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

Spider bites are a pair of piercings placed close together on one side of the lower lip. The two studs sit side by side, creating a look that resembles — you guessed it — a spider bite. It's a bold, edgy style that's been gaining popularity, especially with the +22% year-over-year search trend.

If you're thinking about getting spider bites, this guide covers everything: pain, healing, the right jewelry, aftercare, and what to watch out for long-term.

What Are Spider Bites?

Spider bites consist of two piercings placed close together on one side of the lower lip, usually 1-2mm apart. Both piercings go through the lip tissue and sit against the gum line on the inside.

They're part of the "bite" piercing family, which includes several variations based on placement:

Spider bites: Two piercings, same side, close together.

Snake bites: Two piercings, one on each side of the lower lip (symmetrical).

Angel bites: Two piercings, one on each side of the upper lip.

Dolphin bites: Two piercings, centered below the lower lip, close together.

Spider bites are unique because both piercings are concentrated on one side, creating an asymmetrical, attention-grabbing look.

Does a Spider Bites Piercing Hurt?

Pain level: 4 out of 10 per piercing.

The lower lip is soft tissue, so each individual piercing is relatively quick. However, you're getting two piercings in one session, and the second one will feel more intense because the area is already tender from the first.

Most piercers will do both piercings back to back to get it over with. Expect significant swelling for the first 3-5 days — more than a single lip piercing because there are two wounds healing in close proximity.

Healing Time

Spider bites take 2-3 months to heal. Both piercings heal at the same rate since they're in the same tissue type.

The first week involves the most swelling. Days 2-4 are usually the peak — your lower lip will feel tight and puffy. This is normal and will gradually subside. Cold water (not ice directly on the piercing) can help manage swelling.

During healing, expect clear or whitish lymph discharge around both piercings. This is your body's natural healing response, not a sign of infection. See our piercing healing stages guide for a full breakdown of what to expect at each phase.

Spider Bites Jewelry

The standard jewelry for spider bites is a pair of flat back labret studs. These have a straight post with a flat disc on the inside of the lip and a decorative top on the outside.

Initial jewelry: Your piercer will use longer posts (8-10mm) to accommodate swelling. These are temporary and must be downsized once swelling subsides.

After healing: Downsize to shorter posts (6mm is typical) within 2-4 weeks. This is critical for both piercings — long posts left in after swelling cause dental problems.

Gauge: Spider bites are typically pierced at 16G.

Material: Implant-grade titanium (ASTM F-136) is the only material we recommend for healing oral piercings. It's biocompatible, nickel-free, and won't react with the sensitive lip tissue. Avoid surgical steel for any piercing that sits against teeth or gums.

Top options: Most people start with simple ball or flat disc tops, then switch to CZ gems, opals, or decorative ends once healed. The key is keeping the tops small — oversized tops will catch on your teeth.

Browse our threadless flat back studs and internally threaded labrets for spider bites jewelry.

The Spider Bites Procedure

Here's what to expect at your appointment:

Your piercer will have you rinse with antibacterial mouthwash first. They'll carefully mark both piercing placements on your lower lip — spacing is everything with spider bites, so take your time approving the marks. Both piercings should be evenly spaced and aligned.

The piercer will then pierce one side, insert the jewelry, and immediately move to the second. A hollow needle is used for each, followed by the labret stud. The whole process takes about 10-15 minutes.

Expect some bleeding and immediate swelling from both piercings.

Aftercare

Spider bites require both external and internal aftercare — just like any lip piercing, but doubled because you have two wounds.

External care: Spray sterile saline solution on both piercings 2 times per day. Pat dry with a clean paper towel. Don't touch, twist, or rotate either piece of jewelry.

Internal care: Rinse with alcohol-free saline or saltwater mouthwash after every meal and after drinking anything other than water. Avoid alcohol-based mouthwash.

During healing, avoid:

Kissing and oral contact for at least 2-3 weeks. Smoking — bacteria and chemicals go directly into the healing piercings. Spicy, acidic, or very hot foods for the first week. Playing with or clicking the jewelry against your teeth. Applying lip products or makeup near the piercings.

Downsizing — Don't Skip This

Downsizing is even more important with spider bites than a single lip piercing because you have two posts sitting against your gums and teeth.

