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An Ashley piercing is a special type of lip piercing. The piercing location and style are as unique as the name itself.
Many people care about Ashley piercings and want to know if it’s the right one for them.
If that describes you, this post is for you! We’re digging into this piercing style, how it’s done, how to care for it, and the possible complications with it.
What is the Ashley piercing?
The Ashley piercing is a straight lip piercing that goes through the middle of the lower lip and comes out at the back of the lip (into the mouth). It is also known as the “inverted vertical labret piercing.”
How are Ashley piercings done?
Ashley piercings are mostly done with a labret, a small stud used for lip piercings. A professional piercer will insert a cannula needle through the middle of your lower lip and then fix the jewelry.
The Ashley piercing is an inverted vertical piercing, so it enters through the front of the lip but goes out at the back, inside the mouth. Only the front part of the stud is visible in an Ashley piercing. Horizontal lip piercings are different; the jewelry sits horizontally, with both ends visible.
Getting an Ashley piercing
If you’re considering getting an Ashley piercing, here’s what you need to know to prepare.
Do ashley piercings hurt?
Ashley piercings do hurt, but not a lot. They have a moderate pain level of 5 out of 10. Of course, pain tolerance level differs from person to person, so you may find an Ashley piercing less or more painful.
How long does it take the Ashley piercing to heal?
The Ashley piercing takes about 14 weeks to heal. This time frame could vary depending on your body’s healing time and aftercare practice.
💡 Change Like a Pro: After about two weeks following the initial piercing, your piercer will change the piercing jewelry to a smaller piece. You should leave the small jewelry until your Ashley piercing heals completely.
How much do Ashley piercings cost?
Ashley piercings cost about $40-$85, depending on the piercing studio and the type of jewelry you choose. A reputable studio and top-notch jewelry are important for an Ashley piercing, so you should have a generous budget.
How long does your lip stay swollen after an Ashley piercing?
It’s normal to experience swelling on your lip for one or two weeks after getting an Ashley piercing. It’s part of your skin’s natural response to the new piercing.
Ashley piercings pros and cons
Like every other piercing, Ashley piercings come with the good and the bad.
Pros
Here are good reasons to choose an Ashley piercing:
- You can perfectly combine Ashley piercings with other facial piercings like septum and snakebite piercings.
- An Ashley piercing sits in an obvious spot on your face, so it adds style to your look every time.
- Ashley piercings are unique; only confident ones can pull off this look! You make a bold fashion statement when you wear this piercing.
- Ashley piercings accentuate the lip and make it prettier.
- Ashley piercings are not as painful as some body piercings like rook and daith.
Cons
Here’s what’s discouraging about an Ashley piercing:
- If an Ashley piercing migrates, it can lead to permanent scarring on the lip.
- You cannot rock different jewelry on an Ashley piercing. There are very few options available, mostly a small stud.
- An Ashley piercing could damage your teeth and gum if not carefully pierced. You must choose an experienced piercer and strictly follow aftercare measures.
Caring for Ashley piercings
If you want to enjoy the pros of Ashley piercings, you must care for them properly. So, apart from the general guidelines for lip piercings, here are some questions you may have as you care for your ashley piercings.
Why is my Ashley piercing pussing?
If your Ashley piercing is producing pus, it could be infected. It’s normal for a new piercing to feel sore and red and experience some swelling. But when a piercing is pussing, bleeding, and causing you to develop a fever, it is most likely infected. You should go see a doctor as soon as possible.
Why is my lip piercing sinking into my lip?
It’s normal for your lip piercing to sink into the pierced part of your lip. That occurrence is called “nesting”, and it protects your teeth and gum from damage.
💡 Watch Out for Embedding Lip Piercings: You should only be worried if most of the piercing jewelry is sinking and it can no longer move freely within the piercing site. In that case, the piercing has become embedded, and you’ll have to take it out.
How to clean an Ashley piercing
To prevent an Ashley piercing from getting infected, you must clean it correctly. Here’s how to do that:
- Soak a cotton swab in salt and water solution for a few seconds.
- Use the soaked swab to gently clean the piercing site outside your mouth.
- Pour some saltwater into your mouth and gargle to clean the inner part of the piercing.
