameters will also vary based on the size and thickness of your lip. 5/16" (8mm), 3/8" (10mm) and 1/2" (12mm) are the most common sizes, though your piercer might recommend something bigger or smaller once they measure your lip.

Recommended Materials

Labret lip piercing jewelry comes in many different materials, including:

Implant-grade titanium: Implant-grade titanium is a great option because it’s lightweight, nickel-free, and won’t tarnish. This may help you avoid an allergic reaction and the need to frequently change out the jewelry. This metal is also used in the medical field for things like joint replacements and bone pins.
14K Gold: Gold offers an elegant look and is a durable material, though yellow gold is often more hypoallergenic, and white gold can be more durable because it has nickel and other metal alloys.
Surgical stainless steel: A hard, affordable metal that won’t tarnish and is extremely durable but may cause allergic reactions in some people with trace amounts of nickel.
Bioflex plastic: Flexible jewelry made from renewable materials that are metal-free and can come in different colors.

Some of the safest options include implant-grade titanium and surgical-grade stainless steel. Bioflex plastic may also be a good option if you want something flexible and non-metal. Plus, they come in many different colors.

Other types of materials could lead to allergic reactions or irritations to the sensitive skin of your face. For example, gold-plated steel could be problematic for some people with sensitive skin.

Labret Piercing Pros and Cons

There are both pros and cons to think about before getting a labret piercing.

Potential pros include:

They are unique piercings that can make you stand out.
They offer many different types of jewelry.
There are different placements you can choose from.
They go well with other types of lip piercings.

Potential cons include:

They can be more painful.
They may make it difficult to eat, talk, drink, and more.
They can be more prone to infection.
They can take a while to fully heal.

Labret Piercing Risks

Before getting a labret piercing, you should consider the following risks:

Infected labret piercing: Based on the labret’s location, it’s more susceptible to infection from the germs and bacteria in your mouth. If it gets infected, you may need to remove it and let it seal.
Labret piercing scar: Labret piercing scars can happen when you take your jewelry out and allow the piercing to close. There could be an area of thick, raised skin, larger when caused by an infection.
Oral complications: Lip jewelry rubs on your gums and teeth, putting you at risk of tooth and gum damage, including gingivitis.
Nerve damage: There are many of nerves in your face, including around your mouth. Piercing this area can affect your nerves, affecting the movement of your face and introducing pain, especially behind the eyes.

If you have any signs of infection, oral problems, or other health concerns, you should talk with your piercer and a health care professional as soon as possible.

Labret Piercing Aftercare

Opt for soft foods that aren’t overly spicy or acidic.
Chew very carefully to avoid biting your lip jewelry.
Avoid strenuous activities with your mouth until your piercings are fully healed.
Avoid mouthwash with alcohol.
Take care to avoid contaminating the piercing.
Avoid touching it or applying makeup very close to it.
Avoid getting in the water that might be dirty.
Clean your piercing twice per day using a saline solution made for wound cleaning or soap and water to prevent infection.
Avoid ointments as they prevent necessary air circulation.
And of course, make sure to avoid snagging on clothes or towels.
Wear loose clothing. Avoid wearing tight clothing or clothing that may rub against the piercing, as this can cause irritation and slow down the healing process.
Use hypoallergenic jewelry like implant-grade titanium and 14- or 18-karat gold. Surgical-grade steel may contain small amounts of nickel that could cause allergic reactions.
Don't move the piercing unless you're cleaning it. Pulling on a piercing early in healing is painful, but it also can get in the way of healing or damage the piercing itself.
Wait until your piercing heals before changing out your jewelry.
Watch for potential signs of infection and consult your piercer or doctor if it becomes infected.

Cleaning

It is recommended to use sterile saline that you buy from the store, rather than homemade saline, for cleaning your piercings. Homemade saline may be too salty for delicate piercing sites, leading to dryness and delayed healing.
Using mild, fragrance-free soap and water to clean your piercing site is also an option.
If you prefer homemade salt solution. You can start by mixing 1/2 teaspoon of non-iodized salt with one cup of distilled or boiled (for at least 20 minutes) water. You may choose to use less of the salt mixture like 1/4 to 1/8 teaspoon if you want a weaker solution that’s less likely to burn or sting. Stir the solution until it dissolves.
If you see signs of infection, you can also use antiseptic solutions, such as betadine, isopropyl alcohol, or diluted hydrogen peroxide. However, avoid using them for daily cleaning as they can damage cells.
Soak a cotton ball in the solution and dab it around the piercing site. Don't remove the jewelry!
Take clean gauze or tissue and pat the area dry.

Your piercer should give you detailed instructions on how to keep your piercing clean once it has been placed.

Conclusion

Labret piercings can be a fun, unique type of piercing to add to your body. Before getting this piercing, check out different variations and consider what type of jewelry you’d like. And, be sure to work through all of the pros and cons to understand the possible risks.