Which Labret Piercing Is Right For You?

A labret piercing (also known as a tongue piercing) is found on a person’s face, below the lower lip but above the chin. There are forms of labret piercings that can be found in various positions, although they are most commonly found centered on the face. The term “labret” is often mispronounced. Contrary to popular belief, the term is not derived from the French language, so the “t” must be pronounced. Traditionally, the labret piercing was a representation of a person’s status within their particular society. In ancient cultures, for example, specifically the Aztecs and Mayans, the labret piercing could only be worn by men in that particular society to emphasize the fact that they came from a higher place in the caste system.

Similarly, each time a mask was made within Northwest Coast Indian society, a labret shape was created on the piece if that mask was a representation of someone of high status. This form of body jewelry is often used as an expression of one’s personality in this country. While a labret piercing may contain a stud or a ring, aesthetically, most people seem to prefer wearing a stud. Another reason for this could be due to the fact that labret dowels are much more practical and easier to change than rings.

With the variety of studs available today, choosing to wear a labret will give you more opportunity to be creative and versatile with your body jewelry. Once the piercing has healed, it is arguable that wearing a labret is the most comfortable of all piercings. This is due to the fact that labret studs have a flat disc that sits comfortably against your gums, so it doesn’t cause irritation. This also means that labret studs are suitable for use on many other body piercings. They would be ideal for use on ear piercings, for example, as their flat backs mean that the studs are less likely to catch on clothing or hair.

Materials that can be used to make labret plugs are titanium, colored titanium, stainless steel, and plastic retainers. Thanks to their almost invisible appearance, the plastic studs are ideal for use in situations where you prefer your piercing to be more discreet, such as during work hours or when attending a job interview. Depending on the position on the face, various types of labret piercings are available. In a vertical labret piercing, for example, a curved bar protrudes from the top of the lower lip and from the center of the upper chin. A snake bite piercing is where two studs are used to look like snake fangs, thanks to their position on the face.

Similarly, spider bite piercings are named for the way they are depicted on a person’s face; They consist of two labret studs that are placed side by side on the same side of the face. The last type of labret piercing, a lowbret, sits as low as possible on a person’s face. With the wide range of labret studs available and the ability to design your own piece of body jewelry now, you can get really creative. With Valentine’s Day, you could use a heart button to show your sensitive side. Or maybe you could choose to incorporate your favorite gemstone into your labret stallion.