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What are the Different Types of Facial Piercings?

Anna T.
Anna T.

The most common types of facial piercings are located around the nose, lips, and cheeks. Some people also get facial piercings done on their eyebrows. There are many different variations in piercings done in these locations, and people often try to get as creative as possible in their variations. The recovery time for different piercings in the facial areas also varies depending on the location and sensitivity of the area pierced. Recovery time is also dependent on how well after-care instructions are followed.

Nose piercings are one of the most common facial piercings. Most people with nose piercings have the piercings done in the corners of their noses, on either the right or left side, just above where the top corner of the nostril meets the side of the nose. Some people also get septum piercings, which are done through the piece of cartilage separating each nostril. Septum piercings tend to resemble piercings done on the noses of bulls, and people often use hoop jewelry to decorate their septum piercings.

Lip piercings are fairly popular and are usually done through the top of the lower lip.
Lip piercings are fairly popular and are usually done through the top of the lower lip.

Lip piercings, which are also commonly referred to as labret piercings, are also fairly popular. Most types of lip piercings are done through the top of the lower lip so that the jewelry can come out on the other side. Spider bites and snake bites are two common variations on the traditional vertical labret piercing, which is characterized by one piercing in the middle of the lower lip. Spider bites are three piercings in the top of the lower lip that are all close together, while snake bites involve two piercings in the top of the lower lip, which may be spaced apart on either side of the lower lip. Hoop jewelry is often used in spider bite and snake bite piercings so that the piercings will more closely resemble the appearance of fangs.

Nose piercings are among the most common facial piercings and are using done through the right or left nostril.
Nose piercings are among the most common facial piercings and are using done through the right or left nostril.

Cheek piercings are another type of common facial piercing, and these are often referred to as dimple piercings. With cheek piercing, the areas where dimples usually form is typically pierced. These piercings can accentuate the look of existing dimples, or they can make a person appear to have dimples when she does not. Eyebrow piercings are also a very popular type of facial piercing. Most people pierce just one end of their eyebrows, usually on the side farthest away from their noses, while other people might sport multiple eyebrow piercings along the entire length of one or both eyebrows.

Eyebrow piercings are a very popular type of facial piercing.
Eyebrow piercings are a very popular type of facial piercing.

Facial piercings can take several weeks to several months to completely heal, depending on the location of the piercings and how well they are taken care of. Eyebrow piercings tend to heal faster than nose and lip piercings because the tissue involved in eyebrow piercings doesn't stay moist, whereas tissue in nose and lip piercings may continually get wet due to the presence of mucus and saliva. Cheek piercings might also take a while to heal because of the sensitivity of the inside of the cheek. People who want their facial piercings to heal as quickly as possible should diligently follow all after-care instructions given to them by their piercing specialists.

Discussion Comments

fBoyle

The dimple piercings done on the cheeks look so cute. They really look like dimples. It's perfect for people who don't have dimples naturally. I have no idea about healing time though, or if it's painful. The tissue in the cheeks are fairly thick, so it might take long to heal. I know I would need some kind of local anesthetic if I were to ever get this type of piercing.

bear78

@burcinc-- I love nose piercings too but I had a bad experience with it. I had the piercing done by a girl who apparently didn't know what she was doing. She punctured a blood vessel doing it and my nose bled continuously and did not heal. I had to remove the piercing and I never had another one done. I still have a purple spot on my nose.

I'm not telling this to you to scare you. Nose piercings are safe and painless as long as you have it done by an expert who has a lot of experience. Do some research before selecting the piercer. Make sure to ask them if they have experience, etc. And keep the area clean, follow the cleaning directions and do not remove the initial ring until it has completely healed.

Right now the only piercings I have are my ear piercings. When I see a nose piercing, I still long for it but I'm too scared to try again.

burcinc

I love nose piercings. They look so nice. I badly want one but I have to convince my mom first. She doesn't like piercings, she thinks they're dangerous. But I think a nose piercing isn't too dangerous. hope I can get one soon. I don't want a ring though, I want a regular stud with a small crystal.

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    • Lip piercings are fairly popular and are usually done through the top of the lower lip.
      By: Kirill Kotlyarenko
      Lip piercings are fairly popular and are usually done through the top of the lower lip.
    • Nose piercings are among the most common facial piercings and are using done through the right or left nostril.
      By: olly
      Nose piercings are among the most common facial piercings and are using done through the right or left nostril.
    • Eyebrow piercings are a very popular type of facial piercing.
      By: Concept web Studio
      Eyebrow piercings are a very popular type of facial piercing.
    • Tongue piercings have become increasingly common.
      By: Duey
      Tongue piercings have become increasingly common.