Written for Medical Realities by Getter Rob on September 12, 2025

Vertical Lip Piercing Basics

A vertical lip piercing (aka a vertical labret piercing) runs straight through the center of your lower lip and exits just under it. It sits fully outside the mouth, so it’s super visible compared to other oral piercings. Heads-up: lips are loaded with nerve endings, so this one can sting more than a lobe or helix. Always book with a licensed pro who uses sterile, single-use needles and sealed jewelry.

What the Appointment Looks Like

Your piercer will mark two points—one on the lip, one just below it—clean the area, and pass a needle vertically through your bottom lip. You’ll feel a quick, sharp pinch followed by a warm throb. Most studios start you with a slightly longer curved barbell to leave room for piercing swelling. Ask to see sterilization indicators and make sure they open the jewelry bag in front of you.

Jewelry That Plays Nice With Skin

For first jewelry, stick to implant-grade titanium body jewelry (ASTM F-136) or solid 14k–18k gold. High-quality surgical steel can work for some, but people sensitive to nickel should avoid it. Acrylic is light but not ideal long-term. Once you’re healed, you can swap styles, but keep the diameter and shape your piercer recommends so the angle of a vertical labret piercing stays comfy.

How It Can Affect Your Health

Even in a spotless studio, your lip lives a messy life—food, drinks, makeup, and a lot of touching. Possible bumps in the road:

• Rejection or migration: Your body may try to push the jewelry out, especially if sizing or angle is off.
• Allergic reactions: Nickel (and sometimes chromium) can trigger dermatitis. That’s why titanium or real gold is the safer bet.
• Scarring: Irritation bumps or thicker scar tissue can develop, especially if you twist or overclean.
• Swelling and soreness: A few days is normal. If it’s ballooning, hot, and getting worse after a week, call your piercer or a clinician.

Vertical Lip Piercing Infections

Mouth bacteria are no joke. Signs of an oral piercing infection include heat, throbbing pain, thick yellow/green discharge, bad taste/odor, fever, or the skin looking shiny and tight. Don’t remove the jewelry on your own—closing the hole can trap the infection. Reach your piercer or an urgent care; they’ll guide next steps.

Day-to-Day Aftercare That Actually Works

Think “clean and hands-off.” This is the vibe for lip piercing aftercare:

• Rinse gently with sterile saline or alcohol-free mouth rinse after meals and before bed for the first 2–4 weeks.
• Outside skin: twice daily, spray or soak with sterile saline; pat dry with clean gauze. No alcohol, peroxide, or ointments.
• Don’t twist, flip, or “check if it’s stuck.” Movement = irritation.
• Skip spicy, acidic, and super-hot foods for a few days; use a straw if helpful.
• No smoking or vaping if you can help it; both slow healing.
• Avoid kissing and oral contact until your piercer says you’re in the clear.
• Change pillowcases often; keep makeup and balms away from the entry/exit.

Healing time is usually 8–12 weeks on the outside and longer for full tissue strength. Book a downsize appointment once swelling drops so the bar isn’t catching on teeth or pulling on skin.

Who Should Hit Pause

Consider waiting—or choosing a different spot—if you:

• Have uncontrolled diabetes or an immune condition that slows healing
• Are prone to keloids or heavy scarring
• Have active cold sores or cracked lips
• Can’t avoid nicotine for the first couple of weeks
• React to nickel (choose titanium/gold only)

If you’re on blood thinners or have a bleeding disorder, talk to your healthcare provider first.

Quick Troubleshooting

• Irritation bump: Usually friction or overcleaning. Downsize the bar when told, switch to saline-only care, and stop touching.
• Chipping teeth or gum irritation: The bar may be too long or the angle off. See your piercer to adjust jewelry length/shape.
• Persistent redness or heat: Treat it like a possible infection and get professional advice fast.

Good-to-Know Extras

• Sun and wind can chap a fresh piercing—use a plain, unscented balm around (not on) the holes if your piercer okays it.
• Gyms and pools: avoid for at least the first couple of weeks; pools/hot tubs are high risk for bacteria.
• Keep a spare labret post on hand once healed; losing jewelry overnight can let the hole shrink fast.

