There are several different types of labret piercings, including the vertical labret, the monroe, and the snake bite labret. Some people also get spider bite labret piercings, which are somewhat similar to the snake bite labret. The vertical labret is the most common type of labret piercing, and the other types of labrets are considered variations on the vertical labret. People who get labrets normally use either curved or straight bell and bar jewelry to decorate them.
The vertical labret is normally considered the most popular of all labret piercings, and it is the type of piercing that comes to mind for most people when they think of the term labret. A vertical labret piercing is done through the top of the lower lip all the way through to the other side, just under the lower lip. After the piercing is done, a small steel bar can be inserted into the hole. These bars normally have small balls that screw onto either end, which makes it easier to remove the jewelry as needed.
One of the more popular variations on the traditional vertical labret piercing is the monroe. A monroe piercing is normally done on the left side of the face, right next to the upper lip. This type of piercing usually requires the use of bell and bar jewelry, and the bar is normally placed through the hole next to the lip with the ball screwed onto the other end either inside the cheek or outside on the face. The piercing gets its name from the late actress Marilyn Monroe, who had a trademark mole just above the left side of her upper lip.
Other types of labret piercings include the snake bite and spider bite labrets. These piercings are similar to the vertical labret, but the snake bite labret involves two piercings in the top of the bottom lip, and the spider bite labret involves three piercings. With a snake bite labret, two piercings are done on either side of the top of the bottom lip, and the end result may look similar to snake fangs once the jewelry is put in place. The spider bite labret involves three piercings close together on the top of the bottom lip. Instead of using a straight bar for these piercings, people occasionally use curved bars that extend out over the top of the bottom lip to enhance the fanged appearance.
