Understanding Lip Piercings And Proper Care

There are many kinds of lip piercings. All piercings around the mouth area have different names depending on their placement.

What jewelry can be used in lip piercings?

The most common jewelry for lip piercings is a labret. A labret is a straight rod with a decorative top on one end and a flat disc on the other. The disc prevents the jewelry from falling out of the piercing. More importantly, since it is flat, it doesn't damage your gums and teeth.

You can also wear rings or horseshoes in your lip piercings. At Bodymod, we say, when it comes to piercing jewelry, the sky's the limit.

What materials should I use?

Since part of the jewelry is in contact with your mouth, many people prefer to use PTFE or acrylic pieces. These materials are not as hard as surgical steel or titanium, for example. That’s why they protect both teeth and gums from possible friction. Some people with lip piercings find that the jewelry pinches their gums or that the gums become red and irritated. To prevent this, you can place a silicone cover plate on the inner side of your mouth. Once the irritation has faded, it can be removed again.

What are the standard sizes for lip piercing jewelry?

The standard thread thickness is 1.2 mm and 8 mm long. Of course, some people have thicker or thinner lips, so a rod measuring 6 mm or 10 mm in length could be appropriate.

Most piercers put in a starter piece that is a little longer than normal because the lip may swell up. Once the piercing has healed, a different jewel can be inserted to fit the lip better.

When it comes to rings, the diameter of the jewelry differs depending on each person's body and the piercing's location.