Ashley piercing is also known as lip piercing. This unique style is adorned with charming gemstones or beads, creating a minimalistic yet alluring look that is sure to draw lots of attention. Unlike regular lobe piercings, the Ashley piercing requires more care and consideration due to its location on the lip.
Interestingly, the name origin of the Ashley piercing remains a mystery, but technically, it is referred to as an inverted vertical labret with only one visible point fixed inside the mouth. The piercing beautifully complements the lips, especially when paired with bold lipstick once it has fully healed.
However, it’s important to note that the Ashley piercing may not be suitable for everyone, as its successful placement depends on individual anatomy. Moreover, its location near the mouth means it is more exposed to movement and bacteria, necessitating extra care during the healing process.
In this guide, we will explore all you need to know about the Ashley piercing, from its intriguing name origin to the healing and aftercare process. So, if you’re curious about this captivating lip piercing, read on to discover more.
What Is Ashley Piercing?
The Ashley piercing is a unique type of lip piercing. It involves making a single hole in the center of the lower lip and coming out through the back into the mouth.
Some people also call it an inverted vertical labret piercing, similar to the regular vertical labret piercing.
Getting an Ashley piercing requires considering your lip and teeth anatomy to do it safely and make it look good.
A professional piercer will clean the area, mark the spot for the piercing, and use a needle to create the hole and insert the chosen jewellery.
The Ashley piercing is visible from the front of the lip, but the back of the jewellery stays hidden inside the mouth.
Because of its location, the Ashley piercing moves more and can be exposed to more bacteria compared to other mouth piercings. So, it needs extra care during healing.
To get a successful and safe Ashley piercing, talk to an experienced piercer who knows lip anatomy and can avoid hurting blood vessels or nerves.
If you want an Ashley piercing, remember these things and take good care of it while it heals.
How Painful Is Ashley Lip Piercing
When you get an Ashley lip piercing, the pain level is usually around five or six on a scale of one to ten. However, this may vary depending on your individual pain tolerance.
A skilled piercer can help make the process less painful by using breathing techniques and doing the piercing quickly.
After getting the piercing, you may experience some swelling and throbbing, which is normal. The piercer will give you slightly larger starter jewellery to accommodate the swelling.
Once the swelling goes down after a few days, you can switch to smaller jewellery that fits well against your lip, avoiding any accidental chomping while eating.
To have a successful and less painful Ashley piercing, it’s essential to find a reputable piercer and follow their aftercare instructions carefully.
You can enjoy your new look with minimal discomfort by taking good care of your piercing. So, take your time to research and choose a skilled piercer who can make the process smooth and comfortable for you.
Healing Process of an Ashley Piercing
The Ashley lip piercing usually takes around 3 to 4 months to heal completely. It may take longer depending on how well you care for it and how fast your body heals.
Don’t assume it’s healed just because it looks fine; have a piercer check to confirm before stopping aftercare.
On average, healing for an Ashley piercing takes about 12 to 16 weeks. During this time, you’ll need to change your jewellery.
Initially, a longer barbell is used to accommodate swelling. After a few weeks, the piercer will shorten the post for a better fit as it continues to heal.
Your Ashley piercing can heal successfully by following proper aftercare and consulting a reputable piercer.
Guidelines for Ashley Piercing Aftercare
Caring for an Ashley piercing is different from regular ear piercings because it’s in your mouth.
To keep it clean, rinse your mouth with a mix of alcohol-free mouthwash and water after eating. Don’t touch or bite the piercing while it heals. Here are some tips for aftercare:
- Don’t play with the jewellery.
- Brush your teeth regularly.
- Check the jewellery’s fit and see your piercer if it’s too tight.
- Protect your teeth from the jewellery.
- Wait until it’s fully healed before using lipstick.
- Eat soft foods at first and avoid spicy or acidic ones.
- Use alcohol-free mouthwash or saline solution.
Follow these tips to help your Ashley piercing heal properly and look great.
