What Is a Philtrum Piercing (Medusa Piercing)?
If you don’t mind a ‘more is more’ approach to styling yourself, then a Philtrum piercing is for you. A Philtrum piercing, which is also referred to as a Medusa piercing, is essentially done on the upper lip. This specific upper lip piercing is located right above the cupid’s bow, in the vertical groove known as the philtrum. It is different from a Monroe piercing, which is located off-center on the part of your upper lip. Generally, a labret stud is used for this piercing which stays there on the lip as an adornment after the procedure has been done.
Irrespective of whether you are familiar with the world of piercing or are just rolling up your sleeves for your first piercing encounter, a philtrum piercing can invariably be your coolest piercing adventure. After all, this is one of the newest body piercing trends, making the youth go crazy.
This piercing style looks so appealing that it has easily become one of the most requested facial piercings out there. Trust us, this is just perfect for you if you want to express yourself in a unique way that oozes out oodles of style.
Every time a particular piercing style trends, we sit wondering what exactly it is that makes it such a rage. Well, concerning a Medusa piercing, it is definitely its versatility. No matter what kind of jewelry you pin onto the piercing, it will kick your style game up a notch. Yes, we understand you are already excited to just go and get it done. But before you say ‘yes’ to it, it’s important to learn what the pros and cons of a philtrum piercing are. For that, read on here.
Pros And Cons Of a Philtrum Piercing
Pros-
- A philtrum piercing helps you highlight your facial features. Hence, if you have got beautiful lips, you can get this piercing done to attract people’s attention towards them.
- This type of piercing features a great deal of symmetry. It simply infuses that much-needed essence of balance into your facial elements, especially with a new piercing. Interestingly, you don’t get this balance with a piercing done on the side of your lips.
- It is easily visible, unlike tongue piercings, making it a popular choice for those who prefer noticeable body jewelry. So, if you’re someone who loves flaunting your body piercings, then right away contact your favorite body art salon for a medusa lip piercing.
- When done singly on the face, it can help you pull off a feminine look, especially with the right body jewelry. And with a couple of other face piercings, it can offer you a rugged, gypsy look.
Cons-
- The area of the face where this piercing is located has a lot of nerve endings. And that is why this piercing hurts more than other routine piercings.
- The superior labial artery runs a little above the upper lip. So, a piercing done recklessly could injure this artery, which a professional piercer would avoid.
- The metal jewelry that you wear comes with a back disc, which might constantly rub against your teeth and gums, causing discomfort and potential gum recession. However, this risk can be minimized by using flat back plastic or implant-grade titanium labret studs.
- You need to be extra careful while putting on tight neck t-shirts and other similar clothing items to avoid having the jewelry catch and irritate your piercing.
The Medusa Piercing Process: Everything You Need to Know
First of all, you need to look for a reputable piercing parlor for reliable service, preferably one that specializes in body piercings. Make sure the piercing expert who handles you is also a highly skilled and experienced professional piercer. For that, you might need a reference. So, don’t hesitate to talk to people who have already got a philtrum piercing done. Ask them for recommendations. Alternatively, you can read reviews of piercing shops online to zero in on the right service provider.
Once this is done, you need to make an appointment and show up at the shortlisted clinic on the date scheduled. Here you meet your piercer, whom you must tell about your doubts and apprehensions. They will attend to you patiently and then proceed. Note that a good piercer maintains high levels of hygiene and undertakes the procedure with clean gloves on. First, they clean the area right above your lips with an antiseptic wipe. They might also ask you to rinse your mouth with an antiseptic oral solution to ensure the safety of your oral piercing.
After that, they mark the exact point where you want your piercing done. While they do so, they make sure you are satisfied with the marking. Now, they hold the upper lip with a clamp and using a thin, hollow, single-use needle, pierce the marked area carefully. A piercing gun should never be used for this or any oral piercing, as it can cause significant tissue damage and increase the risk of infection. The piercing is generally followed by pinning a piece of medusa piercing jewelry on to the pierced skin. The first barbell used is generally longer than the routine ones so that it doesn’t make swellings more painful or uncomfortable. Once the barbell has been tucked onto the skin, the procedure can be considered complete.
Choosing Your Medusa Piercing Jewelry
For your new piercing, the piercer will use starter jewelry, which is typically a longer labret stud to accommodate the initial swelling. The best jewelry material is implant-grade titanium or 14k gold, as these are biocompatible and reduce the risk of infection. It’s crucial to wait until the piercing has fully healed before changing the jewelry to a shorter post to prevent irritation to your teeth and gums. Low-quality jewelry may irritate your piercing and delay the healing process. Always choose a flat back lip stud for long-term wear to minimize contact with your gums and teeth. Make sure that the jewelry fits well, as a piece of jewelry that is too tight or too loose can result in damage to the piercing hole.
How Much Does a Philtrum Piercing Cost?
The prices vary greatly based on a multitude of factors, including the studio’s reputation and location. Still, if you want an average range, it is between $40 and $80. Philtrum piercings are not easy to do. The exact location where this piercing is located has a lot of nerve endings surrounding it. And that is why such piercings are risky and highly likely to get bacterial infections. It is for this reason that you should not compromise on the quality of your piercer, even if that means shelling out a little extra cash.
How Much Does a Philtrum Piercing Hurt?
Well, different people experience this pain differently based on their pain threshold. Since this piercing is located on the top lip, an area with many nerve endings, it is generally considered to have a moderate pain level. However, people with thick lips are likely to get hurt more. Also, if you are a man, a philtrum piercing would be a more painful experience for you as compared to a woman. Wondering why? Because repeated shaving makes the facial muscles tougher and harder to pierce through.
