Face & Mouth piercing · Manhattan & Brooklyn
Lip Piercing at Our NYC Shops
Lip piercings come in more styles than most people realize, from a center labret below the lip to side lips, snake bites and the Monroe above it. Each one gives your face a completely different look.
This page covers what lip piercings have in common. The Monroe and Medusa each have their own page with more detail. Every piercing is done with a single-use, laser-cut needle and jewelry sterilized right before your appointment, at NYC Tattoo Shop, 141 Canal St in Manhattan, and NYC Tattoo Parlor, 164 N 6th St in Brooklyn.
The piercing
What Is a Lip Piercing?
What It Is
Most lip piercings go through the skin around the lip and exit inside the mouth, where a flat disc rests against the gum. Popular placements include the center labret just below the lip, side lip piercings, snake bites (a matching pair), the Monroe and the Medusa.
Placement & Anatomy
Your piercer will look at the shape of your lips, your bite and where your teeth and gums sit, so the inside disc rests comfortably. Placement can be adjusted slightly to keep jewelry from rubbing.
What to expect
Lip Piercing Pain & Healing Time
Does It Hurt?
Lip piercings are usually a quick pinch. The lips swell a little afterwards, which is why starter jewelry is a bit longer than what you will wear long term.
Healing Time
Lip piercings commonly heal in about 6 to 12 weeks. Because they sit both outside and inside the mouth, they need care on both sides while healing.
Choose your jewelry
Lip Piercing Jewelry
Flat-back labret stud
The usual starter jewelry for most lip placements.
Seamless or captive ring
A lip ring for some placements, often after healing.
Shorter post (downsize)
A shorter post once the swelling goes down, to protect teeth and gums.
Heal it right
Lip Piercing Aftercare
Clean the outside with sterile saline 2–3 times a day.
Rinse your mouth after eating with a mild salt rinse or alcohol-free mouthwash.
Avoid playing with the jewelry with your teeth or tongue.
Hold off on kissing, smoking and sharing drinks while it heals.
Good to knowSome tenderness, redness and swelling are normal at first. Avoid scented soaps and alcohol, and do not remove the jewelry while healing. If redness, heat or swelling keeps getting worse, or you notice thick yellow or green discharge or a fever, contact a doctor. You can also call either shop with questions.
Your visit
How Your Lip Piercing Works
- Walk in or book
Walk in to either shop until 11:30 PM, or book a set time online. Manhattan opens at 10 AM and Brooklyn at 12 PM.
- Bring your ID
You must be 18 or older. Clients who are 16 or 17 need parental consent, with a valid state or federal ID for both the minor and the parent or guardian.
- Placement & jewelry
Your piercer checks your anatomy, marks the spot with you and helps you choose surgical-grade steel, titanium or another hypoallergenic metal.
- Get pierced
A single-use, laser-cut needle and jewelry sterilized right before your appointment. You leave with aftercare instructions.
Two shops
Where to Get a Lip Piercing in NYC
Lip piercings are available at both of our shops, in Manhattan at 141 Canal St and in Brooklyn at 164 N 6th St. Walk-ins welcome until 11:30 PM.
Manhattan
NYC Tattoo Shop
141 Canal St, New York, NY 10002
- Open 7 days from 10 AM
- Piercing walk-ins until 11:30 PM
- Call or text 212-404-8287
- Body piercing and tattoos
Brooklyn
NYC Tattoo Parlor
164 N 6th St, Brooklyn, NY 11211
- Open 7 days from 12 PM
- Piercing walk-ins until 11:30 PM
- Call or text 718-500-3096
- Body piercing and tattoos
Good to know
Lip Piercing FAQ
Which lip piercing should I get?
It depends on the look you want. A center labret is classic and simple, snake bites are bold and symmetrical, and a Monroe sits above the lip like a beauty mark.
How long does a lip piercing take to heal?
Lip piercings commonly heal in about 6 to 12 weeks.
Will a lip piercing affect my teeth?
Jewelry can rub on teeth and gums. A well-placed piercing and a timely downsize to a shorter post help reduce this.
Can I eat normally after a lip piercing?
Stick to soft foods for the first few days and rinse after eating. Most people are back to normal meals quickly.
Can I walk in for a lip piercing?
Yes. Both shops take piercing walk-ins until 11:30 PM. Manhattan (141 Canal St) opens at 10 AM and Brooklyn (164 N 6th St) opens at 12 PM. Prefer a set time? Book Manhattan or Brooklyn online.
How old do I need to be to get pierced?
You must be 18 or older. Clients who are 16 or 17 need parental consent, along with a valid state or federal ID for both the minor and the parent or guardian at the time of the appointment.
How much does a lip piercing cost?
Call or text Manhattan at 212-404-8287 or Brooklyn at 718-500-3096, or email [email protected], for current piercing and jewelry prices.
Manhattan & Brooklyn
Ready for Your Lip Piercing?
Walk in to either shop until 11:30 PM, or book a set time online. Questions about placement or jewelry? Call or text us, or email [email protected].