Cheek piercing is another type of facial body piercing. A cheek piercing is both oral piercing and facial piercing. Cheek piercing can be done on either side of the face. It can be at the upper cheek or cheekbone.
Usually, a cheek piercing is done symmetrically on both sides of the cheek to imitate natural dimple. However, you can have only cheek-side pierced.
It is very famous for youngsters as it is the best way to fake dimples. Even people with dimples also get their cheeks pierced to highlight natural dimples.
There are mainly three types of cheek piercing – Dermal cheek piercing, Dimple cheek piercing, and Cheekbone piercing.
Facial piercing is very sensitive and easily prone to infections so, it is advised to take proper care. Let’s see in detail about cheek piercing.
Table of Contents
What Is Dermal Piercing?
Dermal piercing can be done on cheeks as well as any part of the skin. Dermal piercing is known as micro dermal implants on the skin. The scars caused by dermal piercing are semi-permanent.
Dermal piercing is least prone to infections and it does not damage gums or tooth. However, the healing process takes time in dermal piercing. Constant care should be taken during the healing process.
Unlike other piercing, there is reduced secretion of lymph fluid from the dermal piercing. But, people often complain about having a headache because of dermal piercing.
What Is Dimple Cheek Piercing?
Dimple Cheek piercing is piercings that are done on the location of dimples. It is done to imitate natural dimples. People with dimples also get Dimple cheek piercing to enhance their dimples.
Sometimes people can also get only one dimple side pierced. Getting a dimple cheek piercing is like having man-made dimples.
You can also get fake dimples by wearing glue based jewellery or magnetic pieces of jewellery on the dimple cheek location.
What Is Cheekbone Piercing?
Cheekbone piercings are also known as Upper cheek dermal piercing or high cheek piercing. This piercing is done on the cheekbone area which is the upper part of your cheeks.
Cheekbone piercing cannot be done through the oral cavity, so they either have to be surface piercing or micro dermal piercings.
If you choose surface piercing then jewellery used will be a surface bar, barbell, captive bead ring, and curved barbell.
People often confuse cheekbone piercing with anti-eyebrow piercing. But, anti-eyebrow piercing is done above the cheekbone or below the eyebrows.
How Is Cheek Piercing Done?
For cheek piercing, you need to visit a professional body piercing artist with a safe and hygienic environment.
- Topical anaesthesia is applied 15 minutes prior to the process to reduce pain.
- The piercer will mark the exact location on your cheek where piercing has to be made.
- You must rinse your mouth with mouthwash before the piercing process.
- The piercer will take a 14g or a 16g needle and will pierce from inside out.
- If you choose for piercing from outside, then a cork is placed in your mouth to prevent any damage to gums or tongue.
- The jewellery is then screwed thus the piercing process is completed.
What Is The Jewellery Used In Cheek Piercing?
Usually, a labret stud or a tongue barbell is used in Cheek piercing. The ideal measurement of the gauge of the jewellery is 12 or 16 and the measurement of labret studs and barbells are 22 mm or 24mm.
The jewellery used in cheek piercing is usually a bit large in size to give ample space to the cheek to swell and heal after healing. Once the swelling is reduced, you can change the jewellery of smaller size.
The bars used in cheek piercing have flat back to provide comfort to the skin. You can wear clean retainers if you want to hide the piercing.
What Is The Cost Of Cheek Piercing?
The cost for Cheek piercing is ranged between $30-$80. The price may vary from one shop to another depending on the location and status of the shop. Prices are high for cheek piercing as a lot of precision is required. The cost of jewellery can be around 20$.
The non-professional piercing artist may ask for lower prices. But it is advised to get pierced by a professional artist.
Does Cheek Piercing Hurt?
When compared to the other body or facial piercing cheek piercing hurt less. People often say it feels like a pinch and pain is not too severe. The pain depends on the tolerance capabilities of the person.
