Do you want to get a labret piercing above your lip and have questions about the pain, the healing process and the piercing itself? Then you will find what you are looking for in my guide to the labret. I will show you everything you need to know about the Madonna piercing.
Lip piercings
There are many different types of lip piercings. Some are pierced below the lip, others above it, and others go straight through it. To give you a quick overview, I would like to quickly list the different types:
Medusa piercing
in the middle above the lip
Madonna piercing
left or right above the lip
Ashley piercing
Through the middle of the lower lip and ends on the inside.
Eskimo piercing
Like the Ashley, but the end leads outwards below the lip.
Snakebite piercing
left and right below the lip
Lower lip piercing
The labret or lower lip piercing is pierced centrally below the lip.
It's entirely up to you which lip piercing you choose. Some are more subtle, others are a bit more noticeable.
Madonna Piercing
Have you decided on a piercing on the left or right above your lip? Great, now it's time to go to the piercer. Here, as in my other piercing posts, I can only repeat:
Find a good piercer who knows his craft. This way you can avoid crooked or incorrectly pierced piercings. A crooked lip piercing is anything but pretty.
The Madonna piercing is done in the place where many stars have a beauty spot. Examples include Madonna and Cindy Crawford. This is where the name comes from.
This happens at the piercer
1.) First you will have to decide whether you want it on the left or the right. Depending on your preference, the piercer will mark the spot with a pen. You should definitely say here whether it fits you there or whether you would like it to be placed somewhere else. Subsequent changes are obviously not possible.
2.) You will be given a mouthwash and the area will also be disinfected externally.
3.) Now the piercer uses a so-called clamp to fix the area above the lip.
4.) Now the area is pierced – you have to stay still.
5.) Then the jewelry is pulled through and your Madonna piercing is ready.
Length of the initial jewelry
The first piece of jewelry you will have put in will be a little longer. This is because the area of the piercing will swell. To avoid unnecessary irritation and tension in the tissue, a long piece of jewelry is used. This gives the swelling enough room to expand. But don't worry, after a certain amount of time everything will go down again and a shorter bar can be put in.
How much pain does it feel when getting pierced?
The perception of pain is always subjective and different for everyone. However, I know from my own experience that this is exactly what most people are interested in before getting a piercing. You look for experiences and you will find that some people had pain and others hardly felt anything. So you are left with two opinions and you don't know how it will go for you.
But I can reassure you. The pain from getting a Madonna piercing is very limited.
Lip piercing yourself
Do you want to pierce your lip yourself? I can only strongly advise against that. The risk of hitting nerves or piercing the piercing wrong is too great. A piercing like that is really not expensive these days, which is why you should just let a professional do it. Anything else could end up being a bitter regret.
Cost of labret piercing
The price for a Madonna piercing varies, of course. However, the cost should normally be between 50 and 65 euros. The piercing, the jewelry, care products, follow-up examinations and general support until healing should be included. Only the follow-up jewelry is usually not included, but this also varies from studio to studio.
The best thing to do is to go to the website of your piercing studio, most of them have a price list there. Alternatively, you can call and you will know how much your lip piercing will cost.
Risks of Labret Piercing
There are no important nerve pathways or similar above the lip, so the risks are limited. The biggest risk is for teeth and gums. A labret is usually used as jewelry in this area. This stud is flat on the inside and the ball is screwed on to the outside. The flat piece on the inside naturally comes into contact with teeth and gums.
Afraid of wild flesh? That doesn't have to be the case anymore. These are simply attached to the piercing and on the one hand prevent wild flesh from forming and on the other hand ensure that it goes away again.
This can lead to immense irritation and result in receding gums. This problem can be prevented by avoiding metal and choosing a PTFE plug.
The small plate is softer and does not irritate teeth and gums as much. The plug does need to be replaced more often because it is not as durable, but it is gentler on your mouth.
If that doesn't help, you can only take the jewelry out.
Healing the Madonna or monroe Piercing
In this case, the healing process is fairly straightforward. Normally, your labret piercing should be completely healed within four to eight weeks. You also have to leave the long stud in for that long. You will notice that speaking and everyday things like eating, brushing your teeth, etc. are a bit difficult, especially in the first few days. But you just have to get through it. It should be much better within a few days.
For hygienic reasons, you should not avoid brushing your teeth despite pain, as this can lead to inflammation of the puncture canal. Good oral hygiene is the most important thing.
swelling of Labret piercing
The first few days after the piercing, your upper lip will be quite voluminous. Don't worry, this is completely normal and will go away after a few days. If you don't want to walk around outside like this, it might be worth taking a week's vacation or scheduling the piercing appointment for the weekend.
What helps against the swelling of labret piercing?
Cooling is the best way to reduce swelling. Make sure that you do not put ice cubes directly on your skin. It is best to wrap a few of them in a clean, fresh tea towel and hold it gently to your lip. A cold pack from the fridge can also be helpful here.
Proper care
Your piercer should have given you instructions on how to care for your Madonna or monroe piercing. Follow them. You will usually be given either a mouthwash or a disinfectant spray, which you apply to the affected area several times a day.
As with any piercing in the oral cavity, you should take care of it properly, especially after eating or smoking, to prevent infections. But be careful, you can also over-care for a piercing.
What should you avoid?
The first few days you should definitely
- Alcohol,
- Nicotine,
- Dairy products,
- Spicy, sour or hot food,
- Acidic drinks,
- Kisses
- oral sex
This could unnecessarily prolong the healing of your piercing and also increases the risk of infections.
What to do if the lip piercing is infected?
If your fresh lip piercing starts to fester or doesn't heal at all, you should definitely let your piercer take a look. He can best assess the situation and discuss the next steps with you.
If you don't want that, you can of course just take the piercing out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will there be scars if you take out the lip piercing?
You will always see a small hole, that is unavoidable. However, it is hardly noticeable and should not be a reason not to get one pierced in the first place.
What material should the labret be made of?
Normally, your piercer will insert a metal bar. This has the advantage that it is very durable. However, it may not be so good for your teeth and gums. In this case, a PTFE plug would be better.
Does the lip piercing grow back quickly?
Yes, since it is in the muscle tissue, it won't take long for the piercing channel to close. As long as you want to keep your piercing, you shouldn't leave the jewelry out for too long.
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