Facial Piercings

Looking Fine, Fresh, and Fierce: The Different Types of Facial Piercings, Explained

In recent history, body piercing has become a popular way to express oneself. The days of only getting your ear pierced are over; facial piercing in particular has become more popular.

Facial piercings have a long, interesting history that dates back centuries. They’re the perfect way to show off your personality and accentuate your fashion sense.

In this article, we’ll discover nine of the most popular types of facial piercings. We’ll also discuss how to prepare for a piercing and best practices for finding a piercing professional.

Popular Types of Facial Piercings

Nose piercing is the most common type of facial piercing. But it is by no means the only part of the face and head that people pierce. Here are 9 of the most popular types of facial piercings.

Labret Piercing

Nose Piercing

You can thank hippie culture for the popularity of nose piercing. In the 1960s, this type of facial piercing became more prominent and popular. Nose piercings are popular for their simplicity and jewelry versatility.

Noses are usually adorned with either a stud or a small hoop. Popular studs for nose piercings include sterling silver balls and gemstones. Hoops can be simple or ornate. Nose piercings are also popular for their relative painlessness and healing time.

Nose piercings take about two to three months to heal.

Septum Piercing

The septum is a layer of cartilage that separates the nostrils. Septum piercing jewelry can range from simple hoops to elaborate half-circles. People also pierce their septums with barbells.

A septum piercing is a fun, surprising twist on a traditional nostril piercing. It’s not a painless piercing, with most people reporting watering eyes or sneezing during the process.

Septum piercings take a little longer to heal than nostril piercings, between four to six months.

Eyebrow Piercing

An eyebrow piercing sits somewhere along the eyebrow. People can choose to pierce vertically or horizontally. Eyebrow piercing jewelry is typically a barbell, though some people choose one or more hoops.

An eyebrow piercing is trickier than other facial piercings. Because it’s a surface piercing, it is more subject to body rejection or migration. It’s important to properly care for an eyebrow piercing and choose the right type of jewelry to try and prevent this from happening.

An eyebrow piercing is one of the least painful piercings and takes about three months to heal.

Monroe Piercing

Monroe piercing is a single stud placed above the left side of the lip. (A Madonna piercing is the same piercing but on the right side.) The Monroe piercing gets its name from actress Marilyn Monroe, who famously had a beauty mark above her lip.

People report that the Monroe piercing is one of the least painful. They also have a shorter healing time. A Monroe piercing takes between six and eight weeks to heal.

Tongue Piercing

Tongue piercing rose to popularity in the 1980s. This piercing is commonly seen in the form of a midline piercing: a barbell pierced vertically through the tongue. Some people also get horizontal barbell tongue piercings.

A tongue piercing is a good option for people looking for a slightly subtle facial piercing. Barbells come with either metal or plastic balls. People with tongue piercings have to be careful not to bite down on the balls so they don’t chip their teeth.

The healing time for a tongue piercing is between four to six weeks.

Lip Piercing

Lip piercings are popular for their versatility. People can pierce either the top or bottom lip. Lip piercing positioning varies from center to either side. Lips are usually pierced with hoop jewelry.

Because of the frequency of eating, talking, and drinking, lip piercings take longer to heal. The typical healing time for a lip piercing is between three to six months.

Labret Piercing

There are two types of labret piercings: the traditional labret, and the vertical labret. A traditional labret piercing is a single stud pierced right below the bottom lip. A vertical labret is pierced from the outside of the mouth to the inside below the bottom lip.

Labret piercings are a great choice for those wanting to make a bold statement. Labret jewelry ranges from simple silver and gold to bold pops of color.

People report this as one of the least painful piercings. Healing time for labret piercings is between six to eight weeks.

Medusa Piercing

The location of the Medusa piercing in the indentation above your upper lip. (Also known as the Philtrum.) Medusa piercings are very delicate and are popular with women.

On a pain scale, Medusa piercings are similar to septum piercings. People report watery eyes and sneezing. Medusa piercings take about three months to heal.

Snake Bite Piercing

A snake bite piercing is perfect for people wanting to make a statement. Snake bite piercings sit on either side of the bottom lip. It’s called a snake bite because of the piercing’s resemblance to snake fangs.

The reported pain associated with snake bite piercings is minimal. Snake bites take between four to six weeks to heal.

Considerations for Facial Piercing

Facial piercings are a great way to express yourself, but there are things to consider before getting one.

While facial piercings are more acceptable nowadays, some employers still forbid them. Before getting a piercing, make sure it’s allowed at your workplace.

If you have small children, consider waiting to get a facial piercing until they’re older. You can also choose a smaller piercing that isn’t easily snagged or grabbed. This facial piercing size chart from bodypiercejewelry.com can help you decide the right jewelry size for your piercing.

Caring for a Facial Piercing

Caring for a facial piercing is not complicated, but it is time-consuming. The healing time for a facial piercing ranges anywhere between four weeks and six months. It’s important that you can commit to the proper care and cleaning of your piercing.

Cleaning a facial piercing typically requires warm salt water or a saline solution. Always make sure to wash your hands with warm water and soap before caring for your piercing.

Final Thoughts on Facial Piercing

Facial piercings are a fantastic way to express yourself. No matter what type of piercing you choose, you’re sure to make a statement.

For more advice on fashion and jewelry trends, visit the “Fashion Beauty” section of our website.