What is labret piercing?
It is the perforation of the center of the lower lip above the chin. You can express your personality in a more creative way with a labret piercing by wearing varied styles of jewelry. It is also known as center bottom lip piercing.
How to pierce your labret
Selecting a reputable piercing studio that has many years of experience in lip piercings is important. After the professional piercer cleans the lower lip, you would be given an antibacterial solution to rinse your mouth before the procedure. After the entry and exit points are marked, the bottom lip is clamped to pass a sterilized, hollow needle through the center. The jewelry is carefully inserted into the pierced spot.
Labret piercing pain
Although this bottom lip piercing hurts, handling it would not be difficult if you have a high pain tolerance. Localized swelling, bruising, and intermittent bleeding of the lower lip might occur for few days. However, these are normal consequences of piercing that do not pose any serious problem.
Labret piercing aftercare
- Avoid touching the pierced site without washing your hands
- Soak a cotton ball in warm saline water to clean the piercing
- Use warm salt water to rinse your mouth after every meal
- Keep your mouth clean by brushing with a soft-bristled toothbrush and mild toothpaste
- Rinse the piercing with an antibacterial soap while taking bath
- Use clean paper products to dry the pierced area
- Avoid eating spicy foods, drinking alcohol, and smoking
- Do not apply lotions, creams, ointments, or makeup on the piercing
- Avoid moving the jewelry back and forth through the piercing
Labret piercing healing
It takes around 3 to 6 weeks for the piercing to undergo complete healing.
Labret piercing infection and complications
An infected piercing is marked by severe swelling, redness, soreness, and yellow discharge. If the symptoms get worse then taking quick medical aid is necessary. There is also a risk of teeth, and gum damage as the back disk of the jewelry keeps rubbing against the surface of the gum, causing erosion. Wearing jewelry of the right size might help in preventing the problem.
In some cases, poor placement of the piercing or use of wrong jewelry increases the chances of rejection and migration. Visit the piercing studio immediately if you experience severe irritation and discomfort.
Labret piercing jewelry
Labret studs, circular bars, and ball closure rings go well with it. In most cases, a 16 or 18 gauge labret stud is used as the initial jewelry for the piercing to heal properly. Oval or round labret plugs are suitable for larger piercings.
How much does a labret lip piercing cost
The price of the piercing is somewhere between $40 and $65 in any professional piercing parlor.
Labret piercing variations
Vertical labret piercing
A curved barbell is passed from the top of the lower lip for this type of piercing. Although it is painful, the risk of tooth erosion and gum recession is low as the jewelry makes less contact with the surface of the gum.
Horizontal labret piercing
Here, the piercing is made through the lip surface in the horizontal direction.
Side labret piercing
It is the perforation of the right or left side of the lower lip.
Double labret piercing
Two perforations are placed at the center of the bottom lip.
Fake labret piercing
If you do not want to undergo through this painful process, then use magnetic labret studs or fake rings.
References:
http://www.bluebanana.com/article.php/7403/labret-piercings
http://www.pacificbodyjewellery.com/aftercare/labret_piercing%20_care.htm