Piercing has become part of our mainstream culture, so it’s no surprise that many people are considering getting their body pierced. Facial piercings, specifically lip and cheek piercings, are enjoying a skyrocketing popularity. There are several different types of lip and cheek piercings, including the Medusa, Monroe, Lip Frenulum, Lip plate, and Labret. However, before you adorn yourself in any of these places, it behooves you to read on and learn more about the risks associated with each piercing.
The jellyfish is still a relatively uncommon piercing, but many piercing salons have noticed that more and more people are ordering this piercing. Located directly below the bridge of the nose, in the center above the upper tip, a Medusa piercing is truly an eye-catcher. Much like a labret piercing, the ball remains in the upper lip. There will be swelling after the piercing, and for some people the pain is minimal, while for others the pain is severe. There are a large number of nerve endings located around the labia, and while most expert professional piercers will not touch a nerve, there is always a small risk that needs to be considered before committing to the piercing.
The Monroe also has two other names: The Madonna and The Crawford. The name of the three iconic women with famous moles near their mouths (Marilyn Monroe had a mole on the left side, Madonna has one on the right, and Cindy Crawford has a mole very close to her upper lip) the piercing location you choose will determine the exact name of your piercing (left cheek = Monroe; right cheek = Madonna). These piercings heal fairly quickly, but for a couple of days to a week after the piercing there may be significant swelling. After 8-12 weeks you can replace the jewelry (which will be too big…initial jewelry should accommodate the swelling, so as the swelling subsides the jewelry will be too big) with something a little tighter . This piercing is very popular and looks very beautiful if proper aftercare is strictly followed.
The Lip Frenulum is another rare piercing, and not everyone has the correct anatomy to perform this procedure. An upper lip frenulum piercing is often referred to as a “smile” because when the wearer smiles, the captive bead can be seen; a lower lip frenulum piercing is called a “frown” for the same reason. These piercings are simple procedures for a professional piercer, but it is important to remember that teeth and gums can definitely be damaged over time with these piercings.
Labial plaque is very rare in the Americas, but common in parts of Africa and the Amazon. This look has a strong following in many body modification circles, and the practice is very old, but not for everyone. Labial plates consist of piercing the lower lip and, over time, stretching (properly referred to as “gauge”) the hole to accommodate the lip plugs. Lip plugs are circular discs usually made of light wood or clay. Once you have engaged with the lip plate, your lip will be stretched to a point where only surgical operations can remove the gaping hole in your lip. This is not a piercing to be arrogant about, only do it if you’ve done as much research as possible and are willing to stick with it for the long haul. While most piercings heal with no visible effects, this particular piercing will not. For all intents and purposes, this is a permanent piercing.
The labret is the most common type of lip piercing. Many people have multiple labret piercings! It can accommodate rings or studs, and takes 6-8 weeks to heal. Most people after the allotted healing time get a special piece of jewelry that has a labret on the back, to help prevent aggravation of the teeth and gums. There are many types of “bites”: informal terms to describe various piercing locations (eg, snakebites = two labret piercings on opposite sides of the lower lip); there is great potential for uniqueness and individuality. Horizontal lip piercings are extremely rare and most piercers will not perform this type of piercing.
As with other oral piercings, infection can occur with lip and cheek piercings. There is a large number of bacteria located in and around the mouth, so careful cleaning will help prevent infection. As always, only get your piercing done in a professional setting and with completely sterilized tools to minimize the chance of serious health consequences. Eating spicy foods, consuming alcohol, and smoking should not occur during the first 6 to 8 weeks of your new piercing; all of these will hamper your body’s healing efforts. Your piercer will give you a comprehensive rundown of what to expect during healing, how to deal with any issues that may arise, and the best aftercare habits. Assuming you have a decent amount of common sense, your new lip and cheek piercing will be healed in no time!
