The vertical labret is a lip piercing that passes vertically through the lower lip, entering on the upper surface near the vermillion border and exiting underneath the lip. Unlike many other oral piercings, the vertical labret does not enter the inside of the mouth, which minimizes the risk of damage to teeth and gums. The question of how quickly this piercing closes is complex, as the process is highly variable and depends on biological and physical factors. Closure occurs in two distinct phases: an immediate shrinking and a long-term tissue remodeling process.
Immediate and Long-Term Closure Timelines
The immediate response to removing the jewelry is the rapid contraction of the piercing channel, or fistula, particularly in the highly elastic lip tissue. Within minutes to a few hours of removing the curved barbell, the tissue begins to constrict around the empty space. This initial shrinking makes reinsertion of the jewelry difficult or impossible, even in a well-established piercing.
This rapid constriction is often mistaken for complete healing, but it is merely the physical collapse of the tunnel. Full, long-term closure requires the body to rebuild the tissue that formed the fistula, a process called tissue remodeling. For a fully healed vertical labret, the complete closure and internal restructuring of the piercing site typically takes weeks to several months. The excellent blood flow in the lip area, which aids in the initial healing of the piercing, also contributes to its ability to close up quickly once the jewelry is removed.
Factors Determining Healing Speed
The single most influential factor determining closure speed is the age of the piercing. A vertical labret piercing that is only a few weeks old, or still within its initial 6 to 8-week healing period, will close almost instantly and is likely to heal completely without leaving a permanent track. Conversely, a piercing that has been worn for several years has a fully established fistula lined with scar tissue, which will close much more slowly.
The size, or gauge, of the jewelry also plays a role in the duration of closure, as larger gauges require more tissue to fill the space. While standard vertical labrets are typically 14 or 16 gauge, a larger diameter offers more surface area for the body to heal over, slightly lengthening the closure time. Individual genetic factors and overall health status affect the body’s regenerative capacity; some people’s lip piercings may close entirely within 24 hours even after years of having them. Finally, maintaining cleanliness after jewelry removal is important, as preventing infection allows the body to focus its resources on tissue repair, supporting a smoother closure process.
Scarring and Appearance After Closure
When a vertical labret piercing closes, the aesthetic outcome is generally minimal compared to other facial piercings, but it is not entirely invisible. The resulting marks are typically categorized as atrophic scars, which appear as small, slightly indented dots at the former entry and exit points. This type of scarring occurs when the tissue underneath the skin surface is lost, causing a slight depression.
The scar on the top surface of the lip, at the vermillion border, may be slightly more noticeable initially due to the distinct color and texture difference between the lip and surrounding skin. The exit point underneath the lip is often less conspicuous because it is situated on the smoother skin below the lip’s curve. Over time, these small marks tend to lighten and blend with the surrounding tissue due to the high vascularity of the lip area.
To minimize the final appearance of the residual marks, topical treatments can be used once the piercing channel has fully closed and the area is no longer an open wound. Products containing silicone, such as scar gels or sheets, are proven to help flatten and reduce the discoloration of scars. Regular, gentle massage of the area can also assist in softening the internal scar tissue, helping the skin surface to eventually appear smoother.