I had wanted to get a lip piercing for years, but it was always totally out of the question with my parents. After getting my navel done for my 18th, I was put off the idea of getting anything on my face pierced, due to a bad experience where the piercer pushed through jewelry smaller than the gauge he had pierced my navel with.
At A Glance Author cashatesyou Contact cashatesyou@bme.anon When It just happened Studio Alien 3 Location Sunshine, Melbourne, Australia So, the idea of a facial piercing was effectively pushed out of mind, much to the delight of my parents. Unfortunately for them, earlier this year, I warmed up to the idea again. After doing much research and looking at pictures, I decided that I wanted to get a Vertical Labret piercing. I talked it over with my parents, and they came to the realization that I was turning 19, so it really was my decision.
A few days before my 19th birthday, my mum and I went to find a piercing studio, steering clear of the folks who pierced my navel. After a recommendation from friends of my brother, we ended up at Alien 3, a tattoo studio. I was slightly apprehensive at this stage, due to the piercing not being seen much in our area. However, I was too excited to pull out now.
I enquired about the piercing, and at first he didn't know what I meant, assuming I wanted a normal labret. I explained to him exactly what it was I wanted and he assured me he could do it. He took me into a room and sat me in a dentists chair and got all his tools ready. After cleaning and marking my lip, we both made sure it was straight and I was sat back down.
Instead of tightening the clamp on my lip, he decided it would be best for him to just hold it as tight as he could, to try and prevent unnecessary pain. I felt the needle going through my lip, but it wasn't extremely painful. I mean sure, it hurt, but it wasn't unbearable and after it was done, there was a feeling of relief. The part that hurt the most was the extra push he had to give the needle to get it through the top of my lip. He inserted the jewelry but had some difficulty screwing the ball on. I was starting to get anxious, but eventually he managed to do it up and I finally got the chance to look at my new baby.
I was instantly in love, apart from the blood covering my chin. I love its placement and the size of it. It's not overwhelming and I have actually been told it's not too noticeable and doesn't jump out at people straight away when talking to me. It takes them a few minutes to register that I have a piece of metal in my lip.
It's been about 4 days now and I have to say I've had no trouble with it thus far. It didn't swell that much, I haven't had any pain and cleaning it has been a synch. I do sea salt soaks twice a day and make sure to wash it after I eat. The main problem is the dryness of my lips, but I've found that applying lip balm on the sides, making sure they don't touch the holes has really helped. Also, ice is great initially after the piercing to suck on and help any swelling. I also find it good to just rub on your lips to soothe the dryness, just try to not hit the actual piercing itself as that may be slightly painful.
As far as eating and drinking are concerned, I've found straws to be an awesome tool. Eating is fine, as long as I cut my food small enough so it doesn't knock my piercing around. Brushing teeth is slightly awkward at the moment, but I manage. When I first got it, it hurt to smile and talk, but now I hardly even notice it there when talking, although I can still feel it when I smile or laugh. I've also found that when I wake up in the morning, the ball tends to try and stick to my lip so when I clean it, I gently move the piercing up.
I love the look of this piercing as I find it enhances my lips, rather than overpowering my face. People who told me not to get it, now love it and can't believe how it's turned out. It certainly has been a total turn around. The guy who pierced it also loved it and told me he was going to pierce his later on that day.
While my parents, especially my dad, are still a bit apprehensive about it they are getting used to it. My mum can't help but stare at my lip when I am talking to her, which is kind of funny. I think I find that with most people, they can't help but look at it once they have noticed it, for a while at least.
I think anyone considering a vertical labret piercing should go ahead and do it. If it feels right to you, then it probably is. Don't let what others say interfere too much. It's expected to hurt, but it really isn't as bad as you might think. It's a beautiful piercing that really is worth the 5 or so seconds of discomfort. I'd also recommend Alien 3. The piercer is a really friendly guy, who is very professional and doesn't prolong the experience more than necessary.