Smiley Piercing

Smiley piercing is still a relatively rare piercing, but there are more and more people who opt for it. It’s becoming more popular and many people seem to be intrigued by it.

Also, there are more and more piercers who offer this procedure, so if you want to get a smiley piercing, chances are that you won’t have any problems finding an experienced piercer who can do it.

What is a Smiley Piercing?

A smiley piercing is performed on the thin piece of skin in the middle of the inside upper lip (frenulum). The frenulum of the upper lip is a thin piece of skin that stretches from the lip to the upper gum. It adds support to the upper lip and keeps it securely attached to the gum. This piercing is therefore placed on the inside of the upper lip so the jewelry rests on top of the front teeth.

The Smiley Piercing got its name because you can only see it when a person smiles. It’s also what makes it so special. This types of “hidden” piercings are always exciting because they can be viewed only in certain circumstances. People who opt for a smiley piercing usually claim that they love the idea of a piercing that can be seen only when they smile.

The procedure is done quickly and the healing time is relatively short, so you should not have much problem getting a smiley piercing. You can expect your smiley piercing to be fully healed in about 4 weeks. If you are a smoker, the healing might take a bit longer.

As usual, it’s very important to keep a proper hygiene and to follow the aftercare instructions. This will ensure proper healing and prevent infections.

Jewelry

It’s important to keep in mind how delicate the pierced tissue is. Smiley piercing is performed on a very thin piece of skin, so jewelry can’t be heavy or it will damage the tissue. It’s best to use only very small gauge for this type of piercing. Typically, only 18 or 16 gauge should be used for smiley piercing.

The best jewelry for this piercing are small gauge Captive Bead Rings. They are small and light enough so the delicate tissue can handle it. Another jewelry choice is a small gauge barbell. Stay away from heavy or richly ornamented jewelry.

Additional Information

It’s important to understand that smiley piercing is a type of frenulum piercing. A frenulum is a very thin connective tissue and it can be found in many parts of your body. In this case, it’s a tissue connecting your upper lip to the gums. What is crucial to remember is that this tissue tends to be very sensitive. It makes frenulum piercings somewhat painful. The good news is that the tissue that needs to be pierced is very thin, so the procedure doesn’t last long. It’s over quickly so you don’t have to go through pain for long. Luckily, the healing is quick and aftercare is relatively easy to perform.

Keep in mind that not everybody can get a smiley piercing. It all depends on your upper lip frenulum. If it’s too small, it can’t be pierced. This is why you should consult your piercer to see if it’s possible to get a smiley piercing.

Smiley piercings are somewhat prone to rejection and migration, so it’s something to keep in mind. The pierced tissue is very thin so there’s not a lot of flesh to keep the jewelry in place. Also, migration and rejection is emphasized by the lip movements. It can put a lot of stress on the piercing.

Another thing to keep in mind is that jewelry used for smiley piercing can sometimes cause damage to teeth and gums. This is why you should observe your piercing and notice any irritation, scratches, shifting of the teeth and other problems.