Types of lip piercing
Lip piercings are among the most varied in positioning, each with a distinct aesthetic and history. At Funky Tattoo in Piața Romană, Bucharest, we perform all main variants, but always recommend a pre-piercing consultation because not all fit every client's anatomy — for example, cheek piercing requires careful evaluation of the salivary glands and blood vessels.
The labret is the classic variant, placed centrally below the lower lip, about 8-10 mm below the red edge of the lip. It's the entry-level piercing of the lip category — low pain (2/5), healing in 8-16 weeks, and allows both a flat-back stud and a captive ring. The vertical variant (Vertical Labret) traverses the lower lip from bottom to top, exiting through the red edge — rarer and more demanding, but with a distinctive visual effect.
The Medusa (or Philtrum) is placed centrally above the upper lip, in the subnasal groove. Positionally it's the upper mirror of the labret and is often combined with it for a symmetrical look. The Madonna is the lateral variant of the Medusa, placed on the right or left of the upper lip, mimicking the singer's famous beauty mark. Both variants usually use a small stud with a gem or ball, rarely a ring.
The Smiley is an oral piercing — through the upper lip frenulum (the thin tissue connecting the lip to the gum). It's discreet, visible only on a wide smile, and is a favourite of teenagers and young people who want a piercing without permanent visible commitment. Healing is fast (4-8 weeks) but the rejection rate is higher than other variants, because the frenulum is thin and can tear over time. Snake Bites are two symmetrical labrets placed at the corners of the lower lip — the price is double (160 RON) because it involves two separate perforations.
Cheek piercing (or Dimple piercing) is the most demanding variant — it traverses the cheek completely, from the outside to the inside of the oral cavity. It requires careful anatomical evaluation to avoid the Stensen duct (parotid gland duct) and major blood vessels. Healing takes 12-24 weeks, and the complication rate (infection, migration, scarring) is higher. At Funky Tattoo we do cheek piercing only for clients with favourable anatomy, after mandatory prior consultation.
Dual aftercare: external and oral
Lip and oral piercings require care on two fronts — the outside (face) and the inside (oral cavity). At Funky Tattoo we provide a detailed written protocol, but the basic principles are: 2-3 daily external cleanings with sterile saline and 4-6 daily oral rinses with salt water or an alcohol-free oral antiseptic (Corsodyl, Curasept).
The external side is cleaned like any other piercing: saline on a soft tissue, applied gently without moving the jewellery, 2-3 times a day. We avoid makeup on the piercing area for 4 weeks, as well as acid cosmetic products (AHA, BHA, retinol) that can irritate the canal. For women, we avoid lipstick and gloss in the first 2 weeks — bacteria from lip cosmetic products are a frequent cause of infection.
The oral side is more complex. After each meal, rinse the mouth with warm salt water (a teaspoon of salt per glass of water) or with an alcohol-free antiseptic solution. Avoid spicy, acidic (lemon, tomatoes, citrus) or very hot foods in the first 2 weeks — these irritate the healing mucosa. Smoking and alcohol consumption are forbidden in the first 7-10 days, as they delay mucosal healing 2-3 times.
Bleeding and lip swelling in the first 3-5 days is normal — we apply cold compresses in the first 48 hours to reduce oedema. The initial jewellery is intentionally longer (8-10 mm labret) to accommodate swelling; don't try to tighten it. After 2-4 weeks, when the swelling has subsided, we offer the first change to a shorter post (6 mm) in sterile conditions — service included in the price.
For the smiley, aftercare is exclusively oral — rinses 4-6 times a day with salt water, avoiding aggressive brushing of the front teeth in the frenulum area. For cheek piercing, the protocol is strictest: rinses 6-8 times a day, no solid food in the first 5 days (soups, smoothies, yogurt), and follow-up at 7 days, 14 days, 4 weeks, 8 weeks. Any sign of infection (fever, throbbing pain, yellow-green discharge) requires immediate presentation in the studio or to a doctor.