Do you have or plan to have a snake bite piercing on your body? If so, you should have information and the knowledge of its procedures and care. Among the various type of piercing, snake bites are gaining popularity.
It is most popular among the youngsters. You must be curious about what it is or how it is done, the cost and it’s after effects. Well, it is a type of lip piercing done on both sides of the lower lips.
Because of it’s resemblance to a snake bite, it is called snake bites. If you have an interest in snake bites and related queries, you came to the right place.
Here, you will get to know everything about snake bites; cost, healing time, jewellery etc.
Well, many of you are familiar with piercings.
Snake bites are one of the most popular piercing as said earlier. Snake bites have stereotypes and controversies surrounding the meaning of it.
First of all, it came into popular existence with people whom we call Emo, later with lesbians. It is also used as a sign of being bisexual.
But, it originates from some African cultures and Australia’s Aboriginal tribes.
Now, as of current leaving the history snake bites are considered as a fashion trend and are not biased. Anyone can have them pierced regardless of culture and sexual orientation.
Earlier snake bites were considered for lower lips piercing. But these days it has evolved, it is used for any piercing on the tongue, cheeks, and brows which match the description of a snake bite.
Now, let’s see what more there is to snake bites in details.
Table of Contents
What Is Snake Bite Piercing?
Snake bite piercing consists of two separate lower lips piercing on either side of the lip. It can be done at the same time as a single piercing or one by one.
Getting the piercing is thought as a sign of being stylish and coolness. This piercing is done on lips, tongue, eyebrows and cheeks. When done on the tongue, it is also known as venom bite piercing.
The piercing is flaunted using jewellery. Various types of jewellery are available for you to use. The most common among them is the labret stud and the captive bead ring. And also snake bite piercings heal faster.
It usually takes two to four months. But you should be careful so that you don’t get an infection.
In addition, you should have your piercing done by a professional piercer who has the skills, knowledge, and experience.
Professional piercers are certified and so they will be able to operate in a clean environment to reduce the chances of an infection.
There are also risks with this piercing. It is usually in the location of the piercing or due to the jewellery. The risk of having infection can be immediate or may take time. The jewellery is close to the teeth and gum.
And so it can scratch or damage the gum or teeth leading to a gum infection or a tooth decay. In severe cases, tooth fracture, enamel erosion and gum irritation occur. Therefore, avoid playing with the jewellery.
And visit your doctor at the first sight of infection to avoid damage.
Piercing Procedure
I will tell you the piercing procedures. But before that, you should know that snake bite piercings involve a lot of pain.
Yes, the level of enduring pain differs from one person to other. And so you can opt to do both piercings at once or one by one with a time gap.
Besides, most piercers would recommend you do it one by one. It is so because you will be able to deal with the pain and cleaning a lot better if it is only one.
Piercing is done in 3 steps. I will tell the details below.
1. Sterilisation
One of the main steps to follow before getting any type of piercing is sterilization. For snake bites both the area to be pierced and the instruments have to undergo sterilization. This is done to avoid infections.
As piercings involve contact with blood and another external thing. It may be a needle or the piercer’s hands too.
The piercer will clean both the surface of your lip; inner and outer with an antiseptic solution. He will also sterilise all the instruments including the needle and jewellery.
The piercer will then thoroughly clean his hand and wear gloves to prevent any bacterial infection.
2. Marking
It is the most important step for snake bites. If the marking is not done properly, the piercing will not turn out as you want or you may even have asymmetrical piercings.
The piercer will ask the location where you want the piercing to be and mark the area. You should make sure that the marks cover the same distance from the centre of the lip.
They should also be on the same line.
3. Piercing And Jewellery
In this step, a clamp holds your lip into position. It may also help to reduce the pain. The piercer then inserts the needle into the mark and places in the snake bite piercing jewellery.
He then wipes the bleedings and applies anti-bacterial ointment. He will also tell you how to take care of it
Jewellery
The most common type used is in gold or silver or rose gold. The designs available are of wide variety. You may choose the one to suit your likes.
You may choose to wear labret studs, body spirals, ball closure rings, circular barbells or smooth segments ring.
Most people wear a captive beaded ring that resembles snake fangs.