Even brass and woodwind instrument players are likely to go through a more uncomfortable piercing procedure. This is because the sphincter muscles around the mouth receive constant exercise when they play such instruments. As a result, these muscles become hard to poke holes through. So, when pierced, they hurt more than usual.
But then if none of the above applies to you, you are going to feel only a little pain, as the procedure involves a single puncture that takes just a couple of seconds.
Medusa Piercing Healing Stages and Aftercare Tips
The average time required for the total healing of a philtrum piercing wound is around 6 to 12 weeks for the initial healing. However, to get the jewelry downsized, you might have to wait for at least six months. Why six months? Because that is the amount of time internal tissues need for complete healing. The healing stages typically involve initial swelling and tenderness for the first week, followed by a period where the piercing may feel healed on the outside but is still sensitive internally. Now let’s talk about a few tips on how to heal faster and better-
- Don’t touch your piercing with dirty hands; always wash them with soap before touching the pierced area.
- There might be crusting around the piercing. To remove it, just soak a cotton ball in warm saline solution and wipe the crust with it.
- Cleaning solutions should be applied only upon being instructed by your piercing expert to do so.
- Don’t eat or drink carelessly, if you want to avoid hurting the pierced area. Stick to soft foods initially.
- Don’t apply any makeup on or around the cupid’s bow.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol while your wound is healing, as they can irritate the piercing site and delay the healing process.
Philtrum Piercing Aftercare Instructions
- After every meal, practice rinsing your mouth with a sea salt or saline solution for about 30 to 60 seconds to prevent any irritation from the new body jewelry. Good oral hygiene is essential. And this should continue throughout the healing period. But then don’t repeat it for more than 4 times a day.
- It’s alright to have a lot of swelling after the piercing has been done. To keep it at a minimum, you can sip on ice-cold water, especially during the first 48 hours of the piercing. Note that it’s also normal to have a little bit of bruising, tenderness, or bleeding around the pierced area. Thankfully, these symptoms only last for a week or two.
- If you are worried about your swollen lip, then you can use an anti-inflammatory product to reduce not just the swelling but also any kind of associated discomfort.
- Practice sleeping with your head kept at an elevated position. This will keep the swelling from aggravating after the swelling has gone down.
- After the inflammation has subsided, follow up with your piercer to go for shorter style jewelry so that no irritation is caused to your gums and teeth.
Philtrum Piercing Risks and Complications
- The most common risk associated with a philtrum piercing is an infection. If you want to avoid a bad one, then maintain standard oral hygiene and follow aftercare instructions throughout the healing process.
- Inflammation is a nagging problem that people with a philtrum piercing unfailingly experience. Swelling, redness, tenderness, and pain are some of the symptoms that point at a bad inflammation.
- Receding gums too could result from a philtrum piercing. This again results from friction that takes place between the jewelry and the gums.
- This piercing might also leave a scar that appears outright unsightly, especially if the piercing is rejected by your body or improperly cared for.
- Teeth erosion is another risk. This happens because the back of the piercing jewelry is constantly in touch with the teeth. To reduce this risk, use a piece of non-metallic jewelry or visit the dentist’s clinic frequently.
More Philtrum Piercing Images
Conclusion
Your overall experience with your philtrum piercing will depend on how well your wound heals during the healing period. And that is why it is important to be extra careful as the healing takes place; a poorly placed piercing can take longer to heal properly. For proper healing, your body must get a lot of rest. Keep your stress levels at a minimum and take a nutritious diet. Following all aftercare instructions from your professional piercer is the most important step.
And don’t forget your dose of multivitamins. This is to make sure any deficiency in essential vitamins and minerals in the body can be timely supplemented with. But for faster healing, your multivitamin needs to have good doses of zinc and calcium—two minerals that efficiently aid healing, especially when the piercing is placed correctly.
Remember, your body is unique! So, it will take its own time to heal. Just don’t make haste. And with proper care and patience, you will have a lifetime of pleasure from your piercing.
FAQs
Q: What are the main signs of infection I should look for?
A: Common signs of infection for a new piercing include excessive redness or swelling that doesn’t subside, persistent pain, thick yellow or green discharge, and the area feeling hot to the touch. If you notice any of these, it’s crucial to contact your professional piercer or a doctor. Proper piercing aftercare is the best way to reduce the risk of infection.
Q: My medusa piercing jewelry is rubbing my gums. What should I do?
A: If your jewelry can rub against your gums or teeth, it’s a sign that the post on your labret stud may be too long. This is common with starter jewelry used to accommodate initial swelling. Once the swelling has gone down (usually after a few weeks), visit your piercer to have them switch it to a shorter, flat back post. This can help prevent long-term gum recession and tooth damage.
Q: How long does the swelling last after getting a philtrum piercing?
A: A lot of swelling is normal for the first 3 to 5 days after getting a medusa piercing. It should gradually decrease over the next couple of weeks. Sipping on ice water and avoiding salty foods can help manage it. The full healing time can be several months, but the most significant swelling occurs during the initial healing period.
Q: Can I get a double medusa piercing?
A: Yes, a double medusa piercing, which consists of two piercings placed vertically in the philtrum, is possible. However, this depends on your anatomy. You need to have enough space in that part of your upper lip for two piercings to sit comfortably without crowding. Always consult with an experienced piercer to see if your lip area is suitable.
Q: What is the best way to clean the inside of my oral piercing?
A: To keep the inside of your mouth clean, you should use an alcohol-free antiseptic or antimicrobial mouthwash after you eat. Gently rinse for 30-60 seconds. It’s also important to brush your teeth after every meal to remove food particles that could irritate the piercing site. Good oral hygiene is a critical part of the medusa piercing aftercare.
