By appointment
Lip Piercings
Implant grade titanium and solid 14K gold labret studs for the lip. Fourteen placement variations from a single labret to paired bites, philtrum studs, and inner frenulum piercings.
Lip piercings are one of the most varied piercing categories in the body, with more named placement variations than any other region. From a single centred labret below the lower lip to paired snake bites, philtrum medusa studs, and rare inner frenulum smileys, each variation reads completely differently on the face and suits different anatomies, lifestyles, and styling intentions.
At Piercing Lab Calgary, every lip piercing is performed with a sterile single use needle and fitted with an implant grade titanium labret stud from the first appointment.
Why fit and styling matter
Lip piercings live closer to your daily life than any other piercing. They are visible every time you talk, eat, drink, smile, or kiss, and the jewelry sits against your teeth and gums all day. Five considerations shape every lip fitting:
Anatomy first. Lip thickness, philtrum depth, and the natural shape of your mouth all affect which lip piercings suit you. Some clients have anatomy that makes a centred labret beautiful but a vertical labret impractical. We assess your specific lip anatomy before recommending placement.
Labret stud, always. Every lip piercing in this category uses an internally threaded labret stud, which has a flat disc on the inside of the lip and a decorative end on the outside. Rings and hoops are not used for fresh lip piercings because they move more and rest against the gums.
Mind your teeth. Lip jewelry contacts the inside of your mouth all day. Choosing a flat disc back with smooth internal threading helps minimize wear on teeth and gums over time. We size jewelry to sit close to the lip without protruding far into the mouth, which reduces contact with teeth significantly.
Eating, drinking, and daily life. Plan for 2 weeks of soft foods, no spicy or salty meals, no kissing or oral contact, and saline rinses after every meal. Lip piercings are some of the easiest to heal as long as you adjust your daily routine for the first month.
Paired piercings should be done together. For paired placements like Snake Bites, Spider Bites, Angel Bites, and Dahlia, we recommend doing both piercings in the same session rather than waiting for one to heal first. Once a lip piercing heals, the surrounding tissue thickens and changes density. Coming back to add the mirrored second piercing months later means working with two different tissue conditions, which makes achieving symmetric placement significantly harder. Paired piercings done together heal through matching tissue conditions and lock in symmetry from the start.
Jewelry material
We exclusively use implant grade titanium and solid gold suitable for long term wear and healing piercings.
Implant grade titanium (ASTM F136). The industry default and what we use for every fresh lip piercing. Hypoallergenic, proven biocompatible, and the right material for the long healing window in the mouth environment.
Solid 14K or 18K gold. Available for fully healed lip piercings, typically after 8 weeks. Decorative gem ends, monroe-style studs, and statement upper lip pieces become available once the piercing is fully settled.
Fashion jewelry materials are not used for new piercings at our studio.
Placement variations
Lip piercings span the upper lip, lower lip, and inner mouth, with fourteen named variations grouped into three families:
Lower lip placements
Labret (Centre Lower). A single piercing centred directly below the lower lip. The classic lip placement and the most common starting point for lip curation. Works for almost every anatomy.
Side Labret. A single piercing off-centre below the lower lip, typically positioned at roughly one-third or two-thirds across the lip width. Reads softer than a centred labret and works well as a starting piercing for clients who want lip jewelry without strict centring.
Snake Bites. Paired side labrets, one on each side of the lower lip, symmetric in placement and jewelry. A bold statement that reads instantly as paired bites. Always pierced together in one session to lock in symmetry.
Spider Bites. Paired piercings on the same side of the lower lip, placed close together (typically 5 to 8mm apart). Reads as a small cluster on one side of the mouth rather than symmetric bites. Less common than snake bites but distinctive. Always pierced together in one session.
Ashley. A vertical piercing through the centre of the lower lip pointing downward. The labret stud enters through the top of the lip and exits below the lip line, so the decorative end sits visible on the lower lip surface itself rather than below it. Anatomically demanding because the jewelry passes through more tissue.
Vertical Labret. A vertical piercing through the centre of the lower lip pointing upward. The labret enters from below the lower lip and exits through the top of the lip surface. Reads as a centred dot on the lip itself. Like Ashley, this piercing stresses the lip more than horizontal placements and needs careful healing.
Upper lip placements
Medusa (Philtrum). A single piercing in the philtrum dip directly above the upper lip, in the natural vertical groove between the nose and the lip. One of the most flattering upper lip placements because it sits in the face's natural symmetry line. Reads as a refined accent rather than a statement piercing.
Monroe. A piercing on the upper lip off-centre, positioned to mimic the placement of Marilyn Monroe's beauty mark. Traditionally on the left side of the upper lip. Reads soft and vintage.
Madonna. The mirror version of Monroe, positioned on the right side of the upper lip. Same placement style with the opposite side preference.
