Face and lip piercings

Face piercings cover three quite different categories, and the differences matter more than the names.

Three kinds of face piercing

Through a lip. A labret, medusa, monroe or vertical labret passes through the lip or the tissue around it, entering outside and exiting inside the mouth. These heal in two to three months and their main long-term risk is dental: jewelry resting against teeth and gums.

Surface piercings. An eyebrow, anti-eyebrow or bridge piercing passes through a pinch of skin, entering and exiting on the same plane. The body can gradually push these out over months or years, which is migration, and eventually rejection. Correct depth, a curved barbell and avoiding snags keep the odds low.

Single-point piercings. A dermal anchor sits under the skin with only one end showing. These are never permanent.

Knowing which category a piercing falls into tells you what to expect from it.

The dental question

Any piercing where metal sits against teeth or gums carries a real risk of chipped enamel and gum recession over years. This is the most under-discussed downside of lip piercings.

Reduce it by:

• Having jewelry fitted so the disc sits flat against the lip, not pressed into the gum line.
• Downsizing on schedule, since a long post moves and knocks against teeth.
• Choosing flat, smooth discs rather than large decorative backs.
• Having a piercer check the fit annually.
• Mentioning the piercing to your dentist so they can watch the area.

Swelling and the first week

Lip and other oral-adjacent piercings swell more than most, and the initial jewelry is sized long to allow for it. Expect three to five days of noticeable swelling, and manage it with cold water and by avoiding spicy, acidic and very hot food.

Downsizing after the swelling drops is not optional here. A long post in a healed lip piercing is exactly what damages teeth.

Aftercare

Face piercings that exit inside the mouth need both routines:

• Outside: sterile saline twice a day.
• Inside: alcohol-free mouthwash or saline rinse after every meal, every drink other than water, and after smoking.

Keep makeup, cleanser and skincare off the outside. Full detail in the aftercare guide.

The rules

1. Implant-grade titanium, threadless or internally threaded. See materials.
2. Downsize on schedule, especially on lip piercings.
3. Curved barbells for eyebrow piercings, not rings, while healing.
4. No makeup on a healing piercing.
5. Watch for migration on any surface piercing: shortening distance between the ends, thinning skin, renewed tenderness.
6. Tell your dentist about any oral or lip piercing.