Snake Bites Piercing: Complete Guide to Pain, Healing, Jewelry & Dental Risks

What Is a Snake Bites Piercing?

A snake bites piercing consists of two symmetrical piercings on the lower lip — one on each side. The name comes from the way the two jewelry points resemble a snake's fangs. It's one of the most popular paired lip piercings and creates a bold, balanced look that frames the lower lip.

Each piercing is essentially a side labret — the jewelry passes through the skin below the lower lip, with the decorative end visible on the face and the flat back resting inside the mouth against the lower gums. The two piercings are placed at equal distances from the center of the lip to create perfect symmetry.

Snake bites have been a staple of alternative and punk style for decades, but they've crossed into mainstream fashion in recent years. 

Does a Snake Bites Piercing Hurt?

Each individual piercing rates about 4 out of 10 on the pain scale — same as a single labret. The tissue below the lip is soft with moderate nerve endings, so each piercing is a quick, sharp pinch.

The catch with snake bites is that you're getting two piercings in one session. The first one is straightforward. The second one tends to feel slightly more intense — not because the tissue is different, but because your body is already reacting to the first piercing with adrenaline, swelling, and heightened sensitivity.

Swelling is more significant than with a single labret because both sides of the lower lip swell simultaneously. Expect your lower lip to look noticeably puffy for the first 3-5 days. Eating and talking will require patience during this period.

Pain Comparison

• Earlobe: 2/10
• Nostril: 3/10
• Single labret: 4/10
• Snake bites (each): 4/10
• Medusa: 4/10
• Septum: 4/10
• Vertical labret: 5/10

Snake Bites Piercing Healing Time

Snake bites take 2 to 3 months to heal — the same as a single labret piercing. Both piercings heal independently, but because they're in the same area, irritation to one side can sometimes affect the other.

Week 1-2: Significant swelling on both sides of the lower lip. Your piercer will install longer posts on both piercings to accommodate the swelling. Eating is the biggest challenge — take small bites and chew carefully to avoid biting the jewelry. Cold water helps with swelling.

Weeks 3-6: Swelling subsides. Visit your piercer for a downsize on both piercings — this is critical. Two too-long posts inside your mouth means double the movement, double the tooth and gum contact, and double the risk of dental damage. Get both shortened at the same time.

Months 2-3: Full healing. Both piercing channels are mature, no tenderness, no discharge. You can now change jewelry or switch to rings.

Snake Bites Piercing Aftercare

Aftercare is the same as any labret piercing, but you're managing two piercings simultaneously. Consistency is even more important.

External care:

• Clean both piercings twice daily with sterile 0.9% saline solution. Spray each piercing individually, let sit, pat dry with clean gauze.
• Keep makeup and skincare products away from both piercings until healed.
• Don't touch either piercing with unwashed hands.

Internal (oral) care:

• Rinse with alcohol-free mouthwash or saline solution after every meal and before bed. One rinse covers both piercings.
• Don't use alcohol-based mouthwash — too harsh for healing piercings.
• Avoid spicy, acidic, and very hot foods during the first week.
• Avoid smoking and vaping during healing.
• Don't play with either piercing with your tongue or teeth.

General don'ts:

• No kissing or oral contact during healing.
• No submerging in pools, hot tubs, or open water.
• No alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or tea tree oil on either piercing.
• Don't twist, rotate, or fidget with the jewelry on either side.

For the complete routine, read our piercing aftercare guide.

Best Jewelry for Snake Bites

Jewelry Types

Matching flat-back labret studs are the standard for snake bites, both during healing and as everyday wear. The flat disc sits inside the mouth on each side, and the decorative ends face outward. Matching studs in the same size, material, and design create the clean symmetrical look that defines snake bites.

Our threadless flat-back collection is ideal for snake bites — buy two matching labret bars and two matching tops. You can swap tops on both sides whenever you want a new look without removing the posts.

Internally threaded labrets work equally well for a more secure hold.

Matching hoops or rings are a popular option for healed snake bites. Two small hinged hoops or captive bead rings — one on each side — create the classic snake bites ring look. This is a bolder aesthetic than studs but carries slightly more dental risk because rings move more.

Mix and match: Some people wear a stud on one side and a ring on the other for an asymmetrical look. This is a style choice — there's no right or wrong way to wear healed snake bites.

Jewelry Size

• Gauge: 16G (1.2mm) is standard for both piercings. Some piercers use 14G.
• Post length (studs): Initial jewelry is usually 10mm or 12mm on each side. After downsizing, standard is 6mm or 8mm.
• Hoop diameter (rings): 8mm or 10mm. Both hoops should be the same diameter for symmetry.

Important: Buy matching jewelry for snake bites. Mismatched sizes, gauges, or materials will look uneven and can heal differently. When shopping, buy two of everything.

Best Material

Implant-grade titanium (ASTM F-136) is the safest material for snake bites. Both flat-back discs sit against your lower gums, so both need to be biocompatible. Titanium is nickel-free, lightweight, and the safest choice for oral piercings.

Avoid surgical steel, acrylic, plated metals, and sterling silver. Sterling silver tarnishes inside the mouth and can cause permanent black staining of gum tissue — and with snake bites, you'd have two points of contact causing twice the damage.

