Whether it’s belly buttons, ear, or lip piercings (Spider Bites Piercing), smiley piercings or body piercings have long been fashionable. Body piercing is a centuries-old procedure that involves making a small hole in a body area so that a piece of jewelry may be inserted through it.
Smiley piercings have recently come under the gaze of fashionistas all around the world. The smiley piercing, which is appropriate for both men and women, is one of the most popular and distinctive piercings right now. Let’s know more about in the further part of the blog.
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What Exactly is Smiley Piercing?
The smiley piercing, also known as the frenulum piercing, calls for piercing the tissue flap that connects the inside of your top lip to your upper gum. The term for this piercing stems from the fact that it is noticeable when you smile.
It has grown to be a popular option for individuals who want a piercing they can conceal since unless intentionally shown, it is typically inconspicuous.
Put your tongue straight up in front of your teeth with your lips closed, just in case you have trouble finding it. There should be a thin line of skin between your lips and gums.
The frenulum you want is the one. Smiley piercings, like other mouth piercings, are very sensitive and challenging to keep clean. So, be certain whether you really want to have it or not.
What is Smiley Piercing Jewelry Made of?
It is important to carefully choose the material for smiley piercings so that it doesn’t irritate the skin. The following materials are available for jewelry:
- Titanium: The most popular recommendation for those with sensitive skin is this material.
- Stainless steel: Although it is thought to be hypoallergenic, there is a chance that it might irritate certain people.
- Niobium: Along with being hypoallergenic, this material also has the quality of not corroding, which helps it keep its shine for a longer time.
During the healing period, only 14-carat yellow or white gold is preferred for piercings. Gold that is more than 18 karats and jewelry with embedded gold might result in certain allergic reactions and infections.
Pros of Smiley Piercing
- Smiley piercings are discreet and simple to conceal. If you are worried about maintaining a professional image and not having obvious piercings, smiley placement is advantageous.
- The tiny layer of tissue that is penetrated makes smiling piercings relatively painless. Compared to many face piercings that pierce through cartilage or thicker skin, this one is far less uncomfortable.
- The smiley face piercing is said to be the easiest and safest way to get started with piercings.
- There is no secret that certain piercings are trickier to receive than others. Smiley lip piercing falls under the category of simple-to-obtain ones, and the process is less complicated.
- The incision is so straightforward that it may be completed in as little as a few minutes.
Cons of Smiley Piercing
- Not everyone should get smiley piercings. If your frenulum is too thin or the region is too little to hold the jewelry in place, your piercer can decline to pierce you.
- Smiley piercings have several possible health hazards. Issues with your gums and teeth may develop because the jewelry dangles between your lip and teeth. However, if you are careful about your dental hygiene and aftercare practice after your piercing surgery, these dangers can be minimized.
- Although the mouth area is known to recover more quickly than other body areas, you should be aware of the enormous amount of germs that live there. Therefore, the faster your new piercing heals, and vice versa, the better you take care of it.
Healing Time of Smiley Piercing
The usual belief is that it can take a smiley piercing 4–12 weeks to heal, but we think that estimate is excessively cautious. Recovery usually takes 2 weeks on average, however for people who have a slower healing rate, it might take up to 4 weeks.
As a result, since it is less intrusive, it is estimated that it would take around 2 weeks to recuperate on average.
How to Clean Smiley Piercing?
There are a lot fewer restrictions once the piercing is fully healed, but you still need to keep it clean since plaque may build up on the smiley. You may just treat it as if it were another tooth to maintain cleanliness.
Nothing unusual has to be done. You may use ordinary toothpaste to brush it. In reality, the majority of individuals just clean it with the same toothbrush and toothpaste they used to brush their teeth.
How Safe is Smiley Piercing?
Although the process appears quick and simple, there are hazards involved with making holes in your body. Some of the dangers are listed below:
- If it is positioned wrongly, it damages the gums. Gum injury can also result from jewelry that rubs on your gums or rests too high on the gum line.
- When wearing jewelry with big beads and other attachments, there is a considerable risk of enamel damage.
- If germs are allowed to accumulate in the piercing region, there is a greater risk of developing a bacterial infection. When the body rejects the jewelry, it may produce additional skin tissue to force the piercing from the frenulum.
Infections and Risks
Most individuals who receive smiley piercings don’t get infections, but there is no assurance that you won’t either. The chances are in your favor if you adhere to your aftercare recommendations, so you could avoid getting an infected smiley piercing.
It is simple to identify the problem region with many piercing infections. If you have an ear or belly button piercing, you may readily check the region for any indications of infection.
It’s considerably tougher to detect an infection in a smiley piercing. You find it tough to observe because of where it is located. You need to lift your lip up and away from your teeth to have good vision.
Even though it might be challenging to see properly without the aid of a strong light or flashlight, looking at your frenulum can provide you with some valuable visual cues if you think you could be suffering from an infection. Swelling, redness, or discharge from the piercing site may indicate an infection.
Additionally, infections may cause symptoms that you only feel rather than see. These signs include discomfort or soreness. Both of those symptoms are normal in the first week or two following a smiley piercing, but if they worsen rather than improve, you should be extremely wary of infection.
You shouldn’t attempt to cure smiley piercing infections yourself, in contrast to earlobe piercings, which you can if you have an infection. You should visit a doctor straight away for a diagnosis if you see any indications of an infection.
Does Smiley Piercing hurt?
A piercing will cause the least amount of discomfort in the ear cartilage, or the nose. We will never be able to compress it enough, yet everyone feels pain differently. The Smiley piercing, however, is one of the least painful and even among the most tolerable.
As the skin is relatively thin and there are few nerve endings in this area, it is less painful than, say, cartilage piercing. But do not fear, the discomfort only lasts a short while.
You won’t feel it pass as you would with an ear piercing. So don’t worry, and if it would help you feel more at ease.
How Much Do Smiley Piercings Cost?
Depending on where you are, you may expect to pay anything from $30 to $90 for it. It’s essential to avoid cutting corners when it comes to any piercings or other modifications. If spending more money results in a more enjoyable and comfortable experience, it is worthwhile.
Of course, if the jewelry for your new piercing is not already included in the cost from your piercer, you will have to pay for it. Fortunately, you have a wide range of jewelry selections to choose from. You could first be given a captive bead band, both of which will show when you smile.
Seamless rings are another popular option, and the options are virtually limitless. Regardless of the style you choose, they’ll always seem rather understated, and they’re simpler to conceal than many piercings if you’d prefer not to reveal them during a job interview or when your great-aunt pays a visit.
The Bottom Line
Finally, regarding the safety of smiling piercings, a few factors should be taken into account, such as where and by whom you are receiving the piercing, as well as if the equipment being used is properly sterile. These piercings are more likely to become infected because of the proximity to the mouth. Therefore, before undergoing such treatment, all of these factors should be considered.
However, smiling piercings are sometimes referred to be the alternatives with the shortest lifespan. Such a piercing often lasts for a year and may be rejected by your body. Despite the common rejection of happy piercings, there are occasions when they survive for years or even decades.