Angel fang piercings are a bold and unique way to level up your lip jewelry game, but before you commit, there are a few important things to know. Whether you’re new to piercings or just curious about this trending style, here’s a simple guide that breaks it all down.
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Angel fangs are a pair of vertical labret piercings that go through the top lip. They sit right above the upper lip, and the jewelry exits through the lip itself, not inside the mouth. This makes them different from similar piercings like angel bites, which go through the skin above the lip and exit inside the mouth.
The name “angel fangs” comes from their fang-like appearance, especially when you wear jewelry with spike or cone-shaped ends. It’s a look that’s edgy and eye-catching!
Angel fangs are usually done with a 16g or 14g needle. Your piercer will use implant-grade titanium or another safe material, and the jewelry will be longer at first to make room for swelling. This is normal for lip piercings and usually goes down in about a week.
Important: These piercings don’t touch your gums or teeth like some other lip piercings, which is a bonus. But you could still accidentally bite them when they’re fresh, especially when eating or talking.
Angel fang piercings are anatomy dependent. Your piercer will check if your lip shape works for this piercing and may suggest other options if it’s not a good fit. Also, if you have braces, you’ll probably want to wait as your jewelry could get caught in them.
Pain levels vary from person to person, but most people rate lip piercings as low to moderate on the pain scale. Since this is a double piercing, it might feel more intense than a single one, and your lip will likely be a bit tender for a few days.
Healing is a big part of the process, and angel fangs take some time. Most oral piercings heal in about 2–4 months, but because these are a pair, full healing can take up to a year, depending on how your body reacts.
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Infections are rare if you take care of your piercing, but they can still happen. If you notice anything weird—like swelling that won’t go down, discharge, or pain that gets worse—talk to your piercer or a doctor.
Before you touch your piercing, always wash your hands with soap and warm water. You don’t want to introduce any germs to a fresh piercing—that’s a fast track to irritation or infection.
Your go-to product for aftercare should be a sterile saline spray. That’s it. No harsh soaps, alcohol, or hydrogen peroxide. Just simple, gentle saline. Spray each piercing with saline solution. Let it sit and dab away any excess solution. And thats it!
Once you’re healed, you’ll need to downsize your jewelry. The initial jewelry is longer to help accomodate for swelling, but long-term jewelry should fit snugly and comfortably. If you’re not sure when to switch, ask your piercer for help.
Angel fangs use curved barbells, and this is where you can have fun with your look. Want to go full vampire vibes? Try spikes, cones, or bullet-shaped ends. Prefer something softer or unique? There are tons of cool end options to choose from.
If you're wondering, “Can I use a curved barbell retainer for my angel fang piercings?” the short answer is: Yes, you totally can!
Angel fang piercings go through the upper lip and usually use curved barbells. So, if you’re looking for a more subtle look or need to hide your piercings for work or school, a curved barbell retainer is a good option.
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While the style of jewelry stays the same, the gauge (thickness) and length of the barbell matter a lot. You’ll want your retainer to match the size of the jewelry you already wear in your angel fang piercings.
If your retainer is too small or too long, it could cause irritation or healing issues—definitely not fun.
Not sure what size you need? You’ve got two solid options:
We also have helpful videos and guides that show you how to measure your jewelry the right way using just a ruler. It’s super simple once you see how it’s done.
That’s it! Super simple. Just be sure your jewelry fits well, and you’ll be good to go.
Pro tip: Before leaving the studio, ask your piercer what size your jewelry is. That info will make it way easier when you’re ready to shop for new pieces.
We get this question a lot: “Can you use silicone heart retainers in angel fangs piercing?” Let’s clear it up with a quick and simple breakdown.
A silicone heart retainer is a soft, flexible piece of jewelry shaped like a heart. It's designed to be a low-profile option for piercings where you want something subtle or non-metallic. These are usually used in piercings that take flatback jewelry.
Because they’re soft and flexible, they can be great for things like MRIs or when you need to hide a piercing — but they only work if the shape matches what your piercing needs.
Even though silicone heart retainers are flexible, their shape is made for straight piercings that use flatbacks or labret studs. Angel fangs require curved jewelry — and that’s where the problem lies.
If you try to use a heart retainer in an angel fangs piercing, the shape just doesn’t line up. It can press against the piercing in weird ways, which could lead to discomfort, irritation, or even cause healing issues. The soft silicone doesn’t magically adjust to a curve — it’ll still try to sit like it’s in a straight piercing.
If you’re trying to hide your angel fangs or need a non-metal option, look for a clear or skin-tone curved barbell retainer. These are made specifically for curved piercings and won’t mess with the angle of your jewelry.
Got more questions about piercings and jewelry types? We’ve got answers.
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