Middle Lip piercing is piercing through the center of the bottom lip and exiting out through the back of the lip into the mouth known as Ashley piercing. Technical name of middle lip piercing is inverse vertical labret piercing.
What is Lip piercing?
Lip piercing is a type of body piercing which involves the lips or area around the lips. Industrial Piercing involves the piercing of ear cartilage lip piercing is the piercing of lips in different ways. There are variety of ways through which lip can be pierced. Following are the types of Lip piercing:
Monroe lip piercing
This type of lip piercing is done on the right side of upper lip. The name Monroe is given because of the beauty mark on the lip of late Marilyn Monroe which was popular as Stretch Mark Tattoos. It will take 6 weeks to 2 months for healing. Labret stud is worn on this type of lip piercing.
Side labret lip piercing
This is the off-centered piercing of the upper or lower lip. Mostly captive bead rings or labret studs are used a jewelry. It will take 1 to 3 months for healing. Side labret piercing is the most common type of piercing.
Medusa lip piercing
This piercing is done on the above of the center of the upper lip. 16g or larger needle used for this piercing. It’s healing time is 6 to 12 weeks. Labret studs or captive bead rings are used as jewelry for medusa piercing.
Ashley lip piercing
In this type of piercing exit hole is made inside the mouth. Only entrance point is visible on this type of piercing. It’s healing time is 8 to 10 weeks. Captive bead rings or bent barbells of 14g or 18g size are used as a jewelry.
Labret lip piercing
In this type of piercing puncture is done below the center of the lower lip and above the chin. Hoops, captive bead rings and labret studs are used as a jewelry. It’s healing time is 3-6 weeks.
Vertical labret lip piercing
In this type of piercing, puncture is done vertically with one end coming out of the standard labret piercing area and the other penetrating the center of the lip itself. Captive bead rings or bent barbell usually worn as a jewelry. It may take 8-10 weeks to heal.
Labret piercing ring
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The labret is pierced with a large barbell because a ring would need to be very large to reduce the swelling, because of the location of the lip.
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Labret is usually pierced with a 16 gauge or a 14 gauge, but it can be done with 18 gauge for some peoples.
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The length of the labret is dependent on anatomy and that is something that piercer will determine before the piercing. Longer lengths work well because it give the piercing extra room to swell.
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After the 1-2 weeks the swelling should start to decrease and downsize the jewelry after 3-4 weeks.
Lip piercing History
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The people of South America, and some tribes in Malawi had a practice of lip stretching through piercing and insertion of plates which is known as “pelele”.
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Mali people pierce their lips to symbolize the creation of world through their ancestor spirit.
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The people of Southern Africa made attractive themselves through insertion of plates in their upper lips. Husband of the girl inserted this plate six months before marriage.
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This is a engagement rite and the bigger the plate, the more the dowry. People in central Mexico and Mayans in southern Mexico practiced a lip piercing as a ceremonial practice.
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Males who were intended to join the military got their lips pierced at a tender age. An ornament is then placed and stretched as they brought more war prisoners. Labret piercing is for the males of the higher castes. They wore gold labrets with stones.
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There was a spiritual and mythological histories behind the lip piercing. It is still practicing in the modern society of today mainly for aesthetic purposes.
Middle Lip piercing procedure
If you are ready for Ashley or middle lip piercing than first step is to meet with piercer and find a shop. In some places for Ashley piercing age restriction is 16. Piercer will give you a consultation and some instructions for middle lip piercing.
Sterilization of equipments and location of piercing is very important step. Piercer will chose the right location for piercing and mark with surgical pen. Piercer will pass a 14g needle through the middle of the lip and insert the jewelry.
In this type of piercing only the front side of the jewelry is visible because puncture is placed inside the mouth so backside of the jewelry is in mouth which is not visible.
Middle lip piercing pain
If you tolerate the pain of Lip Flip than you will easily tolerate the pain of middle lip piercing or Ashley piercing.
