Ashley Piercing Info & Aftercare

Also known as an inverted labret piercing, Ashley piercings are sought after for their unique placement. For anyone new to piercing culture, we’ve put together a crash course on what you need to know when getting an inverted labret.

Find an Experienced Piercer

The Ashley piercing is a complex piercing that requires repeated experience, both for placement and orientation. With this in mind, it’s important to find a reputable piercer that has practice performing inverted labret piercings before you jump into the process.

Start by heading over to the Association of Professional Piercers website and click on their Find a Piercer database to locate a trusted piercer in your area. Don’t hesitate to call around and ask about their experience with Ashley piercings if you need more information!

Inverted Labret Piercing Jewelry

Once you’ve chosen your piercer, the next step is choosing your jewelry. While there are numerous customization options after your piercing is completely healed, there’s only one jewelry type that should be used in Ashley piercings.

Curved labrets will fit the shape of the inverted labret perfectly since this piercing runs vertically through the lip. Knowing this is the case, your piercer will help you pick out your jewelry accordingly. The most comfortable combination will be a flat disk on the back and a gem or ball on the outside of the lip.

The standard size for Ashley piercing jewelry ranges from 18g to 14g depending on your preferences. Your piercer may also add an extra bend in your curved labret to ensure it fits your lip anatomy correctly. The initial bar you choose will also need to be longer than average. This extra length is necessary to account for the swelling that occurs immediately after your piercing is finished.

The Ashley Piercing Process

Now that you’ve selected your jewelry, here comes the actual piercing process. Your piercer will keep you informed every step of the way as they set out their instruments, grab your freshly cleaned jewelry, and examine your lip for placement. As soon as they’re confident about the angle & location of your inverted labret piercing, your lip will be cleaned, and your piercer will mark the appropriate spot. If you have any lingering questions or concerns, now is the time to ask!

Once you’ve okayed everything with your piercer, they’ll grab a hollow needle in your specified size and a pair of clamps to hold your lip in place. Your piercer will then clamp your lip and push the needle through before threading your jewelry back through your piercing. Congratulations, you’ve got a new Ashley piercing!

How Long Does an Ashley Piercing Take to Heal?

Inverted labret piercings can typically take anywhere from three to six weeks to fully heal. Keep in mind that each person will take different lengths of time to heal depending on the specific needs of their body. Rushing this process will only make things complicated.

Oral piercings are known to swell considerably after the piercing process, so don’t worry if your Ashley piercing is very swollen within your first week of healing. This inflammation should start to subside in the weeks after. During the healing process, it’s very important to not touch, rotate or play with your new inverted labret piercing.

If you absolutely need to touch your Ashley piercing, be sure to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water beforehand. The inner part of your piercing is basically forming a scab as you heal, so you’ll want to minimize the damage done within this timeframe. Touching your piercing with dirty hands can introduce new bacteria into your piercing, and this only complicates matters. Better to wash your hands first!

When Can I Change My Ashley Piercing Jewelry?

You might be ready to change your piercing in 3 to 4 weeks depending on your body. You’ll know your Ashley piercing is ready to change once the barbell is no longer sticking, the swelling has receded, and your jewelry feels longer than it should be.

It's recommend to go back to your piercer so they can help you downsize your jewelry to the right length. This is especially important if your piercer helped to shape your jewelry the first time. Your inverted labret piercing will both look and feel better with fitted jewelry since it won’t be long enough to rub your gums. This is also your chance to pick out more exciting ends if you want to customize your Ashley piercing jewelry!

Ashley Piercing Aftercare Information

How to Clean Inverted Labret Piercings

You should generally clean your new inverted labret piercing twice per day during the healing period. Just like brushing your teeth (which will also be crucial as you heal), cleaning once in the morning and once at night will help keep your piercing consistently hygienic.

You’ll want to snag either some Neilmed or H2Ocean piercing aftercare spray first, since it’s both sterile and portable. Simply spray some solution on both sides of your piercing each time you clean it. Be sure to let the saline soak into the piercing and wipe off any overspray on other areas of your face.

In addition to saline spray, you’ll also want to pick up some alcohol-free mouthwash and rinse your mouth often. Rinsing after every meal is most ideal, but two times a day with your saline spray will do when that’s not realistic.

If your Ashley piercing needs a little extra care, you can always try a saline soak. Mix one teaspoon of salt with 8oz warm water. Once it’s at a good temperature, dip a clean paper towel in the mixture and gently hold it on your piercing. Salt soaks can help with soothing irritation as well as loosening stubborn crusty bits.

What to Avoid

In addition to conscious healing habits, it’s also important to be aware of what not to do during your inverted labret healing period.

Avoid any cleaning chemicals like rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, Bactine, Neosporin or anti-bacterial soap. These solutions will only be irritating to your Ashley piercing and will not aid in healing.

It‘s also smart to be extra conscious of how you touch your face. When cleansing or applying skincare, be especially careful around your lips so you don’t touch or contaminate your inverted labret piercing with outside products. Be careful to avoid cotton products as well since the fibers can get stuck in your jewelry and cause further irritation.

Avoid shared bodies of water, since these areas can introduce unwanted bacteria into your Ashley piercing and lead to infection. It’s best to wait until your piercing is fully healed before diving in.

Remember that a healthy Ashley piercing is a happy piercing, and healing your piercing well will pay off in the long run!