- Repeat the steps above twice a day, preferably in the morning and at night.
- Rinse with an alcohol-free mouthwash each time you eat to remove leftover food particles.
Complications of Ashley piercings
Because of their delicate location on the lip, Ashley piercings are prone to complications. Here are the most common complications with Ashley piercings.
Infection
Ashley piercings have regular contact with food debris and present bacteria in the mouth, so they are very prone to infections. An infected Ashley piercing looks extremely swollen, red, or dark. It also bleeds and produces pus.
Scarring
Scarring can also occur if an Ashley piercing rejects or migrates. That mostly happens when you use heavy jewelry, when the piercing is healing, or when your skin rejects the jewelry material. As a result, the piercing site may form piercing bumps, stiff hypertrophic scars, or in rare cases, keloids.
Teeth damage
The inner part of an Ashley piercing often hits the tooth enamel, especially when there’s a large piece of jewelry in. In such cases, the enamel may gradually tear away and cause the teeth in that area to crack.
Gum recession
This also occurs in the inner part of the piercing. The jewelry may hit the gum often and cause it to chip off gradually. Gum recession ultimately leads to tooth loss.
Frequently asked questions
If you’re curious about what it’s like living with an Ashley piercing, we’re about to sate your curiosity!
Can you give oral with Ashley piercing?
After your piercing has completely healed, yes. However, you should avoid any form of oral sex during healing. Oral sex causes bacteria exchange between both partners, increasing your chances of infecting an Ashley piercing.
Do Ashley piercings leave a hole?
If you take out an Ashley piercing, it will gradually close up with time, leaving no hole. But it may leave a scar, which in most cases, you can cover up with cosmetics.
How can I hide my Ashley piercing?
A pro tip is to replace the piercing jewelry with a retainer. Retainers are small pieces of jewelry that come in different skin colors. You can also place a bandaid that has your lip color over the piercing site to hide your ashley piercing.
Can you kiss with an Ashley piercing?
Kissing with a healed Ashley piercing is fine; the presence of the jewelry doesn’t make much difference. However, you should avoid kissing when your Ashley piercing is still healing.
How do you take an Ashley piercing out?
To take out an Ashley piercing:
- Use your teeth to hold the inner part of the jewelry.
- Use your thumb and index finger to hold the outer part of the piercing jewelry.
- With your other hand, turn the ball on the stud anticlockwise until it loosens.
- Remove the jewelry from inside your mouth.
Do Ashley piercings scar?
Yes, Ashley piercings leave a scar when you take them out, or they migrate.
Can I put a hoop in my Ashley piercing?
No, labret studs are the safest option for Ashley piercings. Alternatively, you can use a curved barbell.
How do I know if my Ashley piercing is rejecting?
If an Ashley piercing is rejecting, the jewelry will move closer to the lip surface, and you will see more of the stud outside the piercing hole. The piercing hole also becomes bigger, and the initial piercing pain and soreness may worsen instead of reduce.
Is it normal for Ashley piercing to bleed?
It is normal for an Ashley piercing to bleed a little for the first few days. However, if you continuously experience a lot of bleeding from your piercing, you should go back to your piercer or see a doctor.
Best rings for Ashley lip piercings
Ashley piercings are best done with small labret studs. To reduce the risk of irritation, the ring should also be hypoallergenic. Here are our top picks that meet these requirements:
Surgical steel labret stud
This ring is available in bar lengths 6mm to 12mm. It is made from surgical steel, so it’s hypoallergenic and safe for Ashley piercings.
Titanium labret stud
This ring is 6mm long and made from titanium, one of the safest metals for sensitive skin. In addition, it is lead and nickel-free, so there are slim chances of irritating an Ashley piercing.
316L surgical steel labret stud
This ring is also made from surgical steel, and it’s specifically marked “316L”, showing it’s hypoallergenic. It is 8mm long.
Get that Ashley
Ashley piercings add a bold and beautiful touch to the lips. Although they do have their risks, Ashley piercings are a fun way to switch up your style. By taking necessary precautions, like going to an experienced piercer and using safe jewelry, you can minimize the risks and have a great Ashley piercing experience!
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