It is one of the most painful piercing because lip has lots of nerve endings so during the procedure needle comes in contact with these nerve endings which cause pain.
On the pain scale the level of pain is 4-5 out of 10. So middle Lip piercing is for those who can tolerate the pain. Painkiller ibuprofen is helpful in reducing the pain.
Middle lip piercing healing process
Middle lip piercing take 2 to 3 months for healing or healing time may vary from person to person. When swelling has gone down than piercing starts healing. Avoid changing jewelry before healing because it will extend the healing time.
Aftercare rules for middle lip piercing
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Avoid moving and touching of the jewelry, although it is difficult in this type of piercing but it will cause complications like scarring.
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Avoid jewelry which is tight, if your jewelry is tight talk to your piercer and change it because it will cause swelling.
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Try to eat soft and cold food like ice cream, yogurt as it is helpful in decreasing pain and swelling.
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Be careful when brushing teeth and always use soft teeth brush.
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Avoid lipstick until complete healing of piercing because it will cause infection.
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To avoid infection don’t touch piercing area without proper washing of hand.
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To clean the outside part of the piercing area use saline solution two to three times a day.
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As everyone knows How Mouthwash Rinse Become a Necessary Step in ■■■■ Hygiene? so rinse the mouth twice a day to clean inside area of the piercing.
Cons of middle lip piercing
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Due to the location of piercing so many risks associated with middle lip piercing:
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Middle lip piercing cause gum erosion and swelling.
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Due to the wearing of large jewelry like labret stud which will result in widening of skin and scar appearance.
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Due to the infection there is a chance of getting yellow pus in piercing area.
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Always try to use labrets which are made-up of surgical steel because body can’t accept other metals.
Middle lip piercing jewelry
The most common and popular jewelry style for middle lip piercing is labret stud because it doesn’t contact with gum and teeth. Some people also chose 14k gold, opals, pearls, or diamonds. Persons with sensitive skin or prone to irritation are advised to use Titanium jewelry. Middle lip piercing looks minimalistic when pairs with other lip piercing or nose piercing.
Summary
Middle Lip piercing is piercing through the center of the bottom lip and exiting out through the back of the lip into the mouth known as Ashley piercing. Sterilization of equipments and location of piercing is very important step in middle lip piercing. Lip has lots of nerve endings so during the procedure needle comes in contact with these nerve endings which cause pain. Middle lip piercing take 2 to 3 months for healing. Avoid changing jewelry before healing because it will extend the healing time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are a few important points to know:
1) Do lip piercing infected easily?
Due to the regular contact of lips with saliva, food, makeup, and other bacteria lip piercing is more prone to infections specially during healing time**. An infected lip look red, swollen with pus and warm to touch.**
2) Does lip piercing damage teeth?
Lip piercings comes into direct contact with gums which leads to gum recession that are exposing more of the tooth’s root, which is easier for bacteria to damage tooth and gums. Damage gums cause the damage to tooth.
3) A plastic lip ring better than metal?
Bacteria found in higher levels on steel jewelry, steel jewelry promote the growth of a biofilm, while plastic piercings may be inert to bacterial colonization concluded by studies.
4) When swelling has gone down than piercing starts healing?
Avoid changing jewelry before healing because it will extend the healing time.
The most common and popular jewelry style for middle lip piercing is labret stud because it doesn’t contact with gums and teeth. Some people also chose 14k gold, opals, pearls, or diamonds.
5) What is Lip piercing?
Lip piercing is a type of body piercing which involves the lips or area around the lips. Industrial Piercing involves the piercing of ear cartilage lip piercing is the piercing of lips in different ways.
Conclusion
Middle Lip piercing is piercing through the center of the bottom lip and exiting out through the back of the lip into the mouth known as Ashley piercing. Sterilization of equipments and location of piercing is very important step in middle lip piercing. Piercer will chose the right location for piercing and mark with surgical pen. Middle lip piercing is one of the most painful piercing because lip has lots of nerve endings so during the procedure needle comes in contact with these nerve endings which cause pain.
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