Notes & buying tips (U.S. market):

• For fresh vertical labret piercings, most pros recommend implant-grade titanium with a slightly longer curved barbell to accommodate swelling; downsize after 2–4 weeks per your piercer.
• If choosing gold, look for solid 14k–18k, nickel-free; avoid gold-plated, gold-filled, or vermeil for initial wear.
• “Surgical steel” varies—aim for ASTM F138/ISO 5832-1; skip if you have nickel sensitivity.
• Threadless (push-fit) or internally threaded jewelry reduces tissue irritation versus external threads.
• Typical U.S. studio pricing includes sterilization and pro fitting; online pieces can be cheaper but verify material certifications.

Vertical Labret Infections: What to Watch For

A lip piercing lives in the splash zone—food, drinks, makeup, and everyday mouth bacteria all hang out there. That’s why a vertical labret needs tight hygiene from day one.

How to spot an infection

Thick or yellow/green discharge, heat, swelling that isn’t going down, spreading redness, burning or sharp pain, or sudden tenderness/itching are classic infection signs. On lighter skin it may look bright red; on darker skin it can appear deeper or dusky. A little clear/whitish crust early on is normal; worsening symptoms aren’t.

Don’t yank the jewelry—call a pro

If you think it’s infected, leave the jewelry in so the channel doesn’t seal bacteria inside. Reach out to your piercer or doctor—sometimes antibiotics are needed, especially with fever, red streaking, or escalating pain.

Smart ways to dodge infection

• Book with a licensed, experienced piercer who uses sterile, single-use needles and implant-grade metals like titanium.
• Hands off unless you’re cleaning—wash first.
• Clean the outside twice daily with sterile saline; inside the mouth, rinse gently with alcohol-free mouth rinse or plain saline after meals.
• Soften crusts (warm saline compress), then wipe—never twist dry jewelry.
• Skip oral sex, deep kissing, and spicy/acidic foods while healing.
• Avoid alcohol-based mouthwashes—they’re too harsh for fresh tissue.

Vertical Labret Aftercare: Daily Playbook

Most vertical labrets take 6–8 weeks to settle, but healing varies by anatomy and lifestyle. Swelling in the first 48–72 hours is common; your piercer likely fitted a slightly longer curved bar to allow for that, then downsizes once swelling fades. 

Clean routine (outside + inside)

• Cleaning: Use a sterile saline solution to clean the piercing twice a day. You can also use a non-alcoholic mouthwash to keep the rest of your mouth clean.
• Avoid: During healing, refrain from touching the piercing with dirty hands, swimming in public water, and applying cosmetics like lipstick or chapstick to the area.
• Oral contact: Avoid kissing and oral sex during the healing process to prevent introducing bacteria.
• Eating and drinking: Be careful when eating and chewing. Avoid spicy, acidic, or very hot foods that can irritate the piercing. 
• Outside (twice daily): Wash hands → saline soak/compress 3–5 minutes → pat dry with clean gauze.
• Inside (after meals): Swish with alcohol-free mouth rinse or mild saline.
• Don’t spin or twist the jewelry when dry; micro-tears invite bacteria.
• Keep fabrics off it (beanies, towels, pillowcases). Change pillowcases often; avoid makeup on the site.
• No pools, hot tubs, or lake swims until fully healed.

Who Should Hit Pause on a Vertical Lip Piercing

Consider waiting or getting medical advice first if you’re:

• Pregnant
• Immunocompromised
• Prone to keloids
• Dealing with active eczema/dermatitis around the mouth
• Sensitive to pressure (dermographism)
• In contact/ball sports during the healing window

If you still want the look, discuss timing, low-profile ends, and mouthguards with a pro. Choosing implant-grade titanium and sticking to solid aftercare lowers risk.

Quick Gear Notes (for smoother healing)

• Start with a curved barbell in implant-grade titanium (nickel-free, lightweight).
• Use internally threaded or threadless posts to reduce snagging.
• Downsize the bar (with your piercer) once swelling drops to cut friction and accidental biting.