The Ashley Piercing Scar You Should Know About Before Committing

Getting any kind of body piercing involves various levels of pain and the Ashley piercing pain is no exception. This unique lip piercing is placed through the center of the lower lip, exiting at the back of the mouth. It tends to hurt more than other lip piercings due to its placement through thicker lip tissue. So if you can’t tolerate substantial pain, the Ashley may not be the right choice for you. 

Beyond the initial piercing agony, you may be wondering – does an Ashley piercing leave a visible scar after healing? While every body responds differently, an Ashley piercing typically does not result in noticeable scarring if properly cared for during the healing process. The key is allowing adequate time for the puncture wounds to close, keeping the area clean, and avoiding infection.

Read on to learn everything you need to know about potential scarring with an Ashley piercing, including tips on jewelry, aftercare, and what to expect.

Picking The Right Piercer & Jewelry

Just like any piercing, proper technique and high-quality jewelry plays a major role in the Ashley piercing’s final appearance post-healing. Begin the process by vetting your piercer thoroughly and asking the below questions:

– How long have you been a professional piercer? (Look for 5+ years of experience.)

– Do you hold any certifications or licenses for body piercing?

– What tools and jewelry do you use? High-quality stainless steel, titanium, or solid 14+ karats gold is best. 

– Do you follow autoclave sterilization practices?

– What aftercare do you recommend for cleaning and healing?

An experienced, licensed piercer using sterile hollow piercing needles, measured markings, and properly sanitized quality jewelry minimizes trauma to the tissue. This reduces risks like bleeding, infection, rejection, and of course, scarring. 

Caring For An Ashley Piercing

Once your jewelry is in place, the hard part begins – patient and meticulous aftercare while your Ashley piercing heals. This usually takes between 8-12 weeks. Follow these tips to avoid complications:

Cleaning Solutions

– Use a sterile saline spray or non-iodized sea salt mixture twice daily. 

– Don’t use alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, ointment, or hand/dish soap.

Handling

– Gently pat dry after cleaning, don’t rub. Rotation should not occur before 6 weeks.

– Avoid playing with the jewelry and limit movement or pressure.

Lifestyle Factors 

– Rinse mouth after eating and brush teeth twice daily.

– Quit smoking and avoid alcohol during the initial healing phase.

– Wear a medical mask in dirty environments.

If significant redness, swelling, pus, increased pain or heat occurs after the first 3-5 days, contact your piercer as infection may be developing requiring antibiotic treatment.

Signs of Rejection

Besides infection, jewelry rejection poses another threat for potential scarring. Rejection occurs when the body sees the foreign piercing as an invader and slowly pushes it out. Evidence of rejection includes:

– Redness, swelling and tenderness increasing over time, rather than decreasing.

– Thin or raw skin developing around the piercing site.

– Jewelry migration toward the surface or sinking deeper into the tissue.

– Puss, discharge or a foul odor.

See your piercer immediately if you notice any of the above symptoms so the piercing can be removed before permanent damage or scarring results.

The Healing Stages & What To Expect

Healing an Ashley piercing happens gradually through 3 main phases:

Stage 1: Initial Inflammation (Weeks 1-4)

Swelling, soreness, light bleeding and tenderness are all normal during the first month after initial piercing while the trauma to the tissue repairs. Small amounts of discharge containing plasma, white blood cells and cell debris may form temporary crusties around the jewelry holes. 

Applying ice can ease pain and swelling during this initial inflammatory stage. Ibuprofen, acetaminophen or topical numbing gel reduces discomfort also. Stay diligent with aftercare cleansing.

Stage 2: Cell Regeneration (Weeks 4-8) 

Inflammation and discharge will subside during this phase as new tissue forms around the piercing. The pierced holes establish a fistula, or tunnel, reinforced by scar tissue. Soreness dissipates, swelling deflates and you can gradually place more pressure on the area with less discomfort.  

Downsize your starter jewelry during this time once swelling resolves so the piercing holes can close tighter around the thinner gauge. But delay full jewelry changes until stage 3.

Stage 3: Maturation (Weeks 8-12+) 

In the final phase, the pierced hole tunnels fully mature and close up behind the jewelry. By week 8-12, the area should be mostly healed with no swelling, weepage or crusties. Pressure and touch elicit little to no sensitivity.

Now jewelry can be safely changed out without irritation, as long as high-quality metals are used and hands are cleaned before handling. The holes remain permanent even if left empty for extended periods.

Does An Ashley Piercing Scar?

While everyone heals differently based on health, age and genetics, an Ashley piercing typically does not cause noticeable or raised scarring when properly cared for during the healing process. Any scars that do form are usually small punctures found on the inside rim of tissue where the initial piercing occurred. 

These tiny marks blend with the surrounding moisture pink tissue color inside the mouth, obscured from outside view by the jewelry disk backing. So visible external scarring or indents around the Ashley stud are rare if not aggravated by playing with the piercing before it fully closes.

However, in cases of infection, rejection or trauma, more prominent internal and external scarring can result. That’s why closely following your piercer’s aftercare instructions is vital.

Risk Factors For Scarring

These circumstances make problematic scarring more likely with an Ashley piercing:

– An unlicensed piercer using unsanitized equipment 

– Low-grade jewelry that irritates or infects the piercing holes

– Not keeping the area clean daily while healing

– Excessive movement, pressure or changing jewelry too early

– Picking at crusties, discharge or scabs 

– An underlying health condition like diabetes or autoimmune disorder

– Genetic predisposition to raised scar tissue (keloids)

If you follow best practices for reputable piercing shops, use high-quality jewelry, keep hands and environment clean, and avoid messing with the piercing, scarring should not occur with an Ashley piercing. Listen to your body during healing periods of discomfort or sensitivity flare-ups and see your piercer at the first sign of complication.

Caring For An Ashley Piercing Years Later

Even once healed, an Ashley piercing requires consistent care and maintenance to remain comfortably in place indefinitely without scarring resurfacing. Follow these long-term tips:

Cleaning

– Rinse jewelry piece twice daily with an antimicrobial soap, saline solution or mouthwash.  Gently brush the area to avoid plaque buildup.

Jewelry 

– Avoid jewelry containing nickel. Stick to implant-grade stainless steel, titanium, solid 14k+ gold, etc.

– Check disk backings regularly ensuring they are smooth, lack sharp edges and remain securely in place.  

Lifestyle Precautions

– Wear a medical face mask in dirty environments to avoid trauma or germ exposure. 

– When eating, be mindful of temperature. Extreme cold or heat can damage healed piercing tissue.

– See your dentist biannually to monitor tooth and gum health nearby piercing.

By taking prudent aftercare and handling precautions before, during and following healing, an Ashley piercing typically heals free of aesthetically unpleasant or painful scar tissue. But only you can gauge your individual pain tolerance, healing capabilities and willingness to uphold cleaning commitments before getting pierced. Weigh benefits against risks carefully beforehand.