Angel Fangs Piercing Information & Aftercare Guide

Angel fangs represent an evolution in piercing. What started with the vertical labret soon evolved to the jestrum (or vertical philtrum), and angel fangs are the next part of the piercing evolution process. This piercing combines the concept of angel bites with jewelry to create a fanged look.

If you’re feeling vampiric, read on to learn more about this piercing, which is actually two separate piercings.

What Are Angel Fangs?

Angel fangs are two paired, symmetrical, vertical upper lip piercings. They are placed on either side of the philtrum. While some piercers still refer to them as paired vertical upper lip piercings, the slang term “angel fangs” is popular outside of the body modification and piercer community.

In terms of placement, you want to ensure the jewelry doesn’t sit so low that the fangs enter your mouth. This will cause gum erosion, which can lead to awful dental issues. So be sure your piercer isn’t placing the piercings too low on your mouth that you close your mouth onto the piercings.

What’s the Difference Between Angel Bites vs. Angel Fangs?

Angel bites are different from angel fangs. Like angel fangs, angel bites consist of two paired upper lip piercings. However, they differ because they do not go vertically through the upper lip like angel fangs. Angel bites consist of one Madonna piercing and one Monroe piercing instead.

Are They Anatomy Dependent?

Yes, like most lip piercings, angel fangs are anatomy-dependent, and these are more than most. To perform these piercings, your piercer needs an upper lip with substantial tissue to pierce through and a defined ridge to support the piercings. Generally, your piercer is looking for a protruding upper lip or a bit pouty.

That being said, having the proper anatomy to get this set of piercings is common. So, don’t worry too much about your lip anatomy.

Angel Fangs Piercing Jewelry

The only jewelry suitable for angel fangs is curved barbells in each, as they run perpendicular to the tissue. Straight barbells put too much pressure on the tissue and can sometimes cause irritation or migration. Hoops aren’t recommended; they can get caught or snagged, easily causing migration or irritation.

While it may disappoint that curved barbells are the only jewelry option, you can do many fun things with the ends. While the name of the piercing comes from the fact that they look like fangs with spikes as ends protruding from the bottom of the jewelry, you’re not stuck with fangs as an option. Many ends are available, ranging from tiny, delicate beads to larger, more decorative discs.

What Are the Risks of Angel Fangs?

Because we use our mouths to eat and talk, the constant movement of the upper lip tends to cause these piercings not to last long or heal very well. They’re also very prone to migration and rejection and can leave extremely noticeable scars when they do.

Due to the extreme risk of migration and rejection with angel fangs, it’s essential to know that they may not be placed exactly as you first imagined them. Your piercer must work with your anatomy first and think about aesthetics second. This means they may sit further in or out than you expect or sit differently.

While many people want their piercings to align with their canine teeth, that is where the upper lip naturally starts to thin, and there may not be enough of a ridge or tissue to place the piercings so far out successfully. Your piercer will most likely talk you into moving the placement inward a bit so you can have the best chance of them properly healing without issue.

Another way to reduce the risk of migration is to wait until the piercings are fully healed before wearing spiked ends. Even if they’re the whole reason you want the piercings, they’re much easier to get caught and snagged while you’re eating, washing your face, and getting dressed. It’s best to wait until they’re fully healed before switching the ends to achieve the complete “fang” look.

What Are the Benefits of Angel Fangs?

Because this pair of piercings doesn’t go inside your mouth, they are better for your oral health. Because the jewelry goes through the lip and rests against the upper lip, outside of the mouth, you don’t have to worry about it rubbing against your gums and teeth and causing erosion. 

How Long Do Angel Fangs Take to Heal?

On average, it takes angel fangs around six to eight months to heal fully. You’ll be given extra long jewelry to accommodate the swelling when you're first pierced. While the piercings may not swell initially, you’ll be glad your piercer fitted you with the longer barbells the next day.

Once the swelling has completely gone down, you must return to your piercer to downsize the jewelry. Leaving the longer barbells in too long can increase the risk of migration and rejection.

How Much Do They Hurt to Get Done?

Angel fangs aren’t the most painless to get done. This is because it’s two piercings in one sitting, and upper lip piercings are known to be “pinchy.” On a scale of one through ten, with ten being the worst, they’d come in at around a six or seven.

Angel Fangs Aftercare

Like any oral piercing, especially on the upper lip, there’s a two-part aftercare process. After you’re done eating, drinking, or smoking, you’ll want to rinse your mouth with an alcohol-free, antimicrobial mouthwash. Ensure your mouthwash has no whitening chemicals; these are too harsh for any healing piercing.

The second part is to clean the outside of the piercing with a saline spray between two to three times daily. You can purchase a pre-made solution like NeilMed’s Piercing Aftercare Spray and pat the area dry with a sterile tissue or paper towel.

To avoid introducing unwanted bacteria to the area while your piercings are healing, you’ll want to avoid the following:

• Touching or twisting the piercings, especially with unwashed hands
• Drinking through a straw
• Drinking alcohol
• Oral sex
• Kissing
• Entering any public bodies of water, including pools, hot tubs, spas, jacuzzis, etc.

Additionally, oral piercings, like angel fangs, that pass through the vermillion border of the lip can cause chapped lips during the healing process. Unfortunately, using any chapstick, oils, or balms is unsafe, as these will only irritate the healing piercing. Instead, your only course of action against the feeling of chapped lips is to stay as hydrated as possible. Licking the chapped lips also does nothing to help, and makes the chapping worse. 

Therefore, if you’re prone to chapped lips, it may be best to wait until summertime, when the air isn’t so dry and cold that you won't want to pick and lick your lips.

Overall, angel fangs are a fun new piercing that grew from combining other piercings. They’re a perfect way to get a goth, dark look if that’s what you’re going for, and they just look cool.