Once swelling goes down (usually 2-4 weeks), go back to your piercer to get both posts shortened. Long posts left in after swelling will:

Rub against your gum line on the inside, causing gum recession. Catch on your teeth when talking and eating. Increase your risk of chipping or cracking teeth. Make the piercings look like they're sticking out too far.

This is not optional. Downsizing protects your teeth and gums for the long term.

Dental Risks

Spider bites carry a higher dental risk than a single lip piercing because there are two pieces of metal sitting against the gum line.

Gum recession: The flat backs rest against the gum tissue above your lower front teeth. Over time, repeated contact can wear the gum tissue down, exposing tooth roots. Downsizing promptly and choosing smooth, polished flat backs reduces this risk significantly.

Enamel wear: Two studs means twice the potential contact with your teeth. If you develop a habit of pressing the jewelry against your teeth or clicking them together, enamel damage can occur.

Tooth chipping: Metal jewelry hitting teeth — especially during eating — can chip enamel. Small, snug-fitting flat backs minimize this risk.

Regular dental checkups are strongly recommended with any oral piercing. Let your dentist know about your spider bites so they can monitor for early signs of gum recession or enamel wear.

Spider Bites vs. Other Bite Piercings

Choosing between bite piercings comes down to the look you want:

Spider bites: Both piercings on one side, close together. Asymmetrical, edgy, concentrated impact.

Snake bites: One piercing on each side of the lower lip. Symmetrical, balanced, popular with both men and women.

Angel bites: One piercing on each side of the upper lip. Like a symmetrical version of the monroe and madonna.

Dolphin bites: Two piercings centered under the lower lip, close together. Similar to spider bites but centered instead of off to one side.

All bite piercings use flat back labret studs, heal in 2-3 months, and carry similar dental risks. The choice is purely about aesthetic preference and placement.

Can You Hide Spider Bites?

Spider bites are on the face, so they're visible. You can use clear or skin-toned retainers to make them less noticeable, but two studs close together are harder to hide than a single piercing.

Don't switch to retainers until both piercings are fully healed (2-3 months minimum). Changing jewelry too early can irritate the piercings and extend healing. For more tips, check out our guide to hiding piercings at work.

Signs of Trouble

Normal: Swelling for 3-5 days (more pronounced than a single lip piercing). Clear or whitish discharge. Tenderness when eating or talking. A small irritation bump at one or both piercing sites.

See your piercer or doctor: Increasing pain, redness, or swelling after the first week. Thick yellow or green pus from either piercing. Fever. Jewelry sinking into the skin on either side. Excessive bleeding that doesn't stop.

Long-Term Care

Once fully healed, spider bites are low maintenance. Clean the area during your normal face-washing routine. Check that both jewelry tops are secure — threadless and threaded tops can loosen over time.

If you ever decide to remove them, lip piercings tend to close relatively quickly. Small scars or dimples may remain, but they're usually subtle.

Ready to find your spider bites jewelry? Browse our threadless flat back studs — implant-grade titanium with dozens of decorative top options.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do spider bites piercings cost?

Expect to pay $50-$100 for both piercings at a reputable studio. Some piercers charge per piercing, others offer a discount for pairs. The price usually includes the jewelry. Don't choose a piercer based on price alone — experience matters for precise spacing.

Can I get both piercings at the same time?

Yes, most piercers do both in one session. This is the standard approach — it ensures the spacing and alignment are symmetrical. Getting them in separate sessions risks uneven placement.

Do spider bites leave scars?

Two small dots or dimples will remain if you remove them. Since the piercings are close together, the scars are usually subtle and can look like small beauty marks. The longer you've had them, the more visible the marks may be.

Can I wear rings in spider bites instead of studs?

Once fully healed (2-3 months), you can switch to small seamless rings or hoops. However, rings move more and increase dental risk. Most piercers recommend keeping flat back studs for long-term wear and switching to rings only for short periods or special occasions.

Will spider bites affect my speech?

You may notice a slight lisp or difficulty with certain sounds for the first 1-2 weeks while swelling is present and you adjust to the jewelry. Once swelling goes down and you're used to the studs, speech returns to normal.

Can I eat normally with spider bites?

Stick to soft foods for the first 3-5 days while swelling is at its peak. Cut food into small pieces and chew carefully. Avoid spicy, acidic, and very hot foods for the first week. Rinse with saline mouthwash after every meal. Normal eating resumes once swelling subsides.

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