A snake bites piercing is two lower-lip piercings placed symmetrically, one on each side, so they sit like the fangs of a snake. They’re done at 16 gauge (1.2mm) with a pair of labret studs, and they heal in roughly 8 to 12 weeks, faster than cartilage because lip tissue is soft and well supplied with blood.
⚡ Quick answer
Snake bites are two lower-lip piercings placed symmetrically, one on each side, so they sit like a snake’s fangs. They’re done at 16 gauge with a pair of labret studs and heal in roughly 8 to 12 weeks.
What Is a Snake Bites Piercing?
Snake bites are defined by the pair and the symmetry. One piercing sits below the lip on the left, a matching one sits below the lip on the right, and together they mimic the two-fang bite a snake leaves behind. Each is a standard lower-lip piercing on its own, and the snake bites name simply refers to wearing both at once, balanced across the center.
Each side is technically a lower labret-style piercing, passing from the outside of the lip through to the inside of the mouth. For the mechanics of a single one of these, the labret piercing guide breaks down the anatomy in full. Snake bites just take that one piercing and mirror it.
Placement is exacting work. The two dots have to be equal distances from the center of the lip and sit at the same height, or the whole look reads as crooked. A careful piercer measures from the midline, marks both points, and has you check them in a mirror before anything moves forward. For the wider family of lip work, the lip piercings hub maps every placement.
Snake Bites vs Spider Bites vs Angel Bites
These three names get mixed up constantly, and they’re all paired lip piercings. The difference comes down to where the two holes land. Snake bites straddle the lower lip; spider bites cluster on one side; angel bites move up to the top lip.
| Style | Placement | Spacing | Look |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snake bites | Lower lip, one each side | Symmetrical, wide apart | Two “fangs” flanking the lower lip |
| Spider bites | Lower lip, both on one side | Close together (a few mm) | Two studs clustered on one side |
| Angel bites | Upper lip, one each side | Symmetrical, flanking center | Upper-lip mirror of snake bites |
| Viper bites | Lower lip edge, one each side | Symmetrical, on the lip itself | Studs right on the lip border |
The quick way to keep them straight: snake bites are the wide, symmetrical lower pair, spider bites are the tight pair on one side, and angel bites are the upper-lip pair. Mix and match and you get combinations, and snake bites plus angel bites together are sometimes called “shark bites” or a full set, though studios vary on the naming.
Does a Snake Bites Piercing Hurt?
Snake bites usually land at 4–6 out of 10. The lip is rich in nerve endings, so the needle is a sharp, bright pinch, but the tissue is soft, so each pass is over in a second or two. There’s no cartilage to grind through, which is why a lip piercing feels different from an ear.
Because there are two piercings, you feel that pinch twice. Most piercers do both in one session, one side then the other, so the second pass often reads as less intense once adrenaline floods in from the first. For a lot of people the anticipation between the two passes is worse than the second pass itself.
Against other lip and mouth piercings, snake bites sit mid-range for pain and heal on the slower end because there are two wounds:
| Piercing | Pain (1–10) | Healing Time | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snake bites | 4–6 | 8–12 weeks | Two soft-tissue passes, lots of nerves |
| Single labret | 3–5 | 6–8 weeks | One soft-tissue pass |
| Spider bites | 4–6 | 8–12 weeks | Two passes close together, one side |
| Tongue | 4–6 | 4–6 weeks | Muscular tissue, fast healer but swells |
| Septum | 3–4 | 6–8 weeks | Soft tissue sweet spot, not cartilage |
Eat a real meal beforehand, stay hydrated, and keep your jaw loose on the table, since clenching makes the lip tense and the pass harder. The actual sting is brief; what lingers is the swelling over the next few days, which is normal lip behavior.
Healing Timeline
Both sides of a snake bites piercing heal together, and lip tissue is a fast healer compared to cartilage. The trade-off is the mouth: saliva, food, talking, and constant lip movement all keep the area busy, so the inside of each piercing needs as much attention as the outside.
| Stage | Timeframe | What to Expect |
|---|---|---|
| Initial | Days 1–5 | Significant swelling, tenderness, possible bruising on both sides |
| Settling | Weeks 1–3 | Swelling drops, soreness eases, light crusting on the outside |
| Downsize | Weeks 3–4 | Long starter posts swapped for shorter ones once swelling resolves |
| Consolidation | Weeks 5–8 | Looks and feels settled; channels still firming internally |
| Fully healed | Weeks 8–12 | Both sides stable, ready for a jewelry change |
The early swelling is real, and it’s why the starter posts are left long. If you don’t downsize once the swelling drops, the extra length lets the back disc knock against your teeth and gums, doubled across two piercings. Book the downsize at 3–4 weeks rather than letting it slide.
The Piercing Procedure
Your piercer starts by measuring from the center of your lip and marking both points so they sit at matching height and distance. Nothing happens until you’ve checked both dots in a mirror and approved them, since this is the moment that decides whether your snake bites look balanced. Then the area is cleaned inside and out.
