The vertical labret is one of the most unique facial piercings that has become a trend in the last decade. During this procedure, the lower lip will be pierced, passing up through the top, which allows both ends of the piercing to become visible. The healing process is fast and easy, and those who receive it can eat anything that they want.
You will need to avoid hard foods that require intensive chewing after this procedure
to ensure that it heals properly.
If you are thinking about having a new piercing done, then here are the pros and cons of the vertical labret to consider.
List of the Pros of the Vertical Labret
1. The jewelry is very affordable with the vertical labret.
As with most types of vertical lip piercings, your provider will offer a curved barbell as one of your standard jewelry options after the procedure. Most individuals receive a piercing that permits a 14G to 16G item, though you can customize the look by trying something smaller or larger based on your personal preferences. The total cost of the item will depend on the materials and size that you choose. Titanium barbells are typically $40 or less, but you can opt for stainless steel, which goes for $10.
2. It can heal significantly faster than other piercing types.
Although the eight-week healing period for a vertical labret is longer than some piercings, such as the tongue, it is much faster than most external procedures you can receive. Earlobes typically heal in about the same amount of time. It can take up to one year for the cartilage in your ear to heal correctly. If you decide to get your nasal septum pierced, it may take up to eight months for a recovery. Belly button piercings can take upwards of 1 year to heal sometimes as well.
3. It is a way to express yourself that is safe and without permanence.
Piercing your lip is an easy and affordable way to express yourself in way that makes you comfortable in your own skin. Some people might associate this activity with being rebellious, but it is more an expression of independence than anything else. You can place the vertical labret in a location that works best for you, achieve the results you want, and then approach life with the exact expression that you want. For some, that may be an artistic outlook on life, while for others, there may be an intimate reason for wanting the work done.
If you’re not sure that the vertical labret still looks right after having it for a couple of years, then you can decide to take it out without a significant physical impact. It does not stretch out your lip like other options that are available.
4. A vertical labret can be an easy way to raise your self-esteem.
Lip piercings do look good on some people. What matters more than what other people think is what you believe a vertical labret will do to help your appearance. This procedure can help to provide you with much higher levels of self-esteem if the result matches what you expect your reflection to be in your mind’s eye. It can also be a lot of fun to go shopping for the barbells and jewelry options because you’re adding another accessory that tells the world about your personality.
5. It can stimulate unique feelings for the mouth in various ways.
There are unique stimulations that occur with the vertical labret when considering an intimate moment. It can also impact the way that you enjoy food in positive ways once the healing process completes itself. Although there are some risks of gum damage and additional oral health concerns with frequent wear, your piercer can help you to find alternatives for your barbell that will help you to achieve the look you want without putting your health at risk.
List of the Cons of the Vertical Labret
1. The jewelry must be internally threaded and of the correct diameter.
You must work with your piercing provider to ensure that the jewelry you wear meets the dimensions of the vertical labret. That means the barbell must be internally threaded and of the correct diameter for this procedure to be a successful experience. If the barbell does not meet the needs of the new piercing, then it can harm you at the region of placement. Should this happen, you might experience more pain, swelling, and the piercing might take longer to heal.
2. It takes up to 8 weeks for it to heal correctly under normal conditions.
Anyone who receives the vertical labret must be able to take care of their piercing area correctly for it to heal quickly and effectively. Expect up to eight weeks under regular care conditions for the lip to begin returning back to normal. Some individuals can experience a shorter recovery time because of the natural processes of their body.
Taking care of your new piercing requires thorough hygiene. You must wash it with sterilized water using God as to avoid any contamination of the wound. You cannot use items like hydrogen peroxide or Betadine because this might damage the cells as they heal. Most piercers recommend using a sterile saline solution.
3. There is always a small risk of an infection.
You must take proper care of your new lip piercing to avoid any health complications. Even when you follow all the steps offered by your provider, there is still a small risk that an infection could develop. When this situation occurs, it can cause your lip to swell to an unnatural size, making it a challenge to eat something because of the pain and sensitivity involved. There is a risk of scarring associated with infection as well, along with a very rare condition that can cause blood poisoning.
4. Some people may not be able to have this procedure completed.
Although a lip piercing procedure is generally safe when performed by a professional, there are times when the vertical labret should not be done. Anyone who is taking a blood thinning medication should speak with their doctor first before having this procedure completed. Because the jewelry can sometimes chip teeth, someone with dental implants would want to speak with their medical provider first as well.
5. You may be allergic to the metals that are used for the barbells in a vertical labret.
Titanium and stainless steel are the two most common metals that are used in the barbells for this lip piercing procedure. Although allergies to these metals are rare, with a titanium allergy risk of 0.6% in the general population, that does mean there are 1.8 million people in the United States who may not benefit from this procedure.
If you do have an allergy to the metals used in your barbells, then you may experience several uncomfortable side effects until the item is removed.
• You may develop a rash or hives anywhere on your body.
• There can be sores and swelling that develop around your lip.
• Some people may experience chronic inflammation in their gums.
• It can sometimes interfere with the healing process.
6. There are chronic health issues to consider with a lip piercing.
Despite all of the benefits that come with the vertical labret, there are chronic health risks to consider from the procedure itself. There is a small risk that one of your facial nerves could be impacted negatively by having the barbell placed in your lip. It comes with an even smaller risk of striking a blood vessel that could require medical attention to repair the issue. There is also the chance that the jewelry could be ripped out of your lip if the item were to catch on something. The likelihood that one of these adverse issues would happen to you is remote, but it is still a disadvantage to consider.
7. It can be difficult to avoid playing with the jewelry.
When you receive a new piercing, it can be tempting do you want to play with it during moments of down time. The healing process around the barbell will also create a crusted area that you may want to loosen because it feels bothersome. You should not turn, pull, or twist your jewelry during the 8-week recover period because it could push bacteria into the piercing, which would further increase the chances of an infection developing.
The pros and cons of having the vertical labret involve the health risks you’re willing to face to create a look that you love when you catch a glimpse of your reflection in the mirror. This lip piercing offers a fun and unique option to do something different than everyone else in your social sphere. Speak with a local provider about this option, inspect their facilities for cleanliness, and ask to see their portfolio first before deciding to hire someone to pierce your lip.