Snake Bite Piercing Guide: Gauge, Healing, Jewelry & Other Bites
A snake bite piercing is a pair of lip piercings below the bottom lip, one on each side, usually at 16G or 14G. Snake bites typically take 2–3 months to heal and start with flat-back labret studs. Hoops come later. This guide covers snake bites, how they compare to spider, cyber, canine and the other "bites," then sizing, studs vs. hoops, metals, healing and when you can change your jewelry.
Written by Clifton Santiago, a body piercer with more than 20 years of experience.
A note before you start: we sell body jewelry, not piercing services. Snake bites and every other piercing in this guide should be done with a sterile needle by a professional piercer. Piercing guns are not made for lip tissue.
Snake bite piercing at a glance
| Placement | Below the bottom lip, one on each side, toward the corners of the mouth |
|---|---|
| Number of piercings | Two, usually done in the same session |
| Typical gauge | 16G (1.2mm), sometimes 14G (1.6mm) |
| Typical healing time | 2–3 months |
| Starter jewelry | Flat-back labret studs on a longer post, often 3/8" (10mm) |
| After downsizing | Labret posts of 5/16" (8mm) or 1/4" (6mm) |
| Hoops (once healed) | 5/16" (8mm) or 3/8" (10mm) inner diameter |
Gauges and healing times vary by piercer and by person. Treat these as typical ranges, not promises.
What is a snake bite piercing?
Snake bites are two side labret piercings, one on the left and one on the right of the bottom lip, placed symmetrically so the pair looks like a snake's fangs. Each piercing passes through the lip just below the lip line. A ball, spike or gem sits on the outside, and a flat disc rests inside your mouth against the gums.
Your piercer will mark both sides and check them with your mouth relaxed and smiling, so the pair looks even. If you want hoops later, say so up front: a hoop needs a little more room between the piercing and the edge of the lip.
For how snake bites fit among single lip piercings like the labret, Monroe and medusa, see our guide to the types of lip piercings.
Snake bites vs. spider bites and the other "bites"
"Bites" is the name for a set of paired lip piercings. The lip bites all start with flat-back labrets and heal on a similar timeline; only the placement changes.
| Piercing | Where it goes | Typical gauge | Typical healing time | Starter jewelry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Snake bites | Below the bottom lip, one on each side | 16G or 14G | 2–3 months | Flat-back labrets |
| Spider bites | Two close together on one side of the bottom lip | 16G or 14G | 2–3 months | Flat-back labrets |
| Dolphin bites | Two close together in the center, below the bottom lip | 16G or 14G | 2–3 months | Flat-back labrets |
| Shark bites | Spider bites on both sides of the bottom lip (four piercings) | 16G or 14G | 2–3 months each | Flat-back labrets |
| Cyber bites | A medusa above the upper lip plus a center labret below the bottom lip | 16G or 14G | 2–3 months | Flat-back labrets |
| Canine bites | Snake bites plus angel bites (four piercings) | 16G or 14G | 2–3 months each | Flat-back labrets |
| Angel bites | Above the upper lip, one on each side | 16G or 14G | 2–3 months each | Flat-back labrets |
| Venom bites | Two through the tongue, side by side | 14G | 4–8 weeks | Straight barbells |
Spider bites
Spider bites are two piercings close together on the same side of the bottom lip, instead of one on each side. Your piercer will leave enough tissue between them so the jewelry doesn't crowd. Small studs or a pair of healed hoops are the usual look.
Dolphin bites and shark bites
Dolphin bites are two piercings close together in the center, below the bottom lip. Shark bites are spider bites on both sides of the lower lip, four piercings in total, so many piercers do them in stages.
Cyber bites
Cyber bites pair a medusa (the center groove above the upper lip) with a center labret below the bottom lip, so the two studs line up vertically. Both use flat-back labret studs.
Canine and angel bites
Angel bites are a Monroe and a Madonna together, one on each side above the upper lip. Add snake bites below and you have canine bites: four piercings, two above and two below the lips, framing the mouth. Many piercers split canine bites over two sessions.
Venom bites (snake bites on the tongue)
"Snake bites on the tongue" usually means venom bites: two tongue piercings side by side, each with a straight barbell. They're usually 14G and start on long barbells to allow for swelling. See our tongue rings. For types, sizes and healing, see our tongue piercing guide.
Snake bite piercing size: gauge, length and diameter
Snake bite jewelry is sized two ways: the gauge (thickness of the post or wire) and the length or diameter.
| Gauge | Thickness | Usually used for |
|---|---|---|
| 18G | 1.0mm | Fine labret studs (healed piercings only) |
| 16G | 1.2mm | Most snake bites, the standard size |
| 14G | 1.6mm | Snake bites pierced thicker; also venom bites |
A lower gauge number means thicker jewelry. Match the gauge your piercer used, and wear the same gauge on both sides.
| Jewelry | Common size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Starter labret post | 3/8" (10mm) or longer | Leaves room for swelling |
| Downsized labret post | 5/16" (8mm) or 1/4" (6mm) | Sits closer, rubs your gums less |
| Hoop, snug | 5/16" (8mm) | Hugs the edge of the lip |
| Hoop, looser | 3/8" (10mm) | For piercings placed lower or a fuller lip |
The right hoop diameter depends on how far each piercing sits from the edge of your lip. For a full measuring walkthrough, see our body jewelry gauge size chart.
