Labret Piercing Guide: Side, Vertical Labret and Monroe

What is a labret piercing?

The labret takes its name from the Latin word labrum , meaning “lip”. A classic labret piercing is placed in the centre below the lower lip, in the natural hollow between the lip line and the chin. A small stone or ball shows on the front of the jewellery; inside the mouth there is a flat disc resting against the teeth and gums. This flat-back design keeps the jewellery from turning in the mouth and minimises rubbing against the teeth.

Over time, “labret” has become the name of both this piercing spot and the flat-back bar jewellery. That is why you may hear “labret jewellery” used for the helix or tragus on the ear too; we explain the differences between jewellery types in our labret, barbell and ring guide . This article covers the labret family around the mouth.

What types of labret piercing are there?

Most piercings around the lips belong to the labret family; the difference is the placement and whether the jewellery goes inside the mouth. The table below shows the most frequently asked styles together.

Classic (centre) labret

The simplest and most popular style. Because it sits on the centre line of the face, it gives a symmetrical look; a small stone or ball gives a minimal style, a ring a bolder one. Switching to a ring should be considered after healing is complete.

Side labret

It is placed to one side of the lower lip and adds an asymmetrical, modern touch to the face. Done symmetrically on both sides, it is called snake bites . You can also get one side done and add the other later; waiting for the first to settle before the second makes healing easier.

Vertical labret

The jewellery enters through the top edge of the lower lip and exits below the lip, so it never goes inside the mouth. Because it uses a curved barbell, both ends show from the outside. No contact with the teeth is its biggest advantage; but it may not suit people with very thin lips, so the anatomy is checked first.

Monroe and Madonna

Placed above the upper lip to look like a beauty mark: on the left it is called a monroe, on the right a madonna. The style placed at the centre, in the groove between the nose and lip, is the medusa; for details, see our medusa (philtrum) piercing guide article. The style placed through the inner band of the upper lip, which shows when you smile, is the smiley piercing.

Which labret style suits me?

Anatomy decides the choice as much as style. When deciding at the studio, we look at these points together:

• Lip and chin structure: The depth of the hollow below the lip and the lip thickness affect whether the jewellery sits straight.
• Teeth and gums: For people with gum sensitivity, a vertical labret that doesn’t go inside the mouth may make more sense.
• Braces or dentures: If you have them, be sure to mention it beforehand; the position of the disc is planned accordingly.
• Work and school: Classic and side labrets look more discreet with small, skin-toned stones.
• Stacking plan: If you are aiming for a two-sided look like snake bites, the spots need to be planned symmetrically from the start.

How is a labret piercing done?

1. Consultation: We discuss the style, jewellery and any dental issues; for clients under 18, parental consent is required.
2. Marking: The spot is marked with the lip line and facial symmetry in mind and checked together in the mirror.
3. Preparation: The inside of the mouth and the outer surface are cleaned; a new sterile, single-use needle is opened in front of each client.
4. Piercing and jewellery: The piercing is done with a needle and the first jewellery goes in straight away. The first bar is chosen long enough to allow for swelling.
5. Aftercare briefing: We explain one by one what to watch out for in the first days. Including the consultation, the procedure takes about 15 minutes.

At our studio the gun is used for lobes only. All lip piercings are done with a needle; for the difference between methods, see piercing gun or needle? in our article.

Does a labret piercing hurt?

Pain varies from person to person. The moment of piercing is very short, and most people describe it as brief pressure or a sting. What needs more attention is the swelling and tenderness in the following days; the lip may feel tight when eating and talking for the first few days. Cold drinks and soft foods make this period easier. For more information, see how much does a piercing hurt? article.

How many months does a labret piercing take to heal?

Because the area around the lips has a good blood supply, the labret family usually heals in 2–3 months. Still, looking fine from the outside doesn’t mean the channel inside the tissue has fully matured. A typical process looks like this:

• First 3–5 days: Swelling, tenderness and mild redness are expected.
• Weeks 1–4: The swelling goes down; clear or pale yellow lymph fluid and crusting are normal. Once the swelling goes down, shortening the bar comes up.
• Months 2–3: Tenderness largely goes away; a piercer check is appropriate before changing jewellery.

For healing times of all areas, see piercing healing times table .

How to care for a labret piercing

A labret is a two-sided piercing: the outside is skin, the inside is the mouth. So aftercare works in two directions too.

