What is the meaning of snake bite piercing? How much does it cost and is it painful? Find more as we explore on the meaning, cost, jewelry and aftercare practices of this type of body piercing. You will also learn from the various pictures we have included in this post.
Snake Bite Piercing Meaning & Info
This type of body piercing consists of two separate lower lip piercing one on either sides. It is usually done at the same time as a single piercing. This is a popular type body piercing that can be done on the lip, tongue, eye brows or cheeks.
Snake bite lip piercing originated from some African cultures and Aboriginal tribes of Australia. Traditionally, it was associated with lesbians or bisexual. Currently, it is commonly done by young men and women to look more attractive and sexy. After piercing, there are various jewelries you can use. However, the commonly used are labret studs and captive bead rings.
This type of piercing normally heals faster just like any other type of lip piecing. Most of the lip piercing normally take 1 to 3 month to heal completely. However, you need to be very careful to avoid the chances of an infection since the mouth contains numerous bacteria.
When intending to have this type of body piercing, it is recommended to look for a professional piercer who has enough knowledge, skills and experience in body piercings. He or she should be able to operate in a clean environment to reduce the chances of an infection. The piercer should also be a certified and holds a certificate from the relevant authority.
Before making an appointment with your professional piercer, it is important to know that there are various risk that are created by snake bite piercing on both the locations where it is placed. The jewelry is placed close to the teeth and gum. It can scratch or damage the gum or teeth leading to a gum infection or a tooth decay.
Tooth fracture, enamel erosion and gum irritations are the major risks you are likely to encounter after having snake bite lip piercing. Avoid playing with the jewelry as it increases the above risks.
A good piercer will be able to reduce the risks involved in this type of lip piercing. He or she also ensures there is a proper alignment of the two piercing. The piercings should have an equal distance from the center of the lip. A poor piercer can place one piercing slightly above or lower that the other and you may end up not liking it.
What happens during the snake bite lip piercing procedure? Once you have been approved by your parents or religion to have this type of piercing, the piercer will perform the following procedure:
- Prior to the procedure, the professional piercer will clean both the inner and outer surface of your lip with an antiseptic solution.
- He or she will also sterilize all the piercing instruments including the needle and jewelry. The piercer will thoroughly clean hand and wear gloves to prevent any bacterial infection.
- The professional piercer will ask the location you want the piercing to be placed and mark the area.
- Ensure that the marks covers the same distance from the center of the lip. They should also be on the same line.
- A clamp may be used to hold your lip into position and may also help to reduce the pain.
- The piercer will then insert the needle into the mark and place in the snake bite piercing jewelry.
- The same procedure will be done on the other mark.
- He or she will wipe away any bleeding and apply an anti-bacterial ointment.
The professional piercer should be able to use a long jewelry that will leave a room for swelling. It is normal for your piercing to swell two to three days after the procedure. The swelling will go down after the first week of the procedure.
To relive the swelling, such on some ice cubes, eat foods like yoghurt and ice cream that help in soothing. Alternatively, you can take over the counter medicines like acetaminophen and ibuprofen.
Follow the aftercare instructions provided by your professional piercer to reduce the risks of infection, migration and rejections and delayed healing process. The instructions contains a list of things to do and to avoid during the healing process.
Snake Bite Piercing Cost
How much does it cost to have a snake bite lip piercing? The cost of this type of body piercing ranges between $80 and $120 when the jewelry is included. However, the price varies from one piercing studio to the other depending on the following factors:
- The skills and experience of the piercer
The piercers who has enough knowledge, skills, experience and certified from the relevant authority will tend to charge more as compared to those that are still gaining the experience. You are likely to have a successful piercing from such piercers as compared to those that are still new in that field.
- The type of the jewelry
The type of jewelry you are intending to use will also determine the piercing cost. Individuals who are allergic to cheap jewelries will be required to spend more on buying expensive jewelry that does not easily trigger an allergy. However, it is better to spend more buying an expensive ring or stud that guarantees a successful piercing.
