Lip piercing has been known since ancient times, it appeared in African and American tribes. Each puncture on the body meant social status, age, merits and exploits. Today the procedure is used for other purposes: aesthetic, religious, for self-expression. Piercing can have the meaning of protest against a certain culture, belonging to youth subcultures, or imitation of an idol.
Features of lip piercing
Lip piercing is considered relatively safe due to the absence of important vessels, cartilage, and nerve endings. Pain sensations are individual for each patient; if the threshold is low, anesthesia is used. Soreness has a score of 6 out of 10.
Safe piercings are in the middle next to the groove above the upper lip, and piercings above the upper and under the lower lip. The procedures are characterized by minimal pain and no risk of infection. Piercing the frenulum leads to damage to tooth enamel and gums. Lower lip piercing can cause diction problems.
The procedure is contraindicated in:
- herpes;
- AIDS;
- pregnancy and lactation;
- dermatological diseases;
- DIC syndrome;
- diabetes mellitus;
- epilepsy;
- infectious diseases;
- diseases of the hematopoietic system.
Contraindications for piercing
Despite the simplicity of execution, this procedure is not suitable for everyone.
There are a number of contraindications for which lip piercing is not allowed:
- Chronic diseases (diabetes mellitus, kidney failure, hepatitis).
- Poor blood clotting.
- Epilepsy.
- Flu, colds, ARVI, other temporary ailments.
- Increased body temperature.
- Unstable blood pressure.
- Skin diseases (eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis).
- Allergy to metal.
- Herpes.
- PMS.
Also, you should not plan to go to the salon during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. The procedure provokes severe stress, which can negatively affect the course of pregnancy and the amount of milk.
Types of piercings and puncture sites
| View | Peculiarity |
| Monroe | Piercing on the side above the right upper lip, imitation of Marilyn Monroe, who had a mole in this place. |
| Madonna | It is done symmetrically to the left of the above. |
| Dahlia | Symmetrical piercings, left or right above the upper lip. It is rarely used, it is not always possible to achieve perfect symmetry, and it is not suitable for everyone. |
| Snake bite | Paired piercings on the right and left under the lower lip. |
| Jellyfish | Dimple piercing. |
| Shark bite | Two symmetrical piercings under the lower lip. |
| Labret | Single puncture under the bottom. |
| Smile | The frenulum is pierced, the decoration is noticeable only when the person smiles. |
| Ashley | A type of piercing in the middle of the lower lip. |
How does the puncture procedure work?
Preparation for the procedure includes choosing a qualified specialist and a salon. Do not do it at home, there is a risk of bacterial infection, the wound will take much longer to heal. In a professional salon, the procedure will take no more than two minutes.
How the procedure works:
- Tampons are placed under the tongue to reduce salivation.
- Local anesthesia is given (an injection of 2% lidocaine solution).
- Apply an antiseptic: Chlorhexidine Bigluconate or Hydrogen Peroxide.
- The lip is pulled back using a special clamp to ensure symmetry of the pattern.
- The master pricks a needle or catheter and inserts jewelry (it is better to use gold or silver).
- After the procedure, the master must disinfect the puncture site with antiseptics and Miramistin ointment.
Check the sterility of instruments. The needle should be opened in front of the client.
The duration of healing depends on the puncture site, the quality of care after the procedure, and the individual characteristics of the body. In the absence of complications, problem areas heal in 14-30 days.
Frequent complications and negative consequences
The most common healing problems are swelling or suppuration. This can be either a manifestation of the body’s protective reaction or the result of an infection.
The following complications are possible:
- Improper healing of the hole. This problem is common among clients of novice masters and threatens periodic inflammation or suppuration of the puncture site.
- Earring rejection. This occurs due to allergies or choosing a type of piercing that is difficult to heal.
- Damage to tooth enamel from constant wearing of earrings. Due to friction against metal, teeth become sensitive and then gradually break down.
- Damage to taste buds.
If negative reactions occur, you should stop wearing the earrings and consult a specialist.
Caring for a puncture and possible complications
- Daily disinfection of swollen skin with antiseptic and antimicrobial agents externally and internally (Chlorhexidine, Levomekol) after each meal.
- Apply Miramistin ointment to the area.
- Do not use decorative cosmetics.
- Do not remove jewelry.
- If possible, avoid touching the problem area with your hands.
- For a week, do not eat hot or cold food, avoid salty and spicy foods. Include as many vegetables as possible in your diet.
- Take B vitamins as prescribed by your doctor.
- Quit drinking and smoking for at least a week.
- Take care of your skin after healing: avoid injury and damage.
Possible complications:
- The wound may fester and take a long time to heal. This is a common consequence of performing the procedure at home.
- Allergic reactions commonly occur to nickel, which is used as an alloying additive in tool steel (surgical steel for jewelry).
- Formation of keloids and scars.
- Injuries cause swelling and slow healing.
- Rejection by the body.
- Injuries to the teeth, oral cavity, gums (especially important when piercing the frenulum).