Snake Bites and Dental Health

Snake bites carry the same dental risks as a single labret — but doubled, because there are two piercings with two flat discs sitting against the gums.

Gum recession: Two discs resting against the lower gums on both sides of the front teeth. Over time, both contact points can cause gum recession. This is the most significant long-term risk.

Enamel wear: Two pieces of jewelry inside the mouth means twice the potential for metal-on-tooth contact, especially if you play with the jewelry.

Chipping: Risk of biting down on jewelry is higher with two piercings because there's less "safe space" in the lower lip area.

How to minimize dental risks:

• Get both piercings downsized on time. Shorter posts = less movement = less gum contact.
• Wear flat-back studs for daily wear. Save rings for occasions if dental health is a concern.
• Don't play with either piercing. Two piercings means double the temptation — resist it.
• Use titanium on both sides. Lightweight, smooth, and gentle on gums.
• See your dentist regularly. Monitor both sides for gum recession.

Snake Bites Piercing Cost

Snake bites typically cost $50 to $100 for both piercings, including jewelry. Many studios offer a discount for paired piercings done in the same session — you'll pay less than the cost of two separate labret piercings.

Some studios charge per piercing ($30-$60 each) with no paired discount. Ask about pricing for both before your appointment.

Snake Bites Placement

Symmetry is everything with snake bites. The two piercings should be placed at exactly the same distance from the center of the lip, at the same height, and at the same angle. Even a millimeter of difference between the two sides is visible because they sit on either side of a center reference point (your lip).

Your piercer will carefully mark both points and have you check them in a mirror before piercing. Take your time with this step — the marks need to look perfectly balanced. If something looks off, speak up before the needle goes in.

Can I get one now and the other later? Yes — some people get one side labret first, heal it, then add the second side to complete the snake bites. This is actually easier on your body since you're only healing one piercing at a time. Just make sure your piercer places the first one with the intention of matching the second side later.

Snake Bites vs Other Paired Lip Piercings

Snake bites vs Spider bites: Spider bites are two piercings placed close together on the same side of the lower lip. Snake bites are symmetrical (one per side). Spider bites create a clustered look; snake bites create a balanced, framing look.

Snake bites vs Angel bites: Angel bites are the upper lip version — one Monroe + one Madonna, creating matching piercings on each side of the upper lip. Same concept as snake bites but on the opposite lip.

Snake bites vs Dolphin bites: Dolphin bites are two piercings placed close together in the center of the lower lip. They sit closer together than snake bites and create a more concentrated look.

Snake bites vs Canine bites: Canine bites combine snake bites (lower) + angel bites (upper) for a total of four piercings — one on each corner of both lips. The most extreme paired lip configuration.

For details on all lip piercing types, read our lip piercing guide.

Common Problems and Solutions

Uneven swelling: One side may swell more than the other, making the piercings look temporarily asymmetrical. This is normal — both sides swell at their own pace. Don't panic. Once swelling goes down (1-2 weeks), symmetry returns.

Irritation bumps: Can appear on one or both piercings. Common causes: touching, harsh products, posts that are too long. Treat each side individually — saline cleaning, hands off, proper sizing.

One side healing faster: It's common for one piercing to heal slightly faster than the other. Don't change jewelry on the healed side until the slower side is also fully healed — you want both piercings stable before making changes.

Difficulty eating: The first week with snake bites is challenging because both sides of the lip have fresh piercings. Soft foods, small bites, and patience are key. It gets dramatically easier after the first week as swelling goes down.

Catching on teeth: With two piercings, there's more jewelry inside your mouth. Until you develop awareness of where the discs are, you may accidentally bite down on them. Downsizing to shorter posts significantly reduces this problem.

Snake Bites Piercing FAQs

How long until I can change my snake bites jewelry?
Wait at least 2-3 months until both piercings are fully healed. Change both sides at the same time to maintain symmetry. With threadless labrets, you can swap just the tops without removing the posts.

Can I get snake bites if I already have a center labret?
Yes — adding two side piercings to an existing center labret creates a configuration sometimes called "shark bites" (three lower lip piercings). Make sure the center labret is fully healed before adding the sides.

Will snake bites affect my speech?
Slightly, for the first 1-2 weeks. Two piercings cause more swelling than one, which temporarily affects how your lips move. Speech returns to normal as swelling subsides.

Can I switch from studs to rings on both sides?
Yes, once fully healed. Two matching small hoops (8mm or 10mm) in the same material and finish create the classic snake bites ring look. Have your piercer do the first switch.

Will snake bites leave scars if I remove them?
Yes — two small dots, one on each side of the lower lip. Because they're symmetrical, the scars tend to look intentional and are relatively discreet. They fade over time.

Shop Snake Bites Jewelry

Build your matching set — threadless flat-back labrets and internally threaded labrets in implant-grade titanium (ASTM F-136). Buy two matching bars and two matching tops for perfect symmetry. Hinged hoops also available for healed snake bites. Every piece is independently lab tested, nickel-free, and backed by 179,000+ orders. Free shipping on orders over $50.

This guide is for informational purposes only. Always consult with a professional piercer for personalized advice about your specific piercing.