The Ashley Piercing: A Minimalist Yet Gorgeous Piercing for Your Lips

Are you tired of basic ear piercings? Here’s an idea: why not have the Ashley piercing?

As one of the few lip piercings that are actually visible, this piercing offers a gorgeous look that pairs well with any color of lipstick. It’s the perfect piercing for anyone who wants to emphasize their beautiful lips or wants a different kind of accessory.

While the Ashley lip piercing is similar to the vertical labret piercing, the exit puncture of this one appears inside of the mouth instead of your lips. The best part about this piercing is that it is both minimalistic and attention-catching at the same time. Just decorate your piercing with a charm, gemstone or a simple bead and you’re good to go.

However, this special lip piercing is located in an area that experiences plenty of movement. Its close proximity to the mouth means that it has a higher exposure to bacteria than other lip piercing types. To prevent infections, you’ll need a thorough aftercare routine.

Here’s everything you need to know about the Ashley piercing.

What is the Ashley Piercing?

Ashley piercings are single piercings that go directly through the middle of your bottom lip and exit through the back of the lip. As for its name, there is no exact origin. Some people assume that the first piercing was done by someone named Ashley. But the technical name for this piercing is an inverted vertical labret.

This piercing is also more involved since they are pierced according to your body. Reckless piercings might lead to a lopsided look. Before you go ahead and have an Ashley piercing, consult with your piercer first. They will take into account the anatomy of your teeth and lips to ensure the placement is perfect and that the procedure is safe. They will also make sure that the piercing won’t hit any of your veins or damage the lining of your gums.

As with any piercing project, it’s best to have a trained piercer do the job. It’s easy to get the job wrong and cause trauma to the skin. So, make sure that your piercer knows the anatomy of the lip so it won’t damage your nerves or blood vessels.

How Much Does the Ashley Piercing Hurt?

While this piercing sits on your lip (aka one of the body’s most sensitive parts), an Ashley lip piercing’s pain level isn’t as high as you think. People who’ve gotten this piercing report mid-level discomfort that eventually goes away.

Your pain tolerance impacts the discomfort you might feel after the procedure. If you have low pain tolerance, let your piercer know so they can guide you through breathing exercises. You can also ask them to be as light-handed as possible.

After the procedure, you’ll likely experience some swelling and throbbing. Don’t panic; it’s OK! Your piercer will fit you with longer jewelry to make space for the swelling. During the first days, monitor the Ashley piercing jewelry to make sure the stud’s ends don’t press against the wound.

Once the swelling has subsided, switch to a smaller jewelry piece to keep it away from your teeth (no one enjoys chomping on their jewelry!).

How Long Does an Ashley Piercing Take to Heal?

Typically, an Ashley piercing can heal in three to four months. However, the healing process can take longer depending on your body’s ability to heal and your care. Piercings can also look as if they’re 100 percent healed, so you should always talk to your piercer and have them look at them

. If they say your piercing is OK, you’re free to stop your aftercare routines.

How Much is an Ashley Lip Piercing?

The cost of your Ashley lip piercing depends on different factors, which include the piercer’s experience, the shop and your location. The prices range from $40 to $80.

If you’re on a budget, it’s tempting to go with the most affordable piercer in town. But since this lip piercing is a sensitive project, it’s best to work with a professional piercer. Be careful with having your piercing done at cheap prices; you might get what you paid for.

What are the Side Effects of an Ashley Piercing?

• If you get an Ashley piercing, you might have a scar, especially if the jewelry is irritated during the healing process. While they aren’t harmful, they could mess with the piercing site. If the irritation persists, a keloid might also develop. This is a build-up of scar tissue around the piercing.
• Due to the nature of the Ashley lip piercing, you have a higher risk of developing infections since the food can get stuck around the piercing. If you notice prolonged itching, burning, redness or swelling, seek medical attention ASAP.
• It’s common for lip piercings to cause swelling. Once your piercing has healed, change out your piercings to accommodate the swelling.

How To Clean the Ashley Piercing

To speed up the recovery process and keep your lip clean, use a saltwater solution for cleaning. Apply the solution to your lips using cotton wool. Swill it around your mouth to clean the inside of your Ashley lip piercing. Always clean your piercing twice a day to prevent infections.

Always carry your toothbrush or mouthwash with you to clean your mouth after eating. Practicing regular oral hygiene cleans your mouth from debris and helps your piercing heal easily.

How To Choose the Best Jewelry for Your Ashley Piercing

The following materials are perfect for people with an Ashley lip piercing.

• Titanium. If you’re worried about experiencing irritation or an allergic reaction, titanium is the safest option. It doesn’t contain nickel, it’s lightweight and it won’t tarnish.
• Gold. If you want gold on your lips, choose an Ashley piercing jewelry that is 14 karats or higher. Otherwise, the metal could be too soft for use.
• Stainless steel. Implant grade stainless steel is one of the most common materials used in jewelry. However, it contains nickel, which could cause allergies. It is considered safe, though.
• Sterling silver. Sterling silver is one of the best choices, but if you want to use silver, make sure it’s pure since if the silver isn’t in its purest form, it can harbor bacteria.

Ashley Piercing Aftercare Rules

The unique location of this piercing means that you need to be careful and mindful with your aftercare. Like with any piercing, limit moving or touching the new jewelry to avoid causing trauma to the skin. Since the piercing sits directly on your lips, this can be difficult.

Fortunately, there are a few tricks you can follow.

1. Don’t play with the jewelry. If you play with your jewelry even before the piercing has healed, you might experience stretched puncture holes or hypertrophic scarring.
2. Avoid jewelry that is too tight. Embedded jewelry is risky, but it can be super risky for an Ashley piercing. If you think the jewelry is too tight, have your piercer change it to a bigger piece.
3. No lipstick. Ashley piercings complement any lipstick look. However, you must wait for the piercing to fully heal before you apply your favorite lipstick. The same rule applies to your favorite lip gloss.

If you’re looking for a not-so-basic type of lip piercing, the Ashley piercing is the way to go. Ask your piercer about this piercing today.