- Geographical location
Urban centers will tend to charge less for snake bite piercing as compared rural area. This is because, the urban areas has a higher competition as compared to rural area. However some studios in urban areas that has more clients may charge more due to high quality services they are providing.
- Other medications that are used before and after the procedure
You may be required to pay more for some of the medication you are given at the studio to prevent infections. It is better to spend some amount in buying sterilizing solutions than using unsterilized equipment’s that increases the risk of an infection.
Snake Bite Piercing Jewelry
There is a variety of jewelries that look fabulous for a snake bite lip piercing. You can choose to wear a labret studs, ball closure rings, circular barbells, body spirals or smooth segments ring. Most people normally wear a captive beaded rings that visually resembles a snake fangs.
However, you can also wear two different labret stud to have a unique look. You can use a clear ball rings or stud when you want to hide the piercing. Some jewelries that camouflage the skin color can be used when you don’t want people to notice you’re piercing.
Choose the correct width of the hoop of your jewelry. Professional piercers recommends the use of 16 to 14gauge as a starter. It helps to provide enough room for the swellings and it also creates enough space for cleaning the piercing.
Change the jewelry to a smaller one after the initial healing process. it helps to prevent the risk of enamel erosion, gum irritation or infections.
Snake Bite Piercing Pain
Does it hurt to have snake bite lip piercing? Just like any other type of body piercing, you may experience some pain. For snake bite, you will experience a double pain since the piercer has to make two separate incision. Some individual prefers to perform the procedure one at a time.
However, during the initial healing process, you may experience some pain due to an injury or trauma that result from playing with the jewelry or bumping your lips into an object when exercising or playing spots. Improper care can also leads to an infection that can cause pain. However there are various steps you can take to relieve the pain. They include:
- Keep your piercing clean by washing it with mild soap and water. Avoid touching it with dirty hands as it can cause an infection that triggers pain.
- Take over-the-counter painkillers such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen to relieve the pain and other discomforts.
- Soak your piercing in a saline solution for 10 minutes. It helps to initiate the healing process as well as killing bacteria that causes infections.
- Apply a cold compress using refrigerated saline solution. Alternatively, wrap an ice cube is a clean paper towel and place it on areas around the piercing for some minutes.
- Gargle into your mouth a saline solution. Alternatively, use an alcohol free mouthwash to clean your mouth. It helps to kill bacteria and other micro-organisms that results to infections.
- Leave the piercing alone, avoid playing with the jewelry as it can cause an injury to the piercing.
- Use a long jewelry that will accommodate the swelling to avoid pain due to pressure of the swollen snake bite piercing.
However, persistence pain during and after the initial healing process may be a sign of an infection. Consult your doctor immediately if the pain is accompanied with other symptoms of an infection like persistence swelling, yellow or green discharge, redness and sensitivity to touch.
Snake Bite Tongue Piercing
Snake bite tongue piercing is also referred to as venom tongue piercing. It is simply two piercing that are placed side by side on the surface of the tongue. The piercing resembles that of a snake fangs and hence the name snake bite or venom tongue piercing.
Just like snake bite lip piercing, you have to undergo the pain twice when making the two piercing. Some people prefers to have one piercing at a time while others normally opt to get both the piercing at the same time. It is advantageous to have the two incision at the same time since you will go through the swelling process at once.
Like any other type of body piercing, it is normal for your tongue to become swollen, tender and painful during the initial healing process. To reduce the swelling and other discomforts, place some ice chips on the surface of the tongue. Cleaning your mouth using a high quality mouthwash can also help to prevent the risk of infections.
Snake Bite Piercing Care
It is important to follow the aftercare instructions provided by your professional piercer. Poor aftercare practices can lead to an infection that may delay the healing process of increases the chances of migration and rejection of the piercing. Here are some of the tips on how to take care of your piercing:
- Keep inside your mouth clean all the time
Brush your teeth and floss regularly especially after taking every meal. It helps to get rid of food particles that accumulates between your teeth and tongue. Such food particles attracts bacteria and other pathogenic micro-organisms in your mouth.
