| Piercing has become part of our mainstream | | | | important to remember that teeth and gum |
| culture, so it is no surprise that many people are | | | | damage can definitely happen over time with |
| considering body piercings. Facial piercings | | | | these piercings. |
| specifically lip and cheek piercings are enjoying a | | | | The Lip plate is very rare in America, but |
| soaring popularity surge. There are several | | | | common in parts of Africa and the Amazon. This |
| different types of lip and cheek piercings, including | | | | look has a devoted following in many body |
| the Medusa, the Monroe, the Lip Frenulum, Lip | | | | modification circles, and the practice is indeed |
| plate, and Labret. Before getting adorned in any | | | | very ancient - but not for everyone. Lip plates |
| of these locations though, it will behoove you to | | | | consist of piercing the lower lip and over time |
| read on and learn more about the risks associated | | | | stretching (properly referred to as "gauging") the |
| with each piercing. | | | | hole to accommodate lip plugs. Lip plugs are |
| The Medusa is still a relatively uncommon piercing, | | | | circular discs usually made of light wood or clay. |
| but many piercing parlors have noticed that more | | | | Once you have committed to the Lip plate, your |
| and more people are asking for this piercing. | | | | lip will be stretched to a point where only surgical |
| Located directly under the septum of the nose, in | | | | operations can eliminate the gaping hole in your lip. |
| the center above the top tip, a Medusa piercing is | | | | This is not a piercing to be cavalier about - only |
| eye catching indeed. Very similar to a labret | | | | do this if you have done all the research you |
| piercing, the ball rests in the dip on the top lip. | | | | possibly can, and are willing to stick with it for the |
| There will be swelling after the piercing, and for | | | | long haul. While most piercings heal with no visible |
| some people the pain is minimal, while for others | | | | effects, this particular piercing will not. For all |
| the pain is intense. There are a lot of nerve | | | | intents and purposes, this is a permanent piercing. |
| endings located around the lips, and while most | | | | The labret is the most common sort of lip |
| skilled professional piercers will not hit a nerve, | | | | piercing. Many people have multiple labret piercings! |
| there is always that slight risk that must be | | | | It can accommodate rings or studs, and takes |
| considered before committing to the piercing. | | | | about 6-8 weeks to heal. Most people after the |
| The Monroe also goes by two other names: The | | | | allotted healing time get a special piece of jewelry |
| Madonna and The Crawford. Named after the | | | | that has a labret backing, to help prevent tooth |
| three iconic women with famous moles near their | | | | and gum aggravation. There are many types of |
| mouth (Marilyn Monroe had a mole on the left | | | | "bites" - informal terms to describe various |
| side, Madonna has one of the right, and Cindy | | | | piercing placements (ex: Snakebites = two labret |
| Crawford has a mole very close to the upper lip) | | | | piercings on opposite sides of the lower lips); |
| the piercing location you choose will determine the | | | | there is great potential for uniqueness and |
| exact name of your piercing (left cheek = | | | | individuality. Horizontal lip piercings are extremely |
| Monroe; right cheek = Madonna). These piercings | | | | rare, and most piercers will not perform this type |
| heal rather quickly, but for a couple days to a | | | | of piercing. |
| week after the piercing there may be significant | | | | As with other oral piercings, infection can happen |
| swelling. After 8-12 weeks, you can replace the | | | | with lip and cheek piercings. There is a lot of |
| jewelry (which will be too big...the initial jewelry | | | | bacteria located in and around the mouth, so |
| must accommodate swelling, so as the swelling | | | | careful cleaning will help prevent infection. As |
| goes down, the jewelry will be too large) with | | | | always, only get pierced in professional setting and |
| something a bit more snug. This piercing is very | | | | with completely sterilized tools to minimize your |
| popular, and looks very beautiful if proper | | | | chance of serious health consequences. Eating |
| aftercare is strictly followed. | | | | spicy foods, consuming alcohol, and smoking |
| The Lip Frenulum is another rare piercing, and not | | | | should not happen during the first 6-8 weeks of |
| everyone has the correct anatomy to have this | | | | your new piercing - all of these will hinder your |
| procedure done. An upper lip frenulum piercing is | | | | bodies healing efforts. Your piercer will give you a |
| often called a "smiley" because when the wearer | | | | complete rundown of what to expect during |
| smiles, the captive bead can be seen; a lower lip | | | | healing, how to cope with problems that may |
| frenulum piercing is called a "frowny" for the | | | | arise, and the best aftercare habits. Assuming you |
| same reason. These piercings are simple | | | | have a decent amount of common sense, your |
| procedures for a professional piercer, but it is | | | | new lip and cheek piercing will be healed in no time! |