Each side is pierced with its own single-use hollow needle, usually one side then the other in the same sitting. The piercer pierces from the outside in, places the labret stud with the flat disc resting inside your mouth, and secures the front. Most studios fit longer posts on purpose to leave room for the swelling that’s coming.
If you’d rather stagger the two sides by a few weeks, say so before you book. Staggering spreads the swelling and aftercare load, but it carries a real risk: matching the second side perfectly to a healing first side is harder than placing both fresh in one go. For most people chasing clean symmetry, a single session is the better bet. Never let anyone use a piercing gun on a lip; the Association of Professional Piercers is clear that lip work is needle-only, since a gun crushes tissue and can’t be sterilized properly.
Jewelry Options
Snake bites almost always start as a pair of labret studs: a straight post with a flat disc on the back that sits against the inside of your lip, and a small ball or flat top on the front. The flat back is the key feature, more comfortable against the gums than a ring and far less likely to catch on teeth during healing.
The starter posts run long to accommodate swelling, then get downsized around 3–4 weeks. Rings and hoops are popular for the healed look, but most piercers keep them out of the early phase because the constant movement of a ring drags on fresh tissue.
| Style | Best For | Gauge | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Labret stud (long post) | Initial healing | 16g (1.2mm) | Flat back disc; longer post leaves room for swelling |
| Labret stud (short post) | After downsize | 16g (1.2mm) | 6–8mm post; keeps the back disc off teeth and gums |
| Captive or seamless ring | Fully healed only | 16g (1.2mm) | Hoop look; more movement, more snag risk, not for fresh piercings |
| Clicker / segment ring | Fully healed only | 16g (1.2mm) | Hinged for easy changes; decorative front options |
Material matters as much as style, and it matters more in the mouth, where jewelry sits in saliva all day. Implant-grade titanium (ASTM F136) is the go-to: light, hypoallergenic, and able to be anodized into colors. Implant-grade steel (ASTM F138) is a solid alternative. Skip cheap plated pieces and mystery alloys, which can leach nickel into healing tissue. The titanium vs surgical steel guide compares the two for a fresh oral piercing.
Symmetry and Spacing
Symmetry is what separates a clean set of snake bites from a sloppy one. The two studs should sit equal distances from the center of your lip and at the same height below it, so the pair frames the lip evenly. A skilled piercer measures this rather than eyeballing it.
Faces are rarely perfectly even, though, and chasing mathematical symmetry can actually look wrong on an asymmetric face. A good piercer reads your natural lip line and may shade the placement slightly so the result looks balanced to the eye, which isn’t always the same as identical measurements. Trust a piercer who explains this rather than one who just stamps two dots.
Spacing from the lip edge matters too. Set too high and the studs crowd the lip; set too low and they drift toward the chin and lose the snake bites look. The sweet spot is close enough to flank the lower lip cleanly without the back discs sitting on sensitive gum tissue inside.
Teeth, Gums and Oral Aftercare
The teeth-and-gums question is where snake bites need the most honesty, and the risk is doubled because there are two studs. The flat back disc of each labret rests inside your mouth, against the gums and the backs of the teeth. Over months and years, that constant metal-on-enamel contact can wear teeth down or push the gumline back, a pattern that Healthdirect lists among the recognised risks of lip and mouth piercings.
You can lower the odds. Downsizing to a short post once the swelling drops keeps the disc snug against the lip instead of swinging against your teeth. Choosing a smaller, flatter back disc helps, as does staying aware of where the jewelry sits when you talk and chew. Many dentists recommend flagging lip piercings at checkups so any gum recession gets caught early, though this is guidance rather than a guarantee, and your own dentist is the right person to advise you.
The mouth side also needs its own cleaning routine on top of the outside saline. Snake bites mean two oral wounds exposed to food, drink, and bacteria all day long.
- Wash your hands first. Every single time, before you touch either piercing or the jewelry, no exceptions.
- Spray sterile saline on the outside of both piercings. Use a 0.9% sodium chloride wound wash twice a day, morning and night, on all four outer surfaces.
- Rinse your mouth after anything but water. Swish an alcohol-free saline or diluted mouthwash after every meal, coffee, soda, or cigarette to flush both inner wounds.
- Soften crust before lifting it. Let saline soak in, then wipe dried matter with clean gauze. Never pick at it dry, and never use cotton balls, since the fibers snag.
- Eat carefully for the first week. Small bites, cool soft foods, and chew toward the back of your mouth to keep pressure off both fresh holes.
- Air dry the outside. Pat with a fresh paper towel if needed; cloth towels carry bacteria and catch on the studs.
- Leave the jewelry alone. No spinning, no playing with the studs against your teeth, no swapping early. Movement on two piercings is double the irritation.
Full aftercare protocols, including how to handle irritation bumps around the piercing, live in the piercing aftercare guide.