Angel Bites (also called Angel Fang). Paired piercings on the upper lip, one on each side of the philtrum. Creates symmetric flanking accents to the upper lip's natural shape. The upper lip equivalent of snake bites. Always pierced together in one session.
Dahlia (Joker Bites). Paired piercings at the corners of the mouth where the upper and lower lips meet. One of the most anatomically demanding lip piercings because the jewelry sits at the most-moved point on the face. Always pierced together in one session and requires careful jewelry sizing to avoid catching during eating and talking.
Inner mouth placements
Smiley (Upper Frenulum). Pierces the thin tissue connecting the upper lip to the gum, inside the mouth. Only visible when you smile widely. A subtle placement chosen for personal expression rather than visible styling.
Frowny (Lower Frenulum). The lower lip equivalent of Smiley, piercing the tissue connecting the lower lip to the gum. Even less visible than Smiley and more sensitive due to the anatomy of the lower frenulum.
Healing and aftercare
Most lip piercings heal in 6 to 8 weeks, faster than ear cartilage but slower than lobe. Frenulum piercings (Smiley and Frowny) heal in 4 to 6 weeks since they are mucous membrane.
First 2 weeks. Saline rinse the outside twice daily. Rinse the inside of your mouth with alcohol-free mouthwash or saline after every meal and snack. Eat soft foods, avoid spicy and acidic foods, and avoid oral contact entirely.
Weeks 2 to 4. Free downsize appointment with any Niori Jewelry purchase. Lip piercings often start with a longer initial post to accommodate swelling and benefit significantly from downsizing once swelling settles.
Weeks 4 to 8. Most foods become comfortable again. Continue saline rinses after meals as the inside of the piercing continues to heal.
Long term. Once healed, lip jewelry can be swapped for solid gold ends, gem-set studs, or decorative pieces. Bioplastic flat backs are an option for clients concerned about tooth contact.
Full instructions on our aftercare page.
Recommended styles
- Implant grade titanium labret posts in 14ga or 16ga (initial wear, all placements)
- Internally threaded only, never externally threaded for lip jewelry
- Solid 14k gold prong-set diamond, moissanite, or coloured gem ends (healed wear, upper lip placements)
- Subtle 1.5mm to 3mm ends for Medusa and Monroe placements
- Plain titanium balls for snake bites and spider bites (let the placement be the focal point)
- Bioplastic flat backs for clients with sensitive gums or who want minimum tooth contact
Book your lip piercing at Piercing Lab Calgary
Every appointment includes anatomy assessment, sterile single use needle, implant grade titanium labret stud from your first wear, and a one on one walkthrough of healing, aftercare, and eating adjustments. For paired piercings (Snake Bites, Angel Bites, Spider Bites, Dahlia) we always pierce both sides in the same session because lip tissue density changes after the first piercing heals, which makes achieving symmetric placement significantly harder if done sequentially.
Frequently asked
How long does a lip piercing take to heal?
Most lip piercings heal in 6 to 8 weeks. Frenulum piercings (Smiley and Frowny) heal in 4 to 6 weeks because they are mucous membrane rather than skin and cartilage.
Will a lip piercing damage my teeth?
The flat disc on a properly sized labret stud sits close to the inside of the lip and minimizes contact with teeth and gums. Choosing the right jewelry size, smooth internal threading, and considering bioplastic flat backs for long term wear helps keep contact gentle. Many clients wear lip piercings for years without dental issues; some choose to retire them eventually as a precaution.
What should I eat after a lip piercing?
Soft foods for the first 2 weeks: yogurt, soup, mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, soft fruit, congee. Avoid spicy, salty, acidic, and crunchy foods. Avoid hot beverages for the first week because heat can increase swelling.
Can I drink alcohol with a new lip piercing?
Avoid alcohol entirely for the first 2 weeks. Alcohol thins blood, slows healing, and many alcoholic drinks are acidic enough to irritate the fresh piercing significantly.
What is the difference between Snake Bites and Spider Bites?
Snake Bites are paired piercings on opposite sides of the lower lip, mirrored symmetrically. Spider Bites are paired piercings on the same side of the lower lip, placed close together as a small cluster. Both are lower lip placements but read completely differently.
Should I get paired lip piercings done together or one at a time?
Together, in the same session. For Snake Bites, Spider Bites, Angel Bites, and Dahlia, we strongly recommend doing both piercings at the same appointment rather than waiting for one to heal first. Once a lip piercing heals, the surrounding tissue thickens and changes density, which means the two sides will have different conditions if the second piercing is added later. Paired piercings done in one session heal together through matching tissue conditions, and symmetric placement is locked in from the start. The healing load of two simultaneous piercings is more manageable than the long-term asymmetry that often results from sequential paired piercings.
What is a Smiley piercing and why is it inside my mouth?
The Smiley pierces the thin tissue (the frenulum) that connects the upper lip to the gum, inside the mouth. It is only visible when you smile widely with your lips raised. Chosen for personal expression rather than visible styling.