Labret piercings involve the lower lip and have a long history in tribal cultures. There are various styles of labret jewelry, but they require special care and may not be socially accepted in some regions. Prospective piercers should research and carefully consider the piercing before committing.
The term “labret” is used both to refer to a type of body piercing and to the jewelry used in that piercing. Such piercings are very common in many counterculture groups, especially the gothic community, and also have a long history among Native Americans and other tribal peoples. As is the case with any body piercing, you should think carefully about a labret before getting one, and you should carefully research body piercing shops before committing to one.
The root of the word is the Latin word labrum, which means “lip.” Technically, a labret is any type of piercing that involves the lip, although most people use the term specifically to refer to lower lip piercings, particularly those that are closer to the chin. When referring to jewelry, a labret is any type of jewelry designed to be worn in such a lip piercing.
There are numerous styles of labret, and prospective piercers should discuss these with a piercer, as not all styles are right for everyone. Most people think of a single stud in the upper chin region when they hear the term labret, but this is just the beginning of a plethora of options. A vertical labret, for example, goes through the top of the lower lip, while snakebites are paired labret piercings. A lowbret sits lower on the face and closer to the chin.
As with all oral piercings, a labret requires special care and jewelry. It is important to wear appropriate jewelery to reduce the risk of damage to the teeth and to ensure that the jewelery does not become embedded in the lip. Many people wear rings in their labret piercings, although a labret stud can also be used. Labret studs are designed with a wide plate that is inserted into the mouth and a screw-in attachment such as a ball or spike to the outside of the piercing.
Although the labret piercing has become much more common, it is far from being socially accepted in many regions. People with these piercings may have difficulty finding employment, and may also struggle with their dentists or doctors when they require medical attention. People who are interested in the piercing should be aware of this, and should also commit to at least six weeks of healing time before removing the piercing, to ensure that infection does not take hold.
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