NEW PIERCING!

Wow, it’s only been a few weeks since I finally got my vertical labret piercing, and I’m still buzzing about it! You might have seen my initial post, but I wanted to dive deeper into the whole experience now that I'm a bit further along in the healing journey. For those of you searching for details, I hope my honest take helps! First off, let’s talk about the big one: pain. When I first mentioned it was a 5/10, some of you might have pictured something intense. Honestly, for me, it was a sharp, quick pinch, but very manageable. The piercer was super professional, and it was over in a flash. The initial soreness felt more like I’d bitten my lip hard, rather than a throbbing pain. Everyone's pain tolerance is different, but if you're on the fence because of fear of pain, I'd say don't let it stop you. It’s temporary! Now, the healing process. This is where the real commitment comes in. My original post mentioned the constant cleaning, and yes, it’s still a daily chore, but it's crucial! I’m doing saline soaks twice a day, and after every meal, I gently rinse my mouth and dab around the piercing with saline solution on a clean paper towel. It’s definitely getting less annoying now that the initial swelling has gone down. One thing I was a bit worried about was the 'vertical labret hole getting bigger' query I saw people asking about. For me, it was just initial swelling making the area look a bit larger. As the swelling subsides, the piercing settles perfectly. It’s important to distinguish between normal swelling during healing and an actual issue like jewelry migration or rejection. If you see actual tearing or significant enlargement that persists, that's definitely a sign to chat with your piercer. A lot of you also asked about how a vertical labret piercing looks, especially on full lips. I have pretty full lips myself, and I think it really enhances them! It sits beautifully on the vermilion border, giving a subtle but noticeable accent without interfering with the natural curve of my lip. I’ve seen some awesome 'vertical labret piercing close up' shots online, and I can confirm it’s a very elegant piercing. It doesn't go through the inside of your mouth like a standard labret, which is a huge plus for dental health and comfort. Speaking of other lip piercings, some people confuse it with a 'small ashley lip piercing' or a 'central labret'. A vertical labret is distinct because it enters and exits on the outside of the lip, creating a 'double bead' look on the top and bottom. An Ashley piercing typically goes through the center of the lip and exits inside the mouth, while a central labret goes straight through the lip into the mouth from the outside. The vertical labret avoids the teeth and gums, which was a big reason I chose it! Finally, is a 'vertical labret a temporary piercing'? Well, it's as permanent as any other piercing, meaning if you take it out, the hole will eventually close up. However, the skin might retain a small mark or scar, especially if you've had it for a long time. It's not designed to be temporary in the sense that you'd remove it frequently, but if you decide it's not for you, it can be retired. Overall, I'm absolutely loving my new vertical labret! It's been an adventure, from the initial pinch to the diligent cleaning, but totally worth it. If you're considering one, do your research, find a reputable piercer, and be prepared for the aftercare. And maybe rock some fun pigtails like I often do to complete the look! Let me know if you have any questions below!