Medusa Piercing Symbolism

Body piercing is a form of art and self-expression that is popular all over the world. Some piercings done long ago were for cultural reasons, but today, most piercings are more for aesthetics and looks. Just as some people express themselves through their clothing choices or by getting tattoos, some look to the art of body piercing. One great option for those wanting to adorn themselves is the medusa piercing.

The philtrum piercing is nicknamed the Medusa piercing. It is a piercing placed right above the lip and below the septum (the cartilage that separates your nostrils). Many people use a labret stud for a Medusa piercing but, other options are available if you would like something a little fancier. The Medusa piercing is often paired with other piercings for an astounding effect. However, the Medusa on its own is pleasing because of the symmetrical placement, so it comes down to personal style and preference.

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Many people have trouble deciding which type of piercing they would like. Here are some pros and cons of the Medusa piercing to determine if it is the right piercing for you.

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As with any piercing, it is crucial to do some research and choose a reputable piercing studio. It is a good idea to find a piercer who has experience with Medusa piercings. The Medusa piercing has to be appropriately placed to prevent or lessen the risk of dental issues.

The other important aspect of placement is that it is directly in the middle of the philtrum. If it is placed off-center, the symmetry of your face will be affected. The procedure is relatively straightforward!

The procedure for a Medusa piercing is quick, so any pain felt will be short-lived. There are many nerves in the lips and the area surrounding them, so you may feel a bit of pain when the piercing occurs. The Medusa piercing only requires one puncture with a needle, and it is done in one motion, so it should only pinch for a second. After the pinch, there may be some slight throbbing as felt with any piercing. After receiving the piercing, there may be a few days of pain and swelling, but that is normal. If the pain has not gone away after a week, or if it becomes smelly and excretes puss, you should check in with a doctor.

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As stated earlier, people generally use a labret stud for a Medusa piercing. Some are quite simple and plain, but you can also find studs that are a little more ornate. Another popular choice is a curved barbell for a vertical Medusa piercing. The vertical Medusa has an entry point at the philtrum but comes out through the lip itself.

When choosing jewelry for your piercing, ensure you know what metal it is made of. Some metals may be allergens for some people. They are also more apt to cause infections and increase the risk of piercing rejection. Avoid body jewelry made of sterling silver, zinc, tin, brass, nickel, and copper since they are low-grade metals and should not be used in your piercings. Try to choose jewelry made of stainless steel and, if you have sensitivities to any metals, titanium is a better choice. Other hypoallergenic choices are niobium and gold. If you are opting for gold, choose 14k or 18k. Lower Karat is not recommended as the gold content is lower, and other metals are combined with it.

The healing time for a Medusa piercing will vary and can be anywhere from 6-12 weeks, while also depending a lot on your health and your immune system. The type of jewelry you choose can also affect the time it takes to heal. Taking care of your piercing during healing is very important. Proper care can help the healing process and reduce the risk of infection, migration, and rejection. Here are some essential tips to ensure a speedy healing process.

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Medusa piercing has become quite popular all over the world. It is a trending body art that suits many face shapes and looks good on males and females.The Medusa piercing is an upper lip piercing perfect for people who already have some piercings under their Orion’s belt. The Medusa can elegantly balance out snakebites for people who want a set of lip piercings that are to-die-for.

To help you prepare for your hero’s journey to the piercing shop, we’ve compiled a guide of everything you need to know about the Medusa piercing, its price, aftercare, and jewelry.

A Medusa piercing is technically called a philtrum piercing. It’s located in your philtrum, the area is located right above your Cupid’s bow in the center of your upper lip. And, fortunately, your partner can get up close and personal with your Medusa without worrying about you turning them into a statue. At least not with your jewelry.

Piercings — Abyss

A single piercing is the most common, but some folks have double Medusa piercings. That’s when you have one labret is closer to the bottom of your nose and a second piercing closer to your lips. Your piercer will help you determine the best placement for your face.

You don’t have to have King Midas’ golden touch to afford this piercing. But you should be ready to invest in a qualified piercer.

Your

Different piercers will charge based on the jewelry you pick. But, in general, you can expect to spend between $40 and $80 for your new bling.

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From personal experience, I’d rate my Medusa piercing as a 6.5 out of 10 on the pain scale. But this lip piercing does have a somewhat questionable reputation when it comes to how painful it is to get.

If you Google “Medusa piercing, ” you may see that it’s often called the most painful piercing. So, is this pain myth or fact?

Different people have different pain tolerances. So, this piercing can be a nightmare for some and just a sharp pinch for others. But, do expect the piercing to hurt at least a bit because it’s in a sensitive area. As you know from kissing, the lips have lots of nerves, so a piercing can really sting, and your eyes may automatically start to water.

The Jestrum (vertical Medusa) Piercing: Everything You Need To Know

But at the end of the day, a professional piercer will ensure that this piercing is quick and as pain-free as possible.

The swelling should go down in six to eight weeks, but these piercings take two to three months to be fully healed. And many people heal differently.

Philtrum

Even if the outside of your piercing looks like it’s closing up well, the inside of the fistula may still be tender. (A fistula is the actual hole that your piercing goes through. Save that for your next spelling bee!)

Right Side Nose Piercing

As soon as the swelling has gone down, you can replace your jewelry as long as your piercer gives you the A-okay.

Matt Southwood, professional piercer and tattoo artist from Traditional Tattoo in San Luis Obispo, gives some advice on piercing aftercare in his video below. “Don’t touch your piercing, play with it, or spin it. Keep it as stationary as possible.” Essentially, if a toddler would do it, don’t.

Southwood explains that the Medusa “is in your mouth, so this piercing will get a lot of movement naturally. So don’t spin it with your tongue…be careful when you’re kissing, drinking, or eating.”

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For cleaning, he recommends avoiding ointment, rubbing alcohol, or witch hazel. Instead, he says, “Use some [unscented] antibacterial soap to lightly wash the front of the piercing.”

Finally, make sure to clean the piercing with a saltwater or saline soak a couple of times a day for the first month or so of your healing. Your piercer can give you more advice about how to properly care for your piercing.

Lip

The most annoying part of a Medusa piercing is having the back of the labret bump up against your teeth or tongue. Unfortunately, this is bound to happen during the initial healing period.

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That’s because your piercer will use a longer labret than you technically need because your lip will swell in the first couple of weeks. And, you’ll need a longer piece of jewelry to accommodate that swelling. Think of this first labret as wearing stretchy pants during Thanksgiving dinner – it’s a precaution you’ll be grateful for later on.

After your swelling goes down in a couple of weeks, that longer piercing may become more obtrusive. So after a month or two, you can take that initial 16 gauge, 3/8 labret, and have your piercer insert a 16 gauge, 5/16 piece of jewelry. This size of labret is just a bit smaller, and it’s what most people will wear in their healed Medusa.

Hoops tend to snag when you’re eating, drinking, or smooching. And curved barbells, although some people do opt for them, have a tendency to shift around as you speak, Meaning it may not appear to sit evenly on your lip.

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But labrets are a safe bet a drop-dead gorgeous Medusa piercing. From simple diamonds to multi-colored gems, there are tons of options to make your new piercing a true knockout.

Laken Brooks is a writer and freelance editor from rural Appalachia. She's the granddaughter

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