You must choose the correct width of the hoop of your jewellery. Professional piercers recommend the use of 14 to 16 gauges to start with.
It is so because it helps to provide enough room for the swellings. And it also creates enough space for cleaning the piercing.
Nowadays you can even wear two different labret studs to have a unique look. You may also use a clear ball ring or stud to hide the piercing.
Some jewellery which camouflages the skin colour can be used too.
Most importantly you should change the jewellery to a smaller one after the initial healing process. This is to prevent gum irritation, enamel erosion or infections.
1. Cost
Snake bite piercing costs around 50$ to 120$. This is including the cost of the jewellery. It is very important to research and choose the best shop. Don’t go for the one with the cheapest rate.
You should feel completely comfortable with your piercer.
Look for reviews from customers, other piercers or websites. You can also check the website for a local member of the Association of Professional Piercers. However, the cost of the piercing will vary and is determined by some factors. I will list the factors below
A. The Piercer
The piercers who have enough knowledge, skills, experience and certification charges more as compared to ones that are still gaining experience. You will have a successful piercing from such a piercer.
B. Jewellery
The type of jewellery you wish to use will also determine the piercing cost. If you are allergic to cheap jewelries you may have to spend more on buying expensive jewellery that doesn’t trigger an allergy.
Besides, it is better to spend more buying an expensive ring or stud that guarantees a successful piercing. Good and appropriate jewellery reduces the chances of infection too.
C. Location
Urban centres charge less for snake bite piercing in comparison to the rural area. This is so because urban areas have a higher competition.
But some studios in urban areas may charge more due to high-quality services they are providing to their huge clients.
D. Medications
You may have to pay more if some medications are given to you at the studio to prevent infections.
E. Pain
Just like any other type of piercing, you may experience pain. For snake bite, you will experience double pain since the piercer has to make two separate incisions. Hence, 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 jewellery or bumping your lips into an object when exercising or playing sports. Pain may be because of an infection from improper care.
But, if the pain persists during and after the initial healing process it may be a sign of infection. And, if the pain associates with other symptoms like persistence swelling, yellow or green discharge, redness and sensitivity to touch. Consult your doctor immediately.
2. Healing
As a first-aid, you should do daily cleaning routine using mouthwash. However, you should also note that initial healing of the piercing takes place in 6-8 weeks after.
A healthy lifestyle with good sleep and a nutritious diet are essential for a good recovery. Since, it is both an external and oral piercing, you need to follow the aftercare instructions.
The first stage is the inflammatory stage in which your wound is still open when chances of inflammation are high.
For the first 3 to 5 days, your lips will be significantly swollen. You may also experience bruising, light bleeding and tenderness making eating and drinking a painful task. Damage to tooth enamel or gum is a common damage of oral piercings.
It is important to keep a close eye on it. If you start to see any signs of enamel erosion or gum recession, remove the piercing immediately.
The second stage is growth stage in which your body produces collagen. Make sure to change your jewellery to prevent the hole from closing.
During the healing process, you should take proper care of nutrition, you must avoid alcohol and smoking.
This ensures you with good blood circulation to help you heal faster. Complete healing may be hindered due to infections. So make sure you care for it.
3. Aftercare
Some of the other aftercares are listed below-
1. Warm Water And Saline Solution
Saline solution helps if the piercing hurts and aids in the healing process. One of the most common ways to take good care of your piercing is cleaning it using warm water. It can be done after you shower.
Warm water relieves pain and minimises chances of swelling. Also, cleaning promotes healing as it discourages microbes from accumulating near or in the pierce.
2. Avoid Touching
Avoid touching unless you have a reason such as cleaning. Resist touching especially if it is a newly pierced cartilage.
When you require changing piercing jewellery, cleanse both your hands and rinse all tools you are going to use to avoid germs transfer and infection causing microbes. Dry your hands too.
Furthermore, touching twists the piercing slowing down healing time. It can also lead to breakage of naturally formed crust around the piercings
3. Mouthwash
Use alcohol-free mouthwash to cleanse the mouth twice daily. Don’t overdo it as it can irritate the piercing.
4. Avoid Smoking Or Smoke
Smoke is one of the various irritants apart from chemicals. Hence avoid it
5. Don’t Change Your Jewellery
Unless you have a different problem with your upper ear piercing, don’t change the initial studs until it has healed.
