Did you know there are over a dozen ways to pierce your lips?!

Lips are a focal point of your face - they are used for speaking, expression, and kissing, so it's no surprise that a beautiful piercing can help beautify this body part to the next level. There is a surprisingly diverse number of ways to pierce your pout - here's an exhaustive list of facial and lip piercings!

Disclaimer: Everybody's body is different; the diagrams included in this article may not accurately reflect the structure of your nose or face. Some of these piercings may not be be possible in every individual person's nose. In any situation, the best piercing advice will come from a consultation with a professional piercer - they can provide you with accurate information regarding your comments, questions, or concerns about piercing.

From angel bites to vertical labret piercings, Body Candy's got your back (or your face in this case)! We're here to help you make the most informed decisions when it comes to your facial & lip piercings.

Angel Bites

Location: aka a double madonna or the anti-bite, angel bite piercings are a pair of symmetrical piercings located on the upper lip, located toward the edges of the mouth. They are likely named because angels are the "opposite" of snakes. Technically, snake bites are two separate labret piercings, but their symmetry as an intentional pair makes for a unique look.

Recommended Jewelry: Labret studs, BCRs, seamless rings

Healing Time: one (1) to three (3) months

Ashley

Location: An ashley piercing is similar to a vertical labret, but reverse. The exit hole of an ashley piercing is located inside the mouth so that only the lip portion of the piercing is actually visible.

Recommended Jewelry: BCRs or curved barbells,

Healing Time: one (1) to three (3) months

Canine Bites

Location: Canine bites are a grouping of four separate piercings done on both sides of both lips. Canine bites are essentially a combination of angel bites and snake bites or two labrets, a monroe, and a madonna piercing.

Recommended Jewelry: Labret studs, BCRs, seamless rings

Healing Time: one (1) to three (3) months

Cyber Bites

Location: Cyber bites are a pair of piercings located on both lips. This piercing duo is a combination of a labret piercing and a medusa piercing - showing off both centered lip piercings in on the top and bottom of the upper and lower lip respectively.

Recommended Jewelry: Labret studs, BCRs, seamless rings

Healing Time: one (1) to three (3) months

Dahlia Bites

Location: Placed at the corners of the mouth, the Dahlia piercing is usually done in pairs. A single dahlia bite is rare, but certainly represents a unique look.

Recommended Jewelry: Labret studs

Healing Time: one (1) to three (3) months

Dolphin Bites

Location: Dolphin bites are another pair of piercings that are symmetrically placed on both sides of the lower lip. These piercings are similar to snake bites, but are placed much closer together. 

Recommended Jewelry: Labret studs, BCRs, seamless rings

Healing Time: one (1) to three (3) months

Frowny

Location: A frowny, aka a lip frenulum piercing, is a body piercing located in the lower lip frenulum (the frenulum is the small strip of skin that connects the lip to the skull). Conversely, a "smiley" piercing is located in the upper lip frenulum.

Recommended Jewelry: horseshoe rings, seamless rings, BCRs

Healing Time: two (2) to three (3) months

Jestrum

Location: a Jestrum piercing is similar to a vertical labret piercing, but located in the upper lip. The jestrum starts in the center of the upper lip (almost like a medusa) and comes out of the center of the upper lip itself.

Recommended Jewelry: curved barbells, BCRs

Healing Time: one (1) to three (3) months

Labret

Location: A single piercing of the lower lip, sometimes off-center (side labret), but are typically centered in the middle of the lip, directly above the chin. One of the most common lip piercings.

Recommended Jewelry: Labret studs are most common for this piercing, but BCRs, horseshoe rings, and other circular rings can be worn depending on personal anatomy. Labrets can also be stretched to accommodate labret plugs.

Healing Time: one (1) to three (3) months.

Madonna

Location: Named after Madonna's trademark beauty mark, a madonna is a piercing located on the left side of the upper lip (a piercing on the right side of the upper lip is known as a Monroe). This piercing is typically fitted with a 14g or 16g stud.

Recommended Jewelry: Labret stud

Healing Time: one (1) to three (3) months

Medusa (Philtrum)

Location:  Medusa piercings are done directly above the center of the upper lip. This puncture is usually done with 16G (or larger) needles.

Recommended Jewelry: Labret studs, BCRs and other types can also be worn

 

Healing Time: one (1) to three (3) months

Monroe

Location: Named after Marilyn Monroe's famous beauty mark, a monroe is a piercing located on the right side of the upper lip (a piercing on the left side of the upper lip is known as a Madonna). This piercing is typically fitted with a 14g or 16g stud.

Recommended Jewelry: Labret stud

 

Healing Time: one (1) to three (3) months

Shark Bites

Location: Shark bite piercings are a grouping of four separate piercings best categorized as two pairs of spider bite piercings, one on both sides of the mouth.

Recommended Jewelry: Labret studs, BCRs, seamless rings

 

Healing Time: one (1) to three (3) months

Smiley

Location: A smiley, aka a lip frenulum piercing, is a body piercing located in the frenulum of the upper lip (the frenulum is the small strip of skin that connects the lip to the skull). Conversely, a "frowny" piercing is located in the frenulum of the lower lip.

 

Recommended Jewelry: horseshoe rings, seamless rings, BCRs

 

Healing Time: two (2) to three (3) months

Snake Bites

Location: Snake bite piercings are a pair of symmetrical piercings located on the lower lip. They are located toward the edges of the mouth and are named for their similarity to "fang markings." Technically, snake bites are two separate labret piercings, but their symmetry as an intentional pair makes for a unique look.

Recommended Jewelry: Labret studs, BCRs, seamless rings

 

Healing Time: one (1) to three (3) months

Spider Bites

Location: Spider bites are a pair of piercings located typically located on the lower lip. Like the dolphin bite piercing, spider bites are placed close together, but are positioned on either side of the mouth, rather than the center.

Recommended Jewelry: Labret studs, BCRs, seamless rings

 

Healing Time: one (1) to three (3) months

Vertical Labret

Location: Vertical labret piercings have a similar location to labret piercings with a different execution. One side of these piercings goes through the center of the top of the lower lip and the other side appears in a more typical labret location - in the center of the bottom of the lower lip, directly above the chin.

Recommended Jewelry: 

 

Healing Time: one (1) to three (3) months