It is also important to rinse your mouth for at least 30 seconds using a high quality mouthwash. Avoid using mouthwash containing alcohol as it may irritate your piercing. Alternatively, you can use a salt solution to rinse your mouth too.
- Clean inside and outside of the piercing and the jewelry
Clean the piercing once or twice a day preferably after shower when the crusted material have softened. You can use a mild anti-bacterial soap to clean the outside part and the jewelry or prepare a saline solution by mixing ¼ teaspoon of sea salt with a glass of warm water. Soak the cotton ball in the solution and dab over the snake bite piercing to remove the crusting and other dirty.
Do not over-clean the pierced area as it may delay the healing process. It is also not recommended to clean the piercing with soap more than twice a day. Wash your hands thoroughly using an anti-bacterial soap before touching the piercing when cleaning.
- Eat soft foods slowly and carefully
During the initial healing process, it is recommended to eat soft and cool foods like ice cream, yoghurt or soup. Such foods helps to soothe and relieve lip piercing swelling and other discomforts. Slice or cut solid foods into small pieces and place them directly to the molars for chewing.
Eat slowly and carefully to avoid biting the lips or food coming into contact with your piercing. Avoid hard foods that can cause irritation when eating.
- Help to reduce the swelling and other discomforts that results from snake bite piercing
Placing some ice chips in your mouth is important for any lip piercing care swelling. It helps to relieve the swelling and pain. However don’t allow the ice chips to overstay in your mouth as they can also cause a burning effects.
Alternatively, you can take over-the-counter pain killers like acetaminophen and ibuprofen to relive the pain, swelling and other discomforts. Avoid using aspirin as it may cause blood thinning. Take such medicines as directed by the manufactures instructions.
- Do not touch the piercing with dirty hands
Dirty hands contains numerous bacteria and other germs that increases the risk of an infection when you touch the piercing without washing them. It is therefore advisable to wash hands and also avoid unnecessary touching the piercing. Touch it only when cleaning.
- Avoid having oral sex
Engaging in oral sex activities like kissing increases the chances of an infection. Mouth contains numerous bacteria, therefore, mouth kissing introduces new bacteria into your mouth. Different bacteria and viruses can also get into your bloodstream through the wound created by the piercing.
- Avoid eating certain foods, smoking and alcohol consumption during the initial healing process.
After snake bite piercing procedure, it is important to avoid alcohol, smoking tobacco, caffeine, sticky foods like candy and gum, spicy foods and chewing other non-food items. Tobacco smoke and alcohol contains toxins that can irritate the piercing or increase the chances of an infection.
Candy and chewing gums can stick on the jewelry, removing can cause trauma or injury to the pierced area. This can cause new bleeding, lowers the healing process or increase the chances of an infection.
- Avoid using public swimming pools or hot tubs
During the initial healing process, it is recommended to avoid using public swimming pools, hot tubs or other water bodies that are used by many people. Such facilities may harbor bacteria and other micro-organisms that increases the risk of an infection.
- Don’t change the piercing jewelry during the initial healing process
Don’t change the jewelry before the piercing heals. This can damage the healing tissues to cause a new wound. Use a long jewelry that will accommodate swelling during the initial healing process to avoid changing the jewelry. If it is a must to change it, then let it be done by a professional piercer.
- Avoid haring utensils, foods, drinks and other personal items
Sharing of utensils, foods, drinks and other personal items increases the risk of infecting you’re piercing. You may have washed your hands thoroughly before touching the food but the other person may not have cleaned them well. Bacteria can also be transferred from ones mouth to the other through sharing of utensils like water glass among others.
Poor aftercare practices can lead to an infection. Some signs of an infection includes prolonged healing process, presence or yellow or green discharge from the piercing, persistence redness and tenderness, bleeding and excessive pain.
It is normal to experience some of these symptoms during the initial healing process. However, you should visit your healthcare provider for treatment when they become persistence. The doctor will examine your piercing, conduct some tests and provide the required treatment.