If you’ve always dreamed of having an adorable dimpled smile, cheek piercings are for you! They brighten up the face and they look amazing. They bring brightness to your smile, the same way natural dimples do. So, if that’s what you’re looking for, this guide will help you make a final choice.
What Is a Cheek Piercing?
A cheek piercing or a dimple piercing is the kind of piercing that allows you to emulate a dimpled smile. They’re placed on the sides of your smile, on your cheeks, where your natural dimples would be. They’ve gained popularity, but they’re still one of the most difficult piercings to get because of their location.
Cheek Piercing Healing Time, Pain, and Aftermath
A cheek piercing will take from 8 to 12 weeks to heal, but the healing time may last longer than that. As mentioned above, this is a difficult piercing to get. So much so, piercers will try to talk you out of it.
It’s difficult for cheek piercings to heal because food can get stuck in them and they’re very close to the parotid duct, which allows for saliva generation. You definitely need to go to a professional because if it’s done incorrectly, they can damage your parotid duct and you’ll have issues!
As for the pain level of a cheek piercing, you’ll be happy to know it’s very low. It hurts a lot less than a cartilage piercing. The only drawback is you’ll be getting two piercings at the same time. However, you won’t feel it too much. Especially not if you go to a professional piercer who will guide you through the process.
In the aftermath of a cheek piercing, expect some swelling on your cheeks. Also, keep in mind this is not a low-maintenance piercing. You need to be vigilant and religious with your aftercare routine. You will also need to change your jewelry several times, which is something you should discuss with your piercer.
You’ll have starter jewelry, and as your cheeks go back to your regular size, you’ll need to get smaller pieces. If you keep jewelry that’s too large, you risk chomping on it with your teeth, your body may reject it, and it will be too heavy on the holes.
Jewelry for Cheek Piercings
The starter jewelry for a cheek piercing is a straight barbell or a labret stud to allow for swelling. Once the swelling is reduced, you’ll be able to get smaller jewelry. When the piercings are fully healed, you can choose the straight barbell or labret stud you want to rock!
Cheek piercings are definitely not for everyone. They are complicated and there are many risks involved, which means you need to be super careful during healing time and adhere to strict aftercare habits. Because of the location, it takes some getting used to and you’ll need to be careful when you’re chewing. Plus, it can cause some scarring. So, don’t make this decision lightly and discuss it thoroughly with a professional piercer!