The piercing inside the mouth under the lip is most commonly called a Labret piercing, situated in the center of the lower lip, above the chin; other variations include the Ashley piercing (a single indentation in the center) or a Vertical Labret (entering at the bottom and exiting the top lip). These piercings use jewelry like flat-backed studs (labrets) or rings, and require careful placement to avoid teeth and gums.
A labret is a form of body piercing. Taken literally, it is any type of adornment that is attached to the lip (labrum). However, the term usually refers to a piercing that is below the bottom lip, above the chin. It is sometimes referred to as a "tongue pillar" or a "soul patch piercing".
They're normally used as to represent being a sexual assault or abuse victim due to the fact that a more recent version of the Medusa story frames her being turned into a gorgon as a blessing by Athena instead of a curse when Poseidon raped Medusa.
Types Of Piercings That Can Damage Teeth And Gums
If you are considering getting a piercing in the mouth area, you should know that most dentists would advise against doing so. The most common piercings that can cause oral health issues include: Tongue Piercings. Philtrum Piercings (the cleft just above the upper lip)
A "Cinderella piercing" isn't a standard piercing name, but it likely refers to a second lobe ear piercing, often done in South Asian cultures as a rite of passage after the first, creating an "earring stack" that adds elegance, similar to Cinderella's magical transformation, or could be a misunderstanding for other female genital piercings like the Christina or Isabella, but most commonly it means that classic, subtle second earlobe piercing.
An Eskimo or an Ashley piercing is a vertical lip piercing or a vertical labret which, unlike a normal labret, runs vertically through the lip. This piercing is executed like the centered labret, the difference being that the needle comes back out on the other side of the lower lip.
The "rarest" piercing is subjective and often debated, but top contenders include the Rhino Piercing (vertical through the tip of the nose), Uvula Piercing (through the soft palate), and the Mad Max (two surface piercings connected by custom jewelry), requiring significant skill and custom work, making them extremely uncommon. Other very rare ones involve complex surface piercings or specific anatomical placements like the Achilles Heel.
However, while they may look cool, oral piercings come with some significant health risks, especially when it comes to your teeth and gums. Dentists are generally concerned about the potential for damage and often advise against oral piercings due to these risks.
Lip & Other Oral Piercings
The good news is that you should be totally fine to wear lipstick again in 2-4 weeks. That is unless you are healing a vertical philtrum or vertical labret. For these, we recommend you remain lipstick-free until they're fully healed.
People should also be aware that removing the piercing may leave a hole or scar in the lip.
The "2:3 piercing rule" is a curated ear guideline suggesting that for every two piercings, you should have three units of space between them, aiming for a balanced look, often by placing two piercings on the lobe and three on the upper cartilage, or by using larger jewelry at the bottom (lobes) and smaller pieces (studs/huggies) as you go up the ear for a cascading, uncluttered aesthetic. It's a styling tip, not a strict rule, for creating harmonious ear stacks.
A septum piercing on a woman today primarily signifies self-expression, individuality, and a rejection of traditional beauty norms, acting as a statement of confidence, uniqueness, and personal style rather than holding one specific meaning. Historically and culturally, septum piercings have signified strength, spiritual protection, wealth, or marital status in various Indigenous, African, and Middle Eastern cultures, but in modern Western culture, the meaning is largely personal and varied, from rebellion to embracing one's true self.
Why Is It Called a Christina Piercing? The Christina piercing is relatively contemporary. It was first introduced in the 1990s and named after a woman named Christina, who was the first to get it.
Once the swelling goes down and the jewelry remains too long, it's time to downsize. You can typically do this within two to four weeks. It's important that you do this as soon as possible because otherwise, it can lead to tooth and gum damage. Biting the bar also makes you more susceptible to chipping your tooth.
Instead of outlining the lips, French women place the lipstick only in the center, then use their fingers to gently tap the color outward. This creates a diffused halo around the lips that looks like a natural flush rather than makeup.
The most popular jewelry choice for a philtrum piercing is a labret stud. Labret studs work well for lip piercings because they have a flat end on one side and a screw-on accessory on the other. The plate sits on the inside of the lip and helps to prevent the jewelry from falling out.
Lip piercings are another popular option, generally considered safer than tongue piercings. The jewelry is usually placed on the lower lip, and while the risk of nerve damage is lower than with tongue piercings, complications like gum recession and cracked teeth are still common.
Some of the health risks to your smile include:
Tongue piercing has a long history in religious and performance practices. The Mesoamericans, such as the Aztecs, practiced this type of piercing as part of offerings to their deities.
The "3-2 piercing rule" is a popular guideline for creating a balanced ear piercing arrangement, suggesting three piercings on the lobe and two on the upper cartilage for a harmonious, curated look, or applying a 2:3 ratio of piercings to space for overall balance, often pairing small studs with statement pieces for a chic, "undone" style that avoids overcrowding and emphasizes personal anatomy.
The "prettiest" piercings are subjective but often include elegant ear combinations like helix, conch, daith, tragus, and forward helix for curated "earscapes," alongside classic nostril piercings (especially with chains) and bolder choices like septum, eyebrow, and nipple piercings, with many finding the dainty, paired, or layered looks most attractive.