Your Complete Guide to Philtrum Jewelry

Philtrum piercings have been around since the 1990s, but they have been increasing in popularity for the last several years. Above the lip and below the septum, a philtrum piercing—also known as a medusa piercing—is a unique placement that can be flattering on any face.

The location of the philtrum piercing classifies it as both an oral piercing and a body piercing, putting it in a category of its own. With a high-quality professional piercer and diligent aftercare, the medusa piercing might be just right for you.

What Is the Philtrum?

The philtrum is the central groove going from the bottom of the nose to the top of the lip. A philtrum piercing goes in the middle of this spot.

You may be wondering how the philtrum piercing got its start. Lip piercings date back millennia to the ancient Aztecs and Mayans as a part of spiritual rituals. Indigenous people around the world, including the Melanesian people in Papua New Guinea, and the Dogon people living in Mali, continue to perform different kinds of lip piercings as meaningful practices.

The philtrum piercing itself seems to have a more recent lineage in the Western world. In the mid-1990s, when facial piercings had their heyday, it is rumored that a Canadian piercer came up with the idea for the medusa piercing, and it gradually became more popular.

Our Favourite Philtrum Piercing Threadless Jewelry Ends

What Gauge Is the Philtrum Piercing?

A philtrum piercing happens with a 16-gauge, 3/8” labret stud. If the healing process is going smoothly for several months, sometimes you can go to your piercer and switch to a slightly smaller option, such as a 16-gauge, 5/16” stud.

The post for piercing is longer not only because the upper lip area is a thicker area of skin, but there is also a relatively significant amount of blood flow in the area. This means that upon piercing, the philtrum will often naturally swell even when an excellent piercer performs the task.

What Kind of Jewelry Do You Use for a Medusa Piercing?

Whether you are looking for a subtle gold ball or an attention-grabbing design, the medusa piercing could be right for you.

The most common jewelry for a medusa piercing is a labret stud. Labret studs are the best option for lip piercings because they have a flat plate on one end and a threaded accessory on the other. The piercing jewelry should always be 14k gold or high-quality stainless steel posts, which are better able to be sterilized and significantly reduce the risk of infection. Infection is always a possibility when puncturing the skin for any body modification, so it is crucial to follow aftercare steps outlined by your piercer carefully.

Shopping for Philtrum Jewelry

Some of our favorite places to get upper lip body jewelry are Junipurr Jewelry, Buddha Jewelry Organics, BVLA, as well as other options we carry here at pierced.co. Each of these brands provides a myriad of attractive options. Perhaps even more importantly, they offer 14K gold body jewelry. Having genuine gold body jewelry is vital because it is an implant-grade material that is far less likely to irritate even the most sensitive skin.

Changing Your Upper Lip Jewelry

Before changing your piercing jewelry for the first time, you should have your measurements assessed by a professional to ensure the proper fit. A piercing professional can also verify for you that your piercing has fully healed and is ready to be changed. It generally takes around three months for a philtrum piercing to heal, but it can take longer for some individuals.

If you live in the Ontario area, visit one of our locations in Newmarket or Mississauga for a professional measurement as well as a body jewelry change!