Lower Labret Piercings: Exploring Style, Procedure, and Healing

The word 'labret' comes from the Latin word for 'lip'. Because of that, 'labret' is a term used for a type of jewelry used in lip piercings, but also a common term for the popular piercing located below the lower lip. This can be confusing!

At Bodymod, we prefer to use the term "lower labret" to indicate the location of this piercing. However, in general terms, a lower labret - or lowbret - would be placed as close to the chin as possible. A piercing below the lip that is not centered would be called an off-center lower labret. If there is one on each side, they’re called snake bites. And if you have two very close together on one side, it's a spider bite piercing.

What kind of jewelry fits a lower labret?

Surprise: you can wear more than labrets in your lower labret.

In general, it is advisable to use a wire thickness of at least 1.2 mm. People with thick lips prefer 1.6 mm jewelry.

The kinds of lip jewelry you can use in your lower labret are abundant. Rings and horseshoes add a cool edge to your piercing! Furthermore, using PTFE and acrylic jewelry will preserve the health of your gums and teeth.

How do I get a lower labret done?

You will first determine the location of the jewelry. The piercer will then wrap sterile pliers around your lip and insert a needle through it. Don’t worry, the pain is not extreme and is very short-lived.

The piercer will often insert a labret with a rod that’s a bit longer than usual, so the lip has some room to move if it swells up. Once your piercing has completely healed, you can switch to a shorter, more comfortable piece.