The cheeks have an abundant supply of blood vessels and it might hurt mildly while going through the process of piercing because a surgical needle will go through the skin.
The piercing process is followed by pain and swelling of the pierced area. The swelling will cause difficulties in the movement of cheeks like eating and smiling.
There are few things you can do to reduce the swelling
- Place ice cubes on the pierced area for more that 15 minutes, and repeat this process many times throughout the day.
- Eat Popsicles to reduce swelling from inside of the mouth.
- Drink cold liquids to minimise the pain and swelling.
- Try Sea salt soaks, as they are known to reduce the swelling.
- Take natural anti-inflammatory medications like chamomile tea and arnica.
- Avoid chewing quickly.
How To Fake Cheek Piercing
Yes! You can fake a cheek piercing. There is jewellery which can be used in cheek piercing even without getting pierced. There is magnetic jewellery helpful in faking cheek piercings.
Magnetic jewellery is placed on the exact location inside and outside of the cheek. This magnetic jewellery will hold tightly and are easily removable when needed.
Cheek Piercing Scars And Removal
Like all other piercings, cheek piercing also leaves scars. These scars may or may not be permanent. The scars will fade with time but will leave a permanent mark. The scars depend on the amount of time and care given for the piercing to heal.
The next burning question arises is, can the cheek piercing scar be removed? Well, there is no option to remove the scar completely, but there are certain methods to fade scars.
If the scars are very noticeable then you can opt for a correction surgery. The surgery will not remove the scar completely but it will reduce the visibility of the scars.
Side Effects Of Cheek Piercing
Like any other body piercing, cheek piercing has also side effects. There are mainly three side effects of cheek piercing-
1. Infection
It is the most common side effect of cheek piercing. Infections can be caused by either piercing done by a nonprofessional artist or by not taking care of the piercing after it is done. Infections can lead to excruciating pain or redness and swelling of the pierced area. Sometimes, there can be a discharge of lymph fluid from the pierced area.
2. Rejection
Rejection is a common thing to happen in any body piercing. It depends on the compatibility of the metal used in the jewellery with the skin. When the metal is unsuitable for the skin it pushes out the metal from its surface. The metal will fall out leaving a scar to the skin.
3. Migration
It happens when there are constant touching and playing of the jewellery in the pierced area. Because of which, the pierced area will shift from its actual place along with the jewellery.
Can Cheek Piercing Get Infected?
Yes like any other body or facial piercing, cheek piercings are prone to infections if not taken good care of. Apart from getting an infection in new piercing or piercing in healing time, you can get an infection in an old piercing too. Yes, you can get an infection in a piercing even after few months or years.
Causes Of Cheek Piercing Infection
- Infections are caused by bacteria, yeast, fungi, and other pathogenic microorganisms because of poor piercing.
- Use of unsterilized piercing needles.
- Touching of pierced area with dirty hands.
- Swimming in contaminated water.
- Using dirty or contaminated bedding.
- Trauma or injuries to the pierced area can also cause infections.
- Use of too small jewellery.
Symptoms Of Cheek Piercing Infection
1. Discharge from the piercing area
When the piercing is infected then you might experience a yellowish and greenish discharge from it followed with a foul smell. But if there is a clear discharge from the site then it indicates that the piercing is in the healing process.
2. Burning sensation
Burning sensation in the pierced area is caused by any allergic reaction. This is characterised by a gaping skin along with yellowish discharge.
3. Redness and Inflammation
Swelling, redness, and bruising are few common symptoms seen in an infected piercing. Sometimes, the pierced area may feel hot in touching.
4. Excruciating Pain
When the pierced area has caught infection then you are likely to feel excruciating pain or stinging feeling.
5. Bumps and Abscess
An infected pierced area can develop bumps around it. An Abscess is generally a swollen area with body tissues.
6. Bleeding
Bleeding might be not a sign of infection, but it increases the chance of getting an infection.