• Clean the outside once or twice a day with sterile saline solution; see our guide for choosing saline .
• Rinse your mouth with plain water after meals; avoid harsh mouthwashes containing alcohol.
• In the first days, limit very hot, very spicy and acidic foods; eat in small bites.
• Don’t play with the jewellery with your tongue or teeth, and don’t bite your lip.
• Smoking and alcohol can make healing harder; take a break in the first weeks if you can.
• Touch the jewellery only with clean hands; don’t pull at crusts or twist it.

For step-by-step cleaning, see how to clean a new piercing article.

What to watch out for with teeth and gums

With styles that go inside the mouth, such as the labret, side labret and monroe, the disc rests against the teeth and gums. If this contact continues for a long time with a lot of movement, it can wear tooth enamel or strain the gums. Ways to reduce the risk:

• Downsizing: The long first bar is replaced with a shorter one once the swelling goes down, so the jewellery doesn’t move around inside the mouth. For timing, see our downsizing guide .
• Flat, smooth disc: The inner disc should be flat with rounded edges.
• Material: Titanium is a good option for sensitive skin; details titanium piercing jewellery article.
• Dental check-ups: Show your piercing to your dentist at regular check-ups.

If you notice spreading redness, increasing and throbbing pain, dark foul-smelling discharge or a fever, don’t remove the jewellery yourself; see a doctor without delay and let your piercer know. To tell normal irritation from a serious problem, see infection or irritation? will guide you.

How much is a labret piercing?

At Cadde Piercing Studio, lip piercings including the labret, side labret, vertical labret, monroe and smiley are 550 TL; standard surgical steel jewellery is included. Titanium jewellery is 350 TL; if you choose titanium, +350 TL is added to the piercing price. The current list of all procedures is on our piercing prices page; for service details, see lip piercing page.

Labret piercing in Ümraniye: studio, directions and booking

Cadde Piercing Studio is at İstiklal Mah. Mithatpaşa Cad. No:7B, Ümraniye/Istanbul, within walking distance of the Çarşı stop on the M5 Üsküdar–Samandıra metro line. Procedures are done by our female piercers; we welcome women and men. For every client a sterile, single-use needle is opened in front of them. We are open every day: Monday–Saturday 10:00–20:30, Sunday 11:00–20:00. Payment at the studio is cash only.

If you are not sure which labret style suits you, we can assess your lip and chin line together. Online booking page or on WhatsApp (0533 250 01 77) to book.

This article is for general information and does not replace medical advice. Ask your piercer or doctor about your personal situation.

Takının ağız içine girmediği bir model mi arıyorsun? Vertical labret piercing rehberimiz uygunluk, takı ve bakımı anlatıyor.

Official and reliable sources

• APP: Minimum standards for initial jewellery
• APP: Piercing aftercare brochure (PDF)

Üst dudağın yan tarafında “ben” görünümü isteyenler için: Monroe piercing rehberi.

Got a question? Ask on WhatsApp or book an appointment in Ümraniye at our studio in Ümraniye Çarşı.

FAQ

How many months does a labret piercing take to heal?

Classic labret, side labret and monroe piercings usually take 2–3 months to heal. A vertical labret mostly takes a similar time. It can take longer depending on your aftercare, smoking and tissue; full maturing can take a few more months.

Can a labret piercing damage your teeth?

If the disc inside the mouth rubs for a long time, it can strain tooth enamel and gums. To reduce this risk, the bar is shortened once the swelling goes down (downsizing), flat-disc jewellery is chosen and dental check-ups are kept up. A vertical labret doesn’t go inside the mouth, so it doesn’t touch the teeth.

What is the difference between a side labret and a labret?

A classic labret is placed right below the centre of the lower lip, a side labret on the right or left side of the lower lip. In both, the first jewellery is a labret bar with a flat disc inside; a symmetrical side labret pair is called snake bites.

How much is a labret piercing?

At Cadde Piercing Studio, labret, side labret, monroe and other lip piercings are 550 TL; standard surgical steel jewellery is included. Titanium jewellery is 350 TL; if you choose titanium, +350 TL is added to the piercing price. Payment at the studio is cash only.

Is a labret piercing done with a gun?

No. The labret and all lip piercings are done with a new sterile, single-use needle opened for every client. At our studio the gun is used for lobe piercing only.

This content is for general information only and does not replace medical diagnosis or treatment.