Lip piercings are some of the most commonly requested facial piercings these days, and for good reason! Lip piercings draw attention to the mouth, and many people—especially fans of body modifications—find them very attractive and sexy.
Piercings right through the top or bottom lips are the most common types of lip piercings. However, other types of lip piercings, such as piercings at the sides of the mouth and vertically through the lips are becoming more and more common. Depending on the types of lip piercings done, studs, rings, or cured barbells can be used as jewelry.
Lip piercings are particularly popular among women. However, they are not solely a “woman’s piercing”. Certain types of lip piercings are becoming increasingly popular among men as well.
If you’re considering a facial piercing and want to know what types of lip piercings are available, look no further! Here are 14 of the most common types of lip piercings right in one handy dandy list!
1. Labret Piercing
Technically, a labret piercing is any type of piercing that goes through the bottom lip. However, when piercers and piercing enthusiasts talk about labret piercings, this classic centered lower lip piercing is usually what they’re referring to.
2. Vertical Labret Piercing
The vertical labret piercing is positioned in the center of the lower lip as well. However, instead of passing right through the lip, these types of lip piercings pass up through the lip tissue vertically and both ends of the stud are visible.
3. Medusa Piercing
A Medusa piercing is one of the types of lip piercings through the upper lip. This piercing passes through the indent in the upper lip directly below the nose, known as the philtrum.
4. Jestrum Piercing
Also known as a vertical Medusa piercing, a jestrum piercing passes vertically down through the philtrum and exits out through the surface of the upper lip.
5. Cyber Bites Piercing
Combine a labret piercing with a Medusa piercing for a cyber bites lip piercing.
6. Monroe Lip Piercing
One of the most popular types of lip piercings among women is the Monroe piercing. This piercing is placed through the left side of the upper lip, right about in the same spot as Marilyn Monroe’s famous birthmark.
7. Madonna Lip Piercing
A Madonna lip piercing is similar to a Monroe lip piercing, except for the side of the face it’s on. Madonna lip piercings are placed on the right side of the upper lip.
8. Angel Bites Lip Piercings
When the two types of piercings above—the Monroe piercing and the Madonna piercing—are together, it is referred to as an angel bites piercing.
9. Snakebite Lip Piercing
Two piercings just below the outer edge of the lower lip are referred to as snakebite piercings.
10. Canine Bites Lip Piercings
A set of angel bites and snakebite lip piercings requires four piercings in all—two above each side of the upper lip and two below each side of the lower lip. Combining these two sets of lip piercings is referred to as canine bites piercings.
11. Spider Bites Piercings
Two piercings placed close together but to one side of the lip are referred to as spider bite piercings. These can be on either side of the lip and are usually on the bottom lip, although spider bites piercings on the upper lip aren’t unheard of.
12. Shark Bites Lip Piercings
Two sets of spider bites piercings, or double spider bites piercings, on the lower lip are known as shark bites piercings.
13. Dolphin Bites Piercings
Two piercings placed close together just below the center of the bottom lip are called dolphin bite piercings.
14. Dahlia Lip Piercings
One of the rarer types of lip piercings coming onto the scene are the Dahlia piercings, or Dahia bites. These are two piercings placed at the corners of the mouth where the lips meet.
Choosing from all of the different types of lip piercings available is only a start. Before you take the plunge and get your lip pierced, it’s important to find an experienced and qualified pierer. Make sure that the piercing studio is clean and your piercer is experienced and familiar with the types of lip piercings you want. This is especially true for Dahlia piercings, since these are a little trickier than other types of lip piercings.
Proper aftercare for your new lip piercing is essential. Try to avoid touching the new piercing as much as possible, and keep your mouth clean and sanitized. You can wash or soak your new lip piercings in a saline solution twice a day and use a soft bristled toothbrush to clean them further. For additional aftercare instructions for your type of lip piercing, be sure to talk with your piercer.
