— The collection

Lip & Labret Piercing

Labret, vertical labret, medusa and more — lip piercings with a flat, tooth-friendly back.

Lip and labret piercing jewellery: flat-back studs and rings designed to sit comfortably against the lip and gums. G23 titanium while it heals, gold once settled. Discreet gem tops or bold rings, for every lip style. The flat back also suits the helix, tragus and conch — see the jewellery types.

Lip and labret piercings: the placements

"Lip piercing" covers a whole family of placements around the mouth, each with its own name:

  • Labret — centred just below the lower lip, the classic.
  • Vertical labret — pierced up through the lip so both ends show, with no back inside the mouth.
  • Medusa (philtrum) — centred above the top lip, under the nose.
  • Smiley — through the thin web inside the upper lip, hidden until you smile.
  • Side / off-centre labret — set to one side, single or doubled.

Lip jewellery: labret studs and rings

  • Flat-back labret stud — a flat disc inside the mouth and a gem or ball outside. The flat back is gentler on teeth and gums than a ring.
  • Rings & hoops — wrap the lip for a bolder look once healed.
  • Vertical labret barbells — a curved bar showing a bead top and bottom.

See the types of piercing jewellery.

Titanium or gold for a lip piercing

  • Implant-grade titanium (G23) — nickel-free and hypoallergenic, and smooth against the gums; the safe choice while it heals.
  • Gold finish — warm gold PVD over titanium for a healed lip, still nickel-free.

Healing a lip piercing — and protecting your teeth

A lip piercing heals in about 2 to 3 months. It swells a lot at first, so it is fitted with a longer bar to start, then downsized once the swelling drops — downsizing matters, because a long bar knocking the teeth and gums is the main long-term risk. Rinse with alcohol-free mouthwash or saline after eating, and always choose a flat-back labret over a ring to protect your teeth. Full routine in our aftercare guide.

Does a lip piercing hurt?

The lip is soft and well supplied with blood, so it is a quick pinch with more swelling than pain afterwards — most people rate it 3 to 4 out of 10. Expect a few days of puffiness and eat soft, cool food at first.

How long does a lip piercing take to heal?
About 2 to 3 months. It swells a lot early on, so it starts on a longer bar that your piercer downsizes once the swelling drops. Rinse with saline or alcohol-free mouthwash after eating.
Can a lip piercing damage my teeth?
A ring or an over-long bar that constantly knocks the teeth and gums can, over time. The fix is a correctly downsized flat-back labret in smooth titanium, which sits against the gum far more gently than a ring.
What is a vertical labret?
A vertical labret is pierced up through the lower lip so a curved barbell shows a bead at the top and bottom, with nothing sitting inside the mouth. Because it does not touch the teeth or gums, many people find it gentler than a standard labret.
Does a lip piercing hurt?
The lip is soft tissue, so it is a quick pinch with more swelling than lasting pain — most people rate it 3 to 4 out of 10. Expect a few puffy days and stick to soft, cool food at first.