Vertical Labret Scar Photos: What Your Lips Look Like After Removal
By James H. Sterling
Examining chronological photo sets across a 365-day retirement arc highlights how puncture marks change. The first seventy-two hours produce rapid contraction. Epithelial cells migrate to seal the open ends of the fistula, cutting off the canal from exterior debris.
Close-up macro photography shows the primary obstacle: the transition zone along the vermilion border. When piercers place the curved barbell off-center or angle it incorrectly, the channel pulls slightly against the lip margin. Over several years of wear, this dynamic tension can leave a subtle structural notch. In well-placed piercings, the vermilion border heals cleanly, displaying little to no boundary disruption once the jewelry exits permanently.
| Recovery Phase | Physical Appearance (Photo Baseline) | Tissue Dynamics & Texture |
|---|---|---|
| Days 1, 7 | Open dark pinpricks; mild redness; occasional lymphatic crusting. | Fistula collapse; initial surface re-epithelialization across entry margins. |
| Weeks 2, 6 | Erythema (pink/purple tint); small concave dimple under the lip. | Immature collagen deposition; palpable internal knot or dense tissue core. |
| Months 3, 6 | Vermilion mark blurs into natural ridges; lower dot lightens significantly. | Collagen remodeling begins; vascular redness recedes to near-skin tone. |
| Months 12+ | Pinhole depression under bottom lip; vermilion puncture mostly undetectable. | Mature fibrous scar tissue; permanent cellular resting state. |
The photographic contrast between an old vertical labret and an Ashley piercing explains why clients pick one over the other. The Ashley puncture goes straight through the center of the lip into the oral cavity. When retired, its scar sits dead-center on the red lip tissue, occasionally creating a tucked-in puckered look. A vertical labret isolates its primary indentation on the underside of the lip where natural facial shadows conceal it.
James Sterling reports on renewable energy developments, climate policy, ecological conservation, and green tech innovations around the globe.
