I first learned of the vertical labret on this site and I loved it the moment I saw it. I read another person say that it looked like a little pearl between the two lips. How sexy is that? I just knew that I had to have one. I had been looking to get pierced for some time now but just didn't know what or where. I wanted it to be unique and get something that not many people have but I didn't want to be a "freak" as my mom would say. After looking online at pictures and reading everyone else's experiences, I prepared myself and decided that I would do it after all. I picked the day, knowing I had the next 4 days off from work, I figured that would give me enough time to get used to it.
At A Glance Author Shanda Contact Shanda@bme.anon When A month ago Studio CheapTrx Location St. Louis, MO I got off work and had to, ironically enough, go to the doctor the same day for a check up. I told him of my plans of a new piercing after he begged me to take my navel one out. He went into a long speak about how it could get infected and so on. I told him that I would do my best to keep it clean and not get infected. He disapproved but he couldn't convince me and I went on my way. I couldn't find anyone to go with me so I sucked it up and went alone. I did the same thing when I got my navel done, so I was kind of a pro at doing things by myself. I didn't start to get really stared until I actually got there. I talked to them a bit before getting it done, although they don't call it a vertical labret, they call it an "angel." I'm not sure why but I guess I've been kissed by an angel or something.
Once I was finally ready, he measured my lip to find a perfect fitting barbell and he did, it was curved, he said that it doesn't matter if its straight or curved. I had read online that everyone else that got it done, had always used a larger barbell because it may swell. I just figured that is what my piercer would do the same but it turns out that it was a perfect fit. I will tell you how that went later. He also said that the barbell would be in the center of my bottom lip but that it will not match up the center of my teeth. He said that most peoples' will not and that makes sense.
He sterilized my lips and then put blue dots on my lips as entrance and exit holes and put the clamp on. I was the most scared at this point. Thinking it was going to hurt like nothing I have ever felt before. I was nervous and I told him that I might pass out afterwards. He comforted me saying people did it all time. Once I saw him reach for the needle, I said, "I am just going to close my eyes, tell me when its done." I grabbed the arms of the chair, he told me to take a deep breath in and breathe out. I felt the needle going through my lip, it hurt a lot but it was bearable, That is a lot coming from me. After that he put the barbell in it was over. I was so happy but I think I was a little over whelmed because I started to get dizzy. He let me laid me down for a minute and I felt better.
Once I saw myself in the mirror I was in love with it! It was everything that I hoped for. I paid my $60, left him a tip and I was on my way with care instructions in hand. According to it, healing time is 6-8 weeks but I can't take it out for 6 months. I went to the store purchased some antibacterial soap and Bacitracin (Anti-infection ointment). I followed the directions washing it every time I ate and applied the ointment to it as well. I would recommend using a straw for the first couple days to drink because you might end up with it all down your shirt.
After the initial piercing I didn't get any pain or soreness to my lip, which made me ecstatic. It did swell a little bit about 24 hours later and that lasted like 4 days. The instructions said to take Ibuprofen for swelling but I'm allergic to it, so I just skipped it. Like I said earlier, the barbell was a perfect fit so the swelling made it a bit tight but I didn't worry about it at all. After the swelling went down, it was better.
It has now been almost 3 weeks now I still clean it but only twice a day now, I can drink and eat normal finally. My boyfriend is also very happy that I can kiss him again and I think he is finally getting used to it. I would defiantly recommend this to anyone. Email me if you want more information. I hope to have pictures online in a couple weeks too.