6. Use Fitting Hypoallergenic Jewellery
Don’t insert non-standard jewellery other than standard hygienic inserts or other jewellery that your piercer recommends.
Use of quality jewellery is an important aftercare tip to prevent possible contact allergy that may cause your outer ear to swell badly.
Some of the other things that can be helpful are down below-
- Stay away from alcohol and cigarettes.
- Avoid swimming in lakes and pools.
- Avoid sexual contact.
- To help reduce swelling sleep with your head slightly elevatedabove your heart during the first few nights.
- Let small pieces of ice melt in your mouth to reduce inflammation.
- You can use piercing afterwards swabs and sprays
- Take over-the-counter painkillers such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen to relieve the pain and other discomforts.
- 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
- Satisfy your nutritional diet to promote healing.
How To Take Out Snake Bites?
Well, you may need to take out your jewellery for some or the other purpose. This should be done in a hygienic manner to avoid damage. Below are steps on how to remove snake bites.
First of all, wash your hands with antibacterial soap and warm water and use a clean paper towel. Then, stand in front of a mirror with good lighting.
Now, soak a clean cotton swab with warm saline solution and gently wipe the stem of the jewellery to remove crusts and loosen the jewellery from the skin.
As the cleaning is over, hold the stud on the outside of your lip with fingers of one hand.
Then, reach inside your mouth and hold the back part of the stud with the free hand. Unscrew the ball in an anti-clockwise direction until it comes off the stem. Now, pull out the stem from the piercing hole and set the two pieces aside
Therefter, clean the piercing hole with more saline solution to remove any remaining crust and debris. Now insert a new lip stud or ring.
Note that, other than tooth damage and embedding, you shouldn’t remove or change jwellery by yourself before complete healing. Remember to sterilise the new jwellery before inserting it. You should not take out jwellery if you suspect any infection.
How To Hide Snake Bites?
Well, Bite piercings are difficult to hide. It is even harder if you have lip rings. During the healing phase, it is almost impossible to hide.
Once the piercing is healed, you can wear clear studs or lip rings.
If you want to effectively hide snakebites piercings you should get the smallest gauge stud possible. It is so because the smaller the stud the easier it is to hide.
You can use studs that blend in easily with the colour of your skin- transparent, olive or brown studs. Stay away from shiny or metallic studs.
Wearing the flat part of your jewellery on the outside and ball on the inside may help. As the back part of the stud is usually small and will be less visible.
How To Make Fake Snake Bites?
Do you want snake bites but don’t want to go through the pain or permanence of getting a piercing twice. Or perhaps you’re thinking of getting a lip ring but are unsure of what it’ll look like on you?
Well here comes fake snake bites to your rescue. It’s easy and you can make it on your own from your household items. I will be sharing with you 2 ways to make fake snake bites. The first, using a paperclip and the other using a spiral notebook.
i. Paperclip Method
Unfold the paperclip and straighten it out. Now, grip one end of the wire with a plier and wrap the other end around a pen or marker. Then, slide the coiled paper clip off the pen and cut two rings out of it. Bend back the ends of each ring with a plier and then, reshape to make it your own fitting. Now, slide the rings onto your lip and adjust so that they are equally spaced
ii. Spiral Notebook
Unwind a bit of the wire spiral binding from the notebook. Then, cut two rings from the exposed wire. Shape the rings using a marker or a pen. Bend back the ends of each ring with a plier and then, reshape to make it your own fitting. Then, try it out and adjust.
Or you can also buy your fake snake bites online.
It is essential for you to bear the pain and duration of the healing process. It is so as the slightest mistake may aggravate the duration and the extent of suffering. And, you should be careful to ensure that the area is cleaned and taken care.
Carelessness causes complications which can lead to the unusual discharge of fluids from the pierced area. This may give rise to pain and reddening of the pierced area.
Hence, snake bites must be pierced by only a trained and a highly experienced piercer so that you can flaunt fashionable earrings and other accessories with slight pain but no suffering.
However, it is advisable to get treated by a dermatologist or specialist in case the infection occurs.
Having proper knowledge, doing thorough research, taking precaution and proper care is the best key.
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