Lip piercings have always been popular, but the medusa piercing is one of the few top lip piercings to gain notoriety.
This handy guide will lead you through all the necessary details about piercing procedure, pain level, healing time and aftercare of getting a medusa piercing.
As a bonus, explore 20+ photos of different jewelry options and a list of aftercare products that will keep your piercing healthy and happy!
What is a Medusa Piercing?
The medusa piercing is a puncture centered above the upper lip on the groove under the nasal septum. This small groove is called the philtrum, so medusa piercings are sometimes referred to as philtrum or cupid’s bow piercings. Medusa piercings complement septum piercings since they both help center the face.
Medusa Piercing Variations
There are two common variations of the medusa piercing:
- Double medusa piercing. For a “double medusa”, the philtrum is pierced twice vertically so that the piercings are stacked. Both punctures are located just above the upper lip. Double medusa piercings are usually decorated with studs.
- Jestrum piercing (or vertical medusa piercing). While this is a single piercing, both sides of the jewelry are visible. The vertical medusa uses a curved barbell so that one end shows just below the upper lip and the other just above it.
Should You Get a Medusa Piercing?
Pros
- Medusa is a universal piercing type that suits any gender. It has gained popularity since it’s not overly feminine or masculine.
- This piercing helps to accentuate the lip contours and draws attention to the mouth.
Cons
- Medusa piercings require more attention during the healing process. Since it is a facial piercing, you’ll need to be careful with applying makeup or shaving and keeping it extra clean to avoid issues or infections.
- Find a trusted piercer to ensure proper technique. A poor piercing job can eliminate the symmetry you’re trying to achieve!
Medusa Piercing Procedure
Be sure to familiarize yourself with the medusa piercing procedure before going to get pierced. It’s important to choose a reputable & experienced piercer to ensure this process goes as smoothly as possible.
Your piercer will sanitize all the necessary instruments and the piercing location before getting started. They will also mark the location of your new piercing with a surgical pen to make sure the placement is correct. Make sure you’re happy with the location before you move further.
Your lip will be steadily fixed with a clamp to avoid any potential movement. Your piercer will then puncture your lip from the inside to the outside and insert the jewelry. The needle will be pulled out and the end secured on your stud, and the area will be cleaned as a precaution.
Watch the videos below to see what to expect from the piercing procedure.
How Much Does a Medusa Piercing Hurt?
4 of 10
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Medusa piercings measure at a 4 out of 10 on the pain scale. The procedure is less painful compared to some more elaborate piercings. However, this pain level could be considerably higher if you have a thick upper lip or certain health conditions.
Keep in mind that your new medusa piercing may be more painful after the initial procedure. Your piercing may be swollen and irritated for the first few days. This is a completely normal bodily reaction to tissue perforation, and the swelling should reduce after 2 to 3 days.
Curious about how this pain level relates to other piercings? Read more about which piercings hurt the most.
Medusa Piercing Healing & Aftercare
Healing time for a medusa piercing is short compared to other non-oral piercings. The maximum amount of time is around 12 weeks, but this can be cut shorter with a thorough aftercare routine.
General health conditions, immune issues and initial jewelry type can affect the speed of your healing process. Philtrum piercings usually take anywhere between 6 to 12 weeks to fully heal. Stick to the following aftercare guidelines to potentially speed up your healing time:
- Always wash your hands before touching your piercing.
- Do not pull or rotate the jewelry even during cleaning.
- Make sure anything that comes in contact with your piercing is clean. This includes masks, phones and personal grooming products.
- Be careful while brushing your teeth to not jostle the piercing around.
- Always clean your piercing thoroughly with saline twice per day during the healing period.
Recommended Aftercare Products
Sea salt
This enhanced sea salt mixture is perfect for making a saline solution to clean your piercing.
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Piercing aftercare spray
Saline spray is a great option for anyone on-the-go. Keep it in your bag and always have an easy way to clean your piercing.
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How to Clean Your Medusa Piercing
Your new piercing should be cleaned twice per day to avoid potential issues and infections. Spacing out cleaning between morning and night will ensure your piercing is always clean. Mix 1/4 teaspoon of sea salt into an 8oz glass of warm water for a quick saline solution.
Pre-made saline solutions are also available at piercing shops. Soak a clean pad or towel in the saline solution and hold it on your piercing for a few minutes to loosen up any crusty bits. Make sure to remove any debris and gently wipe off the end to keep things clean and avoid further build up.
Read more about new piercing aftercare instructions.
What to Avoid During Healing
Taking care of medusa piercing involves both timely cleaning and avoiding the following things:
- Using alcohol or hydrogen peroxide. These harsh chemicals will only irritate your new piercing.
- Irritating your piercing by excessively touching or cleaning it. This can delay the healing process.
- Swimming in lakes, seas or rivers. Bacteria from these places can get into your piercing and cause infections.
- Smoking and eating spicy or acidic foods. These can both cause further irritation to a healing piercing.
- Changing the jewelry until the healing is completed. Removing your jewelry can cause your new piercing to close.
Medusa Piercing Risks
- Infection. The most serious risk for any piercing is potential infection. Regularly cleaning your piercing and maintaining oral hygiene will reduce these risks.
- Teeth and gum erosion. Your piercing will be in contact with your teeth often. Make sure to wear properly sized jewelry and see a dentist frequently to avoid issues.
- Pain, scarring and piercing bumps. Pain and some scar tissue accompany almost any piercing, but infection and irritation are serious possibilities.
Medusa Piercing Images
Best Jewelry for Medusa Piercing
Small studs or tiny rings are the most common jewelry for philtrum piercings. Initial jewelry made of surgical steel, gold or titanium reduces the risk of jewelry rejection and infection.
You can experiment with different jewelry after healing is complete. Since most initial jewelry is in stud form, you could replace it with a ring or curved barbell to change up your look. Labret retainers are also available if you need to hide your piercing.
How Much Does a Medusa Piercing Cost?
- In the US, medusa piercings range from $40-$85.
- In the UK, medusa piercings range from £20 – £65.
- In Europe, medusa piercings range from €25 to €70.
These prices are usually dependent on the jewelry quality and the experience of the piercer or shop you go to.
Medusa Piercing Experiences
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAQ5kQ73fkw
This video shows how this piercing looks from the inside of the upper lip
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DE-fZnMtqss