Potential Side Effects of Piercing
The Ashley piercing goes from the outside to the inside of the lip, and it comes with certain risks and aftercare needs. Here’s what you should know:
Infection Risk: The unique placement of the Ashley piercing increases the chance of getting infections. If you notice prolonged swelling, redness, burning, itching, or intense pain, see a doctor as it might be an infection.
Scarring: If the piercing irritates the skin during healing, it could cause scarring. Keloids, which are scar tissue build-ups, may also form around the piercing site. Though not harmful, they can grow quite large if not treated.
Swelling: Lip piercings, including the Ashley piercing, often swell. The initial barbell used by the piercer is longer to accommodate the swelling. Don’t worry if you see swelling or if your jewellery feels looser during healing – it’s normal.
Potential Scar: Removing the Ashley piercing may leave a scar due to the amount of lip tissue the needle passes through. Women can usually hide this scar with makeup, but sometimes scars may appear unexpectedly. In such cases, you can use lipstick to cover the piercing scar.
Taking good care of your Ashley piercing and seeking professional help if you notice any problems will help ensure a smooth healing process.
Unveiling the Ashley Piercing: Five Lesser-Known Facts
1. Delicate Lip Skin: Understanding the Sensitivity of Your Lips Compared to Other Body Areas
Your lips are more delicate than the skin on the rest of your body because of their thinner middle layer. This makes lip piercings susceptible to movement or rejection.
However, with proper placement and care, most people can avoid problems. Choose a reputable piercer for an Ashley piercing to ensure good results.
Unlike the skin on the rest of your body, your lips don’t get moisture from sweat and oils. Instead, they rely on saliva.
While licking your lips helps prevent dryness, it can irritate an Ashley piercing during healing. Be mindful of lip licking and avoid excessive jewellery movement for a successful healing process.
2. Perfect Match: Why Full Lips are Ideal for the Ashley Piercing
Positioning the Ashley piercing correctly is crucial to avoid rejection. It should not be too close to where the lips meet. Those with fuller lips are better suited for this piercing.
If you’re not sure if your lips are suitable, consult an experienced piercer. They can check your lip anatomy and advise you.
The standard Ashley piercing has the back of the jewellery inside the mouth, but sometimes, based on anatomy, the exit point may be below the lip, creating an inverse vertical labret piercing.
3. Avoiding Lip Products During Ashley Piercing Healing Process
Only use a sterile packaged saline piercing aftercare solution when your piercing is healing. Avoid other products as they may have chemicals that irritate the piercing and slow healing.
Follow all aftercare instructions carefully to get the best results. Consider the climate where you live, as dry conditions can affect the healing of an Ashley piercing.
Even if it looks healed externally, consult a piercer before stopping aftercare, as it may still be healing internally.
4. Changing jewellery Sizes in the Healing Journey of Ashley Piercing
Because the lips can swell more than other body parts, you’ll need a larger jewellery piece to accommodate swelling for the first few days after getting an Ashley piercing.
This helps prevent embedding of the jewellery. Once the swelling goes down, switching to a smaller, well-fitted jewelry piece by visiting your piercer is important.
For an Ashley piercing, a proper fit is crucial because the exit point is inside the mouth, posing risks to oral health. If the jewellery is too long, it may irritate the gums or accidentally damage the teeth.
Longer jewellery can also increase the risk of piercing rejection or cause trauma to the piercing site. So, ensuring a snug fit for the jewellery is essential to avoid these problems.
5. Choosing the Ideal Flat-Back Straight Post for Your Ashley Piercing
After your Ashley piercing has healed completely, you can have fun choosing new jewellery.
For this piercing, opt for a flat-back straight post to ensure safety and avoid rubbing against your teeth and gums. There are two types of flat backs: internally threaded and threadless. Avoid externally threaded jewellery as they are often of lower quality.
Consult your piercer for the correct jewellery size to get a flush fit without putting pressure on the piercing holes. The jewellery should match the size of the piercing hole to avoid any issues.
The Ashley piercing looks great with small gemstones and charms. It’s already stunning on its own, so you don’t need extravagant jewellery. Combining simple jewellery with bold lip colors creates a unique and eye-catching look that you’ll love.
