What is Cheek piercing?
It is a type of facial piercing done on the two sides of the cheeks. Since many youngsters get their cheeks pierced to fake dimples, cheek piercing is also known as dimple piercing. You may even highlight your natural dimples by opting for this style of piercing.
How to pierce your cheeks
You should go to a licensed piercing salon that have well-trained professional piercers working with high-quality equipment for a safe experience. After your cheeks are thoroughly cleaned, you have to rinse your mouth with an antibacterial liquid. The piercing points are then marked with a surgical marking pen. The cheeks are carefully pierced with a 14g or 16g sterilized needle. The jewelry is inserted after finishing the procedure.
Do dimple cheek piercings hurt
As the cheeks have a rich supply of blood vessels, it might hurt while going through this process. However, many people with a high pain tolerance have compared the pain to a mild pinch.
Cheek dimple piercing aftercare
- Clean the piercing carefully with a cotton ball soaked in warm salt water
- Rinse the pierced area with an antibacterial soap while taking bath
- Use warm saline water to rinse your mouth thoroughly after having your meals
- Avoid applying creams, ointments, or makeup on the pierced sites
- Stay away from smoking and drinking alcohol
- Do not subject the piercings to undue stress, especially while eating, speaking, and brushing the teeth
- Avoid rinsing your mouth with a mouthwash containing alcohol
Cheek piercing healing
It takes about 6 months to 1 year for the piercing to undergo complete healing.
Cheek dimple piercing infection and complications
An infected piercing will cause excessive swelling, numbness, and redness along with some pus discharge. If a dimple cheek piercing goes wrong, then there is a high possibility of nerve damage. Improper placement of the piercing might damage the parotid ducts, causing constant leakage of saliva from the cheeks, and thus increasing the chances of infection. Gum recession and cracking of teeth are the other possible complications of the piercing. An allergic reaction to the metal jewelry might cause redness and severe itching, leading to rejection and migration. Getting it changed or removed is necessary to get rid of the discomfort.
Do cheek dimple piercings give you dimples
In some cases, after healing the pierced cheek might develop scars that resemble natural dimples. However, it is noticeable only when the jewelry is removed.
Cheek dimple piercing jewelry
Labret studs or barbells measuring about 22-24 mm are ideal for the piercing. After healing, shorter jewelry should be used to prevent the gums and teeth from getting damaged. If you want to hide the piercing, then wear clear retainers. Many body piercing enthusiasts stretch their healed cheek piercings by wearing large-sized jewelry.
How much do cheek dimple piercings cost
The price of the piercing ranges between $50 and $60 in most reputable piercing parlors.
Cheek piercing Variations
One-sided cheek dimple piercing
Here, only one side of the cheek is pierced.
Dermal cheek piercing
It is the perforation of the cheek surface using microdermal implants. As the piercing does not completely penetrate the cheeks, the possibility of developing scars after healing is low.
Fake cheek dimple piercing
Being a painful process, many people use stones or studs from old earrings and some glue to create fake piercings.
Cheekbone/Upper/High cheek piercing
The piercing is done on the top of the cheekbone underneath the eye.
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