These slow healing or cause problems, so avoid all of them:
- Alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or full-strength mouthwash, which burn and dry healing tissue
- Playing with the studs against your teeth or gums
- Kissing, oral contact, or sharing drinks and utensils until fully healed
- Smoking and vaping, which both slow healing and irritate fresh oral wounds
- Spicy, acidic, crunchy, or very hot foods in the first week or two
- Changing the jewelry before both sides are confirmed healed
- Skipping the downsize, since long posts banging against teeth cause real damage
Pros and Cons
Snake bites are a bold, symmetrical statement that heals faster than cartilage but asks for serious oral discipline.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Striking symmetrical look that frames the mouth | Two piercings means doubled aftercare and cost |
| Heals faster than cartilage (8–12 weeks) | Real risk of tooth and gum wear over time |
| Easy to swap studs for rings once healed | Heavy swelling in the first few days |
| Removable and closes relatively cleanly if you change your mind | Oral cleaning routine after every meal and drink |
| Placement can be tuned to your natural lip line | Symmetry depends heavily on piercer skill |
Cost
Snake bites usually run $70 to $140 for the pair, and pricing structure varies by studio. Because it’s two piercings, many shops charge per piercing, commonly $30 to $60 each, while others quote a single snake bites fee. The jewelry may be included or billed separately, so ask before you sit down.
A quality pair of starter labret studs in implant-grade titanium typically adds $20 to $50 over a budget option, and it’s money well spent for jewelry that lives in your mouth. Factor in the downsize visit at 3–4 weeks too, since some studios fold it into the original price and others charge for the shorter posts.
On a symmetrical piercing, skimping on the piercer rarely pays off. Two piercings placed even 1–2mm out of balance will read as crooked every time you look in the mirror, and the only fix is letting them close and starting over. Pay for someone whose healed work you’ve actually seen.
Frequently Asked Questions
How painful is a snake bites piercing?
Most people rate a snake bites piercing 4–6 out of 10. The lip has plenty of nerve endings, so each pass is a sharp, quick pinch, but the soft tissue means it’s over fast. Because there are two piercings, you feel that pinch twice — most piercers do them back to back in one session, so the second often stings less as adrenaline kicks in.
How long does a snake bites piercing take to heal?
Snake bites take roughly 8 to 12 weeks to heal, faster than most cartilage piercings because lip tissue is soft and well supplied with blood. Both sides heal on the same clock, and the inside of the lip usually settles before the outside. Don’t treat soreness fading as fully healed — wait the full window before changing jewelry.
What is the difference between snake bites, spider bites and angel bites?
All three are paired lip piercings, but the placement differs. Snake bites are two piercings on the lower lip, one on each side, spaced symmetrically. Spider bites are two piercings close together on one side of the lower lip. Angel bites are the upper-lip version — two piercings flanking the center, one on each side above the lip.
Should I get both snake bites at the same time or stagger them?
Most people get both in one session so the symmetry is set in a single sitting and you heal everything at once. Staggering by a few weeks lets the first side settle before the second, which some find easier to manage, but it risks the two sides not matching perfectly. If symmetry matters to you, a single session with a skilled piercer is the safer call.
Can snake bites damage your teeth and gums?
They can, and with two studs the risk is doubled. The flat back disc of each labret rests against the gums and teeth, and over time the metal can wear enamel or push the gumline back. Choosing a low-profile, snug labret, downsizing once swelling drops, and keeping the discs off your teeth all reduce the risk. Many dentists advise monitoring lip piercings at regular checkups.
What jewelry do you start snake bites with?
Most piercers start with two 16 gauge (1.2mm) labret studs — a flat-backed post with a small ball or disc on the front. The initial post is left longer to allow for swelling, usually around 10mm, then downsized to roughly 6–8mm once the swelling settles at 3–4 weeks. Rings are usually saved for after healing.
Do snake bites have to be perfectly symmetrical?
Symmetry is the whole point of snake bites, so good piercers measure carefully from the center of the lip and check the marks in a mirror before piercing. Faces are rarely perfectly even, so a piercer may adjust slightly to suit your natural lip line rather than chase mathematical symmetry. Always approve both dots in the mirror before any needle goes in.
How do I clean snake bites piercings?
Clean the outside of both piercings with sterile saline twice a day, and rinse the inside of your mouth with an alcohol-free saline or diluted mouthwash after eating, drinking anything but water, and smoking. Because there are two piercings plus the oral side, that’s a lot of surfaces to keep clean. Avoid touching the jewelry and let the outside air dry after each saline spray.
Final Thoughts
Snake bites get their impact from symmetry: two studs, one on each side of the lower lip, framing the mouth like a pair of fangs. They heal faster than cartilage, in 8 to 12 weeks, but the mouth side and the doubled dental risk are where the work really lives. Expect a 4–6 out of 10 on the needle and a pair of 16 gauge titanium labret studs to start.
Get both dots placed by a piercer whose healed work you’ve seen, spray saline outside and rinse inside on schedule, and book the downsize at 3–4 weeks so the posts stop knocking your teeth. Done right, snake bites are one of the most balanced statements you can wear on a face.