7. Fever And Nausea
Fever, nausea and cold chills are other symptoms of infections. This means there is a serious infection at the piercing site.
Natural Remedies To Heal An Infected Cheek Piercing
When you see the symptoms of an infection in the cheek piercing then, try these natural remedies to reduce the infections.
1. Salt Soak Or Saline Solution
Mix a teaspoon of salt in one cup of warm water. Apply this solution to the infected piercing area. Or you can also take cotton; dip it in the solution and the soak the area with it.
2. Warm Or Cold Compress
Take a cotton cloth and soak it in warm or cold water and use this compress against the infected piercing area. Repeat this many times a day.
3. Ointments, Creams, And Gels
Apply prescribed ointments or cream or gels. Make sure you are applying the ointments recommended by the doctor.
4. Oral Antibiotics
If there is an excessive pain then you can also take prescribed oral antibiotics. These antibiotics help to reduce pain and swelling caused by infection.
5. Tea Tree Oil
Take a cotton swab and dip it in the tree tea oil. Keep the swap on the infected pierced area. Tea tree oil is considered as the best method for natural healing.
6. Aloe Vera Gel
You can also apply aloe vera gel to the infected site. Aloe vera gel is known to soothe the burning sensation in the pierced area.
7. Turmeric
Mix a teaspoon of turmeric in water to make a thick paste. Using a cotton swab apply this paste onto the infected area. Turmeric is known for its natural healing nature.
8. White Vinegar
You can also apply white vinegar to the infected site. White vinegar helps to reduce bumps caused by infection.
Cheek Piercing Aftercare And Healing
Usually, cheek piercing takes 8 to 12 weeks to heal. In some cases, it might take more than 6 months or a year to heal. You are free to remove your jewellery after 6 to 8 weeks. But, it is said that the piercing hole will be stronger if the jewellery is removed late.
Clean the piercing site from inside and outside your cheek using saline solution twice a day. This will avoid the chances of infections and will also make the healing faster.Here is a fun quiz game you can try that shows you what type of piercing you should get.
Cheek piercing aftercare
- Maintain a proper diet.
- Get enough sleep during the healing process.
- Rinse your mouth with a mouthwash or saline solution twice a day.
- Do not use mouthwash with alcohol content.
- Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol.
- Avoid eating spicy foods.
- Do not twist your jewellery.
- Wash your hands before touching your piercing.
- Drink cold drinks to minimise the pain.
- Avoid playing with your jewellery.
- Do not take aspirin.
- Give your piercing time to heal and do not rush.
- For men, it is advised to shave carefully.
- Do not brush harshly.
- For women, cover the pierced area before applying makeup.
- Avoid any kind of trauma or injuries.
- Do not intake caffeine in high amount.
- Apply tree tea oil if you have dry skin.
- Avoid going in public swimming pools.
- Do not scratch if you feel an irritation in the pierced area.
- Avoid nickel based jewellery and wear gold or titanium.
- If there is a sign of infection do not remove the jewellery immediately.
If you see any sign of infection try natural remedies to minimise it. But if those remedies don’t help then consult a doctor immediately.
Precautions Before Having Cheek Piercing
Facial piercing is a very sensitive thing and precautions should be taken before getting pierced. Always get detailed information about the type of piercing you are going to get. And also enquire about the piercing shop and the artist.
Few things to keep in mind before getting pierced –
- The piercing shop you are visiting should be hygienic.
- Make sure that the piercing artist is wearing fresh disposable gloves.
- Make sure that the piercing artist is using sterilised instruments.
- Do not get a facial piercing by a ‘piercing gun’, because they are not sterilised.
- The needle used for piercing should be new.
- The needle used should be disposed of after the piercing process.
Wrapping Up
Cheek piercing is a very common yet sensitive piercing. It gives a person beautiful dimples to fake. Always collect detailed information about the piercing before getting one. Take proper care before and after getting your cheek pierced. Stay beautiful and stay healthy!