- Unsuccessful work of the master: lip piercing when there is no symmetry.
Piercing procedure and aftercare
Among the most common types of piercings among girls, the Monroe piercing is the most popular. This type of body art allows you to add a touch of coquetry and grace to your expression, emphasizing the smooth features of your face and the swelling of your lips.
The puncture is quite simple:
- First, the master treats the hole and tools with an antiseptic.
- After this, a mark is made on the lip - its location is adjusted based on the client’s wishes.
- Then, using surgical forceps, the lip is clamped , and with a quick, confident movement, the needle is inserted along with the catheter, in the place of which the earring is subsequently installed.
This is how almost all types of body art are performed. It doesn’t matter whether the lip piercing is on the side or the bottom – what matters is the experience and professionalism of the master, as well as further manipulations that will allow you to soon enjoy the original decoration on your face.
Interesting: Nose piercing
Piercing Care
How to care for a lip piercing? This question arises almost immediately after completing the procedure. It should immediately be noted that piercing in the Monroe style, the photo of which eloquently demonstrates its grace, or any other type of body art is performed in just a few minutes. After the procedure, it is highly undesirable to eat or drink alcohol for 4 hours. You should also avoid smoking for the next few hours after the puncture.
Does it hurt to get your lip pierced? Not really. On the pain scale, piercings in the “Dahlia” or “Madonna” style can be rated 6 points out of a possible 10.
In the first 72 hours, there may be slight bleeding in the puncture area, swelling of the lip and soreness. Immediately complete healing of the wound will occur within 1-2 months. At this time it is advisable:
- Drink B vitamins;
- Adhere to a special diet - lean on soups and cereals, give up spicy, sour and salty foods (you will understand why when you try to eat a lemon immediately after the puncture). You should also avoid drinking too hot or cold drinks.
- You should not remove the jewelry before the wound has completely healed.
- You should not touch your lips with dirty hands until it becomes clear that the puncture site has completely healed.
If you follow all the above recommendations and there are no medical indicators, you can safely go to the salon to get an original Monroe-style piercing.
The consequences of this procedure are extremely rare when it comes to the professional work of a master. The only thing to be wary of is damage to the enamel if the earring is placed close to the surface of the teeth.
Rules for choosing an earring
The choice of earrings is made depending on the type of piercing and material of manufacture.
| Decoration | Characteristic | What types of piercings are used for? |
| Labret | Depending on the location of the piercing, a horizontal and vertical labret is used, which is a titanium rod with balls at the ends. | Piercings above the upper lip: Monroe, Madonna, Medusa. |
| Barbell | Half labret, half shaft with ball. | Bridle. |
| Ring | A metal gold rod with ends closed in a circle. | Bridle. |
| Horseshoe | Half a circle with arrows at the ends. | Bridle. |
| Twist | Reduced spiral. | Piercing under the lower lip. |
| Circular | Earrings are similar to rings, the difference is that circulars have threaded connections at the ends. | Bottom. |
| Segment ring | Rings that are divided into segments. | In the mouth. |
Material of manufacture
- gold (fineness from 585), surgical titanium, hypoallergenic plastic - used immediately after the puncture;
- surgical stainless steel;
- silver;
- niobium;
- zircon;
- Teflon;
- titanium.
Piercing is an informal decoration. Employers often set a dress code as one of their hiring requirements, into which such attributes do not fit. Fake clothes will help you try yourself in a new style.
Lip piercing jewelry
measuring 1.6x10/12 mm are suitable for the initial healing of lip piercings
Jewelry for lip piercing must have a margin of length for swelling after the piercing , and in no case should it press or be butted. Rings or circular rings can be inserted into the puncture after at least 3 months. We recommend using PTFE material for a vertical labret puncture ; it is softer than titanium, and healing is much better with it. You can replace it with a titanium banana after 1-3 months. We strongly advise against placing jewelry made of gold, silver or surgical (medical) steel ; they contain nickel, which, while in the body, begins to oxidize, which causes a lot of unpleasant moments, so choose jewelry made of titanium , it is one of the most hypoallergenic metals. If you are just thinking about this piercing, but have not yet decided, there is a lip piercing, this is a good option to try on the jewelry and see whether you like this piercing option or not.
Lip piercing prices
| Piercing | Price |
| Monroe puncture | 1000P |
| Jellyfish puncture | 1000P |
| Labret puncture | 1000P |
- Monroe - upper lip piercing. Marilyn Monroe had this type of fly.
- Medusa - the puncture is carried out in the groove above the lip.
- Dahlia - two punctures located symmetrically in the corners.
- Labret is a lower lip piercing in which the jewelry is installed in the center.
- Vertical labret - a needle is used to pierce the lower border of the lip with an exit in the center or slightly higher on the lower lip.
Types of piercing
Labret
The puncture is made in the middle of the lower lip, at the level of the teeth. To ensure that the earring touches the tooth enamel less and does not wear it off, a labret is used - a decoration with a flat cap called a “labret”. Hence the name of the piercing