Types of Jewellery Materials for Ashley Piercings – Ashley Piercing Jewelry
Here is a list of everyday jewellery options suitable for Ashley piercings:
Sterling Silver: People like sterling silver, but it can be too soft and may cause bacterial growth.
Gold: If you prefer gold jewellery, choose a metal with 14 karats or higher purity to avoid brittleness and bacteria.
Stainless Steel: Surgical grade stainless steel is generally safe but contains nickel, which could cause piercing infections.
Implant Grade Stainless Steel: It’s a common choice, but watch for potential allergic reactions to nickel.
Titanium: Considered the safest option as it is hypoallergenic, lightweight, and resistant to tarnishing.
Consider your preferences and allergies when picking jewellery for your Ashley piercing. Consult with your piercer to choose the best option for you.
What Kind of jewellery is Suitable for an Ashley Piercing?
The Ashley piercing requires flat-back lip jewellery to avoid irritation against the gums and teeth. Though the jewellery choices are somewhat limited, you can still get creative by selecting different stylish ends, ranging from simple to extravagant.
For a bold look, go for larger gemstones, while daintier labret stud ends offer a cute and minimalist aesthetic.
You have a variety of options, such as 14k gold balls, charming charms, sparkling diamonds, opals, or delicate pearls. The bezel setting is perfect for this piercing as it lets you showcase a beautiful gemstone comfortably.
The simplicity of this piercing makes it a popular choice for combining with other lip, septum, or nostril piercings.
Labret studs, with a fixed, flat back and a removable threaded accessory like a ball, are commonly used for lip piercings and can also be seen on ear or nose piercings.
These studs are meticulously pierced by marking the area and passing a needle through the skin before inserting the jewellery.
More Body Piercings
Double Nose Piercing: A Complete Guide
Nose Piercing 101: Everything You Need to Know
Getting Your Ears Pierced at Target (Through Rowan)
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Ashley piercing is a stunning lip piercing option that requires proper placement, care, and consideration. With the right aftercare and jewellery, it can provide a unique and eye-catching look that you’ll love. Always consult a skilled piercer for a safe and successful piercing experience.
FAQs
Question: Why is getting an Ashley piercing not recommended?
Answer: The Ashley piercing should be avoided if you tend to play with your lips during the healing process. Opt for a different lip piercing like the Monroe piercing, which is less likely to be disturbed.
Additionally, even with a flat disc back, the labret stud of the Ashley piercing may rub against your teeth. If you have oral issues or weak enamel, consider getting a piercing that is gentler on your teeth, such as the vertical labret piercing.
Question: How much does the Ashley piercing cost?
Answer: The cost of an Ashley piercing can vary, ranging from $30 to $85. Choosing a reputable piercer for this piercing is essential, as precise placement is crucial. Never compromise on cost when it comes to body piercings. Opt for an established and trusted piercer for the best results.
Question: Why is the piercing called “Ashley”?
Answer: The Ashley piercing, which is a single stud on the bottom lip, doesn’t have a specific reason for its name. It seems to be just a random choice without any known historical or cultural significance. Some people think it might have been named after an individual named Ashley, but no solid evidence supports that idea.
Question: How long should I avoid kissing after getting an Ashley piercing?
Answer: After getting an Ashley piercing, avoiding kissing or engaging in oral activities for at least 3 weeks is important. During the healing process, scabs may form around the piercing, which act as a protective barrier against bacteria. Picking at the scabs can lead to infection and unnecessary bleeding, so it’s best to let them fall away naturally for proper healing.
Question: How should I adjust my eating habits with an Ashley piercing?
Answer: In the first few days after getting the piercing, it’s a good idea to stick to soft foods to prevent accidentally biting the new jewellery and causing irritation. It’s best to avoid acidic or spicy foods throughout the healing period as they may cause discomfort and irritate the delicate healing skin around the piercing. Opt for a gentle diet to promote a smooth healing process.
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