Snake bite jewelry: studs vs. hoops
Most piercers start snake bites with flat-back labret studs, because a stud moves less than a hoop while the tissue heals. Hoops are the classic healed look.
- Flat-back labret stud: a straight post with a flat disc inside the mouth and a ball, spike or gem on the front. Examples: our titanium labret stud with a 3mm ball, titanium labret stud with a spike end and titanium labret stud with a CZ gem. Browse all labret studs.
- Seamless hinged hoop: a ring with a hinged segment that clicks shut, for healed snake bites. Example: our titanium hinged segment ring, sold in 16G and 14G, singly or in multipacks, so you can buy a matching pair. It also comes in black titanium. See all hinged rings and piercing hoops.
Choosing a metal
- Titanium is the usual choice for new or sensitive piercings. Our titanium body jewelry is G23 titanium, which contains no nickel.
- Surgical steel is durable and affordable, but it contains a small amount of nickel. It's best worn in fully healed snake bites, and people with a nickel sensitivity should choose titanium. Example: our 16G surgical steel push-pin labret.
- 14K gold works well in healed piercings. Choose solid gold rather than plated.
- Sterling silver isn't recommended for lip piercings. It tarnishes in contact with saliva and can irritate the tissue.
How long do snake bites take to heal?
Snake bites typically take about 2–3 months to heal, and one side may settle before the other. Swelling peaks in the first few days, and a piercing can look healed before the tissue inside has caught up.
Snake bites heal from two sides: your skin outside and your mouth inside. Clean the outside with sterile saline; our post on saline solution focuses on noses, but the routine is the same. Inside, rinse with alcohol-free mouthwash or saline after eating, go easy on smoking, alcohol and spicy food, and don't play with the discs using your tongue.
Some redness, tenderness and clear or whitish fluid are normal early on. If you see spreading redness, heat, thick yellow or green discharge, or you develop a fever, see a doctor. Leave the jewelry in unless they tell you otherwise.
When can I change my snake bites?
Wait until both piercings are fully healed, usually 2–3 months, before changing the jewelry yourself. Changing it early can irritate the piercings, and lip piercings can shrink quickly with the jewelry out.
The one exception is downsizing. Once the swelling goes down, usually within a few weeks, your piercer should swap the long starter posts for shorter ones. Don't skip it: a post that's too long rubs your gums and can chip teeth.
Switching to hoops: wait until the piercings are fully healed, and longer if either side is still tender. Hoops move more than studs, and an early switch is a common cause of irritation. Match the gauge you're wearing, start with a hoop that isn't too tight, and change one side at a time.
Do snake bites hurt?
Most people describe each snake bite as a quick, sharp pinch, about the same as a single labret. The difference is that you get two in one sitting, so expect two pinches and swelling on both sides at once. Pain is personal, but in the bites family:
- Lower: snake bites, spider bites, dolphin bites
- Moderate: cyber bites, angel bites
- Higher: shark bites and canine bites (four piercings)
Eat soft, cool foods for the first few days while the swelling settles.
Frequently asked questions
Do snake bite piercings mess up teeth?
They can. The discs rest against your gums and the backs of your teeth, and long-term rubbing is linked to gum recession and chipped enamel. Downsizing after the swelling settles, choosing flat discs and keeping up with dental checkups all reduce the risk.
When can I change my snake bites to hoops?
Only once both sides are fully healed, typically 2–3 months at the earliest. Many people wait longer. If either side gets sore after the switch, go back to studs until it settles.
What gauge are snake bites?
Most snake bites are pierced at 16G (1.2mm), some at 14G (1.6mm). Ask your piercer which gauge they used before you buy new jewelry.
When can I kiss after a snake bite piercing?
Avoid open-mouth kissing and oral contact until both piercings are healed, and at minimum for the first few weeks. Another person's saliva can carry bacteria into a fresh piercing.
How much does a snake bite piercing cost?
It varies by studio and city. Snake bites are two piercings, so they usually cost more than a single lip piercing, and the price often includes starter jewelry. Ask whether the quote covers both sides and which metal the jewelry is.
Planning other piercings? See our guides to the types of lip piercings and the types of nose piercings.
Find your snake bite jewelry
Whether you're picking titanium labrets for downsizing or a matching pair of hoops for healed snake bites, we've sold body jewelry since 2018. Free shipping on orders over $35. Shop all lip piercing jewelry.