This piercing is a bold and unique way to enhance your facial features and brighten up the face, but it does come with some important considerations. If you're thinking about getting cheek or dimple piercings, you might be wondering about common concerns like "how long do cheek piercings take to heal?" or "how much are cheek piercings?"
This piercing can sometimes cause swelling and other complications, so it's important to know what to expect and how to care for it during the healing process. Keep reading for everything you need to know about this striking piercing choice!
Let's get some basics out of the way. What are cheek piercings called? Are they called cheek or dimple piercings? Both are used interchangeably.
Cheek piercings go through the cheeks, usually in the area that dimples form. They add a unique look and can even enhance your smile. The piercings are usually placed on both sides of the face, giving the appearance of dimples even if you don't naturally have them.
This type of piercing can look utterly adorable, but it's not something to rush into, especially if you're new to piercings. Some experienced piercers might even advise against it or refuse to perform it. But why?
If you're still keen on getting this piercing, make sure to do research and choose a professional piercer with experience in this type of piercing. It can be difficult to heal and can result in permanent damage if done incorrectly. Here's a peek into what the procedure entails:
Your piercer might use a 16 gauge to 10 gauge hollow needle to create the piercing. A larger gauge may help with stability. Your piercer will decide what gauge piercing will work best for you.
The initial jewelry could be a straight barbell or a labret, designed with a long bar to accommodate swelling. Both labret and barbell jewelry can be worn in cheek piercings, but keep in mind that labrets have the advantage of a flat back disc which usually sits more flush with the inside of the cheek. This helps keep the jewelry away from your teeth. Be careful with the long bars, as there's a risk of accidentally biting them
As healing progresses and the cheek piercing swelling subsides, it’s vital to switch to jewelry with a shorter wearable length. This might require multiple changes, so it's essential to monitor the healing process closely to prevent damage to your teeth.
Another method to achieve a similar look is through the dermal dimple piercing. Instead of having the cheek piercing be inside the mouth and going through your cheek, a small L-shaped opening is made to place a dermal anchor, holding the jewelry in place. Although these usually take less time to heal (about two months), they won’t have the same dimpled look most want. Instead, it'll be and look like a surface piercing, where the jewelry lays flat against the skin. But be careful – these can be accidentally tugged out if snagged!
The pain threshold varies among individuals. Some say it's less painful than a cartilage piercing. But, given it's usually a double piercing, it will hurt, so it's best to brace yourself!
So, how much do cheek piercings cost? It can vary depending on the location, the piercer's experience and the jewelry you choose. It usually range from $50 to $100 per piercing, not including the jewelry. This is a risky piercing, so it's important to choose a piercer with experience in this type of piercing. Also, opt for high quality jewelry like implant grade titanium to promote smoother healing, even if it costs a little more.
This type of piercing also requires multiple jewelry downsizes. Be prepared to spend more on the jewelry when you need to downsize. Talk to your piercer about the additional costs. You'll also need aftercare, like saline spray, so make sure to budget for aftercare products.
How long does it take for cheek piercings to heal? The cheek piercing healing time can take from to six months up to a year, or even longer. The high-movement nature of the area can cause delays. Since it’s located near where you chew, you want to clean the inside to keep food from getting stuck in the piercing. Proper aftercare is crucial during the healing period.
So, how do cheek piercings work? After the procedure, your cheek piercing will be swollen, a lot. As time passes and the piercing starts to heal, you'll need to downsize the jewelry. The number of times you need to downsize depends on how it heals. Since swelling goes down slowly, it can be anywhere from four to six times, but it may be necessary to downsize even more. If the long bars are left in too long, they might get caught or bitten while eating, which can damage your teeth and irritate the piercing. Regular downsizing is necessary to keep the piercings comfortable and healing well.
For some people, this process is straightforward: start with long bars, wait for the swelling to reduce, then downsize, repeating until fully healed. However, others may face challenges. Downsizing itself can sometimes cause more swelling, or things like certain foods, allergies, or accidental bumps can make your cheeks swell again. In these cases, you might need to switch back to longer bars before trying to downsize again.
The cheek piercing healing process is long and requires staying on top of your aftercare. Follow your piercer's aftercare instructions and make sure to go back to get the jewelry downsized as needed. Generally, clean both inside and outside twice a day – use saline sprays externally and use an alcohol-free mouthwash internally.
Other aftercare tips:
As it heals, keep an look out for any cheek piercing infections and visit your piercer or doctor if you have any concerns.
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For cheek piercings, the most common type of jewelry is a barbell. A flat-back labret may also be used. Before removing the jewelry, make sure the piercing is fully healed. Once your piercing heals, you can switch out the ends for gems or colorful beads, like opals or stones.
Looking to explore some jewelry options? Dive into an array of designs on our site.
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This piercing might not be a good choice for everyone. If you have a history of keloid scars, which are thick and raised scars, this piercing might not heal well for you. People with gum or tooth problems should also avoid it, as the jewelry can sometimes rub against your teeth and cause damage. If you can't commit to the long cheek dimple piercing healing process, which can take up to a year or longer, it’s better to choose a different piercing.
Always talk to a professional piercer to see if cheek piercings are right for you.
Dimples are adorable, which is part of the allure of this piercing. This type of piercing can sometimes create the appearance of dimples, but it’s not guaranteed. When the piercer assesses your anatomy, the best placement may not be exactly where you want it. This is because they need to avoid important structures like nerves, blood vessels, or the parotid duct, which can affect where the piercing can safely be placed.
Additionally, when the piercings heal, some people are left with small cheek piercing holes or indentations in their cheeks that may look like dimples, even when they take the jewelry out. However, this depends on how your body heals and whether you already have dimples or not. The indentations are caused by scar tissue forming around the piercing, which may or may not look like natural dimples.
If you're trying to get dimples from this piercing, its best to get them surgically done. After removing your cheek piercing, the scar or indentation left, may not be what you expect.
Cheek piercings can bring brightness to your smile, but they're risky. A wrong move can lead to complications. It's paramount to do thorough research and consult an experienced piercer. Discuss the risks and get a comprehensive understanding before making a decision.
Always stay informed and make decisions that are right for you! And don't forget to follow us on our social channels @Bodyartforms for more piercing insights!
