One style advice I always tell people is this: “Let your outfit do the talking.” The premise is, your mouth has been saying too much already. So, why not stay quiet and let what you wear speak for you? One way to follow this advice is by wearing statement outfits, tattoos, or body modifications like Ashley piercing.
With that piercing, even when your mouth is shut, your lips will still do the talking. Why? Because it’s a type of lip piercing.
Your being on this page means either of two things:
- You’re curious to know more about this body modification.
- You’re contemplating trying it out and need to be sure before taking the plunge.
Whichever intent it is that drew you here, one thing is sure: you’ll find the answers if you keep reading. So, let’s dive in.
What is an Ashley Piercing?
It’s a body modification that involves making a single piercing through the center point of the lower lip that exits through the back of the lip into the mouth. Its official name is inverted vertical labret piercing as it goes from the lip to the insides of the mouth with only the jewel visible on the lip. As such, it’s the opposite of the classic vertical labret piercing which features a jewel that goes directly under the bottom lip and pops out at the top of the bottom lip.
Like other types of lip piercing, the Ashley piercing is a classic way to make a statement and impress anyone that meets you. But before you head straight to your piercer, here’s something worthy of note.
Just as with any piercing, inverted vertical labret has a risk of infection. And to stay safe, Joshua Zeichner, MD, Associate Professor and Director of Cosmetic & Clinical Research at the Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, advises that only piercers who have experience with lip piercings should do them. In his words:
“It is important that the person creating the piercing is intimately [knowledgeable about] the anatomy of the lip so as not to damage any blood vessels or nerves that run in the area in question.”
Does the Ashley Piercing Hurt?
Every piercing hurts. It’s akin to a nurse piercing an injection into your buttock. You’ll feel pain, right? But this pain differs depending on your individual pain tolerance. So, while you may find the inverted vertical labret painful, another person won’t.
However, inverted vertical labret isn’t particularly painful. The pain is usually brief and subsides quickly once the piercing is done. This doesn’t discredit the pain, and most times swelling, that comes with it though.
It’s why it’s crucial to adopt proper aftercare to avoid complications such as infection that can mar your face.
How Long Does Ashley Piercing Take to Heal?
The average healing time for an Ashley piercing is around 12 to 16 weeks. During this time you’ll have to change your jewelry from the initial barbell your piercer used.
Why’s this Piercing Called Ashley?
There’s little information as to how this piercing got its nickname. But it’s suspected it’s either named after its inventor, the first person to wear it, or the person who popularized it.
Why You Should Wear an Ashley Piercing
This body modification is eye-catching. In fact, it’s one of the first things people would notice on your face as it makes your mouth the center of attention. And when you complement it with a bold lipstick color, your lips become more pronounced.
Furthermore, you can pair it with other lip piercings, double nose piercing, or anyone on other parts of your body. The best part is, it isn’t as painful as getting a tattoo.
Why You Shouldn’t Pierce Your Lips
This body modification comes with a price—pain. So you have to be ready to stomach it. Furthermore, it comes with swelling and the healing time is a tad long. You should be ready to cope with the inconvenience until it completely heals.
In addition, this piercing stays on a conspicuous part of your body. And if your profession or religion frowns at such body modification, it will be difficult to hide it.
Is It Hard To Kiss With Ashley Piercing?
No, it’s not hard. You can kiss with an Ashley piercing. You just have to make sure your lips are completely healed so you don’t introduce bacteria to your piercing.
And when it’s completely healed, you (or your partner) will have to get used to an obstruction (the jewelry) whenever you lock lips. Hear more from Body Candy:
“The act of kissing may also introduce bacteria, bodily fluids, or debris (think lip balm, lipstick, or other beauty products) into your fresh piercing. The movement of kissing may also jostle or irritate the piercing, causing a prolonged healing time; irritation; or damage to your fragile new mod. Any of these outside influences could cause a piercing bump to form, which is unsightly and uncomfortable… The last thing you want around your beautiful new jewelry is a stubborn piercing bump!”
Side Effects of Ashey Piercing
Swelling
It’s normal for lip piercings to swell. It’s why your piercer would likely use a bar initially to accommodate the swelling when it happens. But don’t panic when you notice your lip is swelling. Relax, for it’s healing.
Scarring
When your jewelry or lips get irritated, it could cause a scar on your pierced lip. And if you’re lucky enough, the scar will be hidden underneath your jewel.
So, it’s best to treat any irritation once you notice it.
Infection
Any piercing that goes from the outside to the inside of the lip can cause an infection. If you notice prolonged redness, burning, swelling, itching, or pain around the affected area, seek medical attention. It could be an infection.
Jewelry For An Ashley Piercing?
Labret stud
This jewelry is made of a non-allergenic metal, such as titanium. It comes with a fixed, flat back and a threaded, removable accessory that looks like like a ball, on the front. They’re mostly used for lip piercings but can also be used on ear or nose piercings. To pierce them in, your piercer will have to first mark the area, then pass a needle through the skin before installing the jewelry.
Stainless Steel
This is one of the safest materials for piercing. But be careful though. Stainless steel most times contains nickel which can lead to infection.
Sterling Silver
Sterling silver comes in handy when you pierce your lip. But since it’s not pure metal, it’s soft, and as such, prone to bacteria.
Gold
If you love gold, here’s your time to let it shine on your lips. But it’s advisable you wear a metal with a 14 karat purity or above lest the metal should become brittle and harbor bacteria.
Aftercare Routine for Ashey Piercing
- Keep the area clean at all times.
- Try not to wear lipstick or lip balm while your lip is still healing.
- Do not play with the jewelry.
- Rinse your mouth with only alcohol-free mouthwash. Avoid any mouthwash that contains alcohol.
- Don’t wear jewelry that is too tight.
- Dip a cotton pad in a saline solution and cleanse your piercing with it.
- Avoid spicy and hot food ad try to chew slowly while eating.
- Chew slowly.
- Don’t touch or bite your piercing while it’s healing.
How Much Does it Cost to Get an Ashley Piercing?
The answer to this question depends on your location and the piercer’s price. But on average, your budget should be $40 upwards.
Inverted Vertical Labret Piercing Will Enhance Your Face
As you’ve seen in the photos in this post, inverted vertical labret is great. So, if you’re doubting if it would suit your face, there’s no need to.
Just go to a good piercer, choose the perfect jewel, and have it installed on your lip. You can combine it with other facial piercings or let it shine with your earrings. Anyone you want is fine and will still present you as the daring fashionista that you are.
