Are you interested in getting a face piercing but are not sure where to start? With so many piercing names and types out there, it can be overwhelming to decide which one is right for you. But fear not, this in-depth guide to face piercing names and types will provide you with all the information you need to make an informed decision.

Eyebrow piercings

Eyebrow piercings are a bold and edgy choice for those looking for a unique piercing. They can be done on either side of the eyebrow and are usually adorned with a curved barbell or a captive bead ring.

• Standard eyebrow piercing: This is the most common type of eyebrow piercing and is typically placed vertically through the eyebrow ridge.
• Anti-eyebrow piercing: This piercing is placed on the cheekbone just below the eye, in line with the eyebrow.
• Horizontal eyebrow piercing: This piercing is placed horizontally through the eyebrow ridge.
• Bridge piercing: This piercing is placed horizontally across the bridge of the nose, between the eyes.

Lip piercings

Lip piercings are another popular type of face piercing. They can be done on the upper or lower lip and are usually adorned with a stud or a hoop. Here are the different types of lip piercings:

• Labret piercing: This piercing is placed through the center of the bottom lip, just above the chin.
• Vertical labret piercing: This piercing is placed through the bottom lip, vertically, and exits at the top of the bottom lip.
• Horizontal labret piercing: Also known as a horizontal lip piercing, this is a type of piercing that goes through the skin on the lower lip and comes out horizontally on the outside of the lip.
• Monroe piercing: This piercing is placed on the left side of the upper lip, resembling the beauty mark of Marilyn Monroe.
• Medusa piercing: This piercing is placed through the center of the upper lip, just below the septum.
• Snake bites: Two piercings on either side of the lower lip, usually evenly spaced.
• Dolphin bites: Two piercings on either side of the lower lip, closer together than snake bites.
• Ashley piercing: This piercing is placed vertically through the center of the lower lip, exiting through the top of the lip.
• Canine bites: Four piercings placed on the upper and lower lips, with two on each side of the canine teeth.
• Cyber bites: Two piercings, one on the upper lip and one on the lower lip, directly centered on top of each other.
• Jestrum piercing: This piercing is placed through the center of the upper lip, exiting through the center of the philtrum.
• Shark bites: Two piercings on the lower lip, located closer to the corners of the mouth than snake bites.
• Vampire bites: Two piercings on the upper lip, located on either side of the philtrum, resembling vampire fangs.

Nose piercings

Nose piercings are one of the most common types of face piercings. They can be done on either side of the nose or through the septum, which is the cartilage that separates the nostrils. Here are the different types of nose piercings:

• Nostril piercing: This is the most common type of nose piercing and is typically placed on the side of the nostril.
• Septum piercing: This piercing is placed through the center of the nose, in the thin strip of skin between the nostrils.
• High nostril piercing: This piercing is placed slightly higher up on the nostril, just below the nose bone.
• Bridge piercing: This piercing is placed horizontally across the bridge of the nose, between the eyes.
• Nasallang piercing: This piercing goes through both nostrils and the septum, forming a single piece of jewelry that runs through the nose.
• Austin bar piercing: This is a variation of the bridge piercing, with a longer barbell that extends through the nose, from one nostril to the other.
• Rhino piercing: This is a variation of the bridge piercing, with two studs placed on either side of the bridge, resembling a rhinoceros horn.
• Vertical nose tip piercing: This piercing is placed vertically through the tip of the nose.
• Septril piercing: This piercing is a combination of the septum and nostril piercing, with a stud in the nostril and a hoop or horseshoe-shaped ring through the septum.
• High septum piercing: This piercing is similar to the septum piercing, but placed higher up on the septum, close to the nostrils.

Cheek piercings

Cheek piercings are a less common type of face piercing but can add a unique touch to your appearance. Here are the different types of cheek piercings:

• Standard cheek piercing: This piercing is placed through the cheek, usually towards the back of the mouth.
• Dimple piercing: This piercing is placed in the cheek, mimicking a natural dimple.
• Horizontal cheek piercing: This piercing is placed horizontally through the cheek, usually towards the back of the mouth.

Tongue piercings

While not a face piercing in the traditional sense, tongue piercings have become increasingly popular in recent years. They involve puncturing the tongue with a needle and inserting a barbell or other type of jewelry. Here are the different types of tongue piercings:

• Tongue web piercing: This piercing is placed through the webbing beneath the tongue, connecting it to the floor of the mouth.
• Frenulum linguae piercing: This piercing is placed through the frenulum, the small piece of tissue that connects the underside of the tongue to the floor of the mouth.
• Venom piercing: This piercing is similar to snake eyes piercing, with two studs placed side by side horizontally through the tip of the tongue, resembling venomous fangs.
• Horizontal tongue piercing: This piercing is placed horizontally through the middle of the tongue, with a barbell or captive bead ring.
• Vertical tongue piercing: This piercing is placed vertically through the center of the tongue, with a straight or curved barbell.

Ear piercings

While not strictly a face piercing, ear piercings are a popular type of body modification and can complement face piercings nicely. Here are the different types of ear piercings:

• Standard lobe piercing: This is the most common type of ear piercing and is typically placed through the fleshy part of the earlobe and can be adorned with a stud, hoop, or dangle earring.
• Cartilage piercings: These piercings can be placed in various areas of the ear cartilage, such as the helix, tragus, and conch. Cartilage piercings require special care and may take longer to heal than earlobe piercings.
• Industrial piercing: This piercing consists of two piercings connected by a single piece of jewelry, usually running diagonally across the ear. It is usually done on the upper ear and requires careful placement by an experienced piercer.
• Orbital piercing: This piercing is placed through the ear cartilage, with one hole at the top of the ear and another at the bottom, connected by a single piece of jewelry.
• Rook piercing: This piercing is placed through the fold of cartilage in the upper ear, between the helix and the outer edge of the ear.
• Daith piercing: This piercing is placed through the innermost fold of cartilage in the ear, above the ear canal.
• Snug piercing: This piercing is placed through the inner cartilage ridge of the ear, closest to the head.
• Anti-tragus piercing: This piercing is placed through the small flap of cartilage opposite the tragus, on the outer edge of the ear.
• Transverse lobe piercing: This piercing is placed horizontally through the earlobe, with a straight or curved barbell.
• Helix piercing: This piercing is placed through the outer rim of the ear, typically halfway up the ear or higher.
• Forward helix piercing: This piercing is placed through the inner rim of the ear, near the head.
• Double helix piercing: This piercing consists of two piercings placed along the outer rim of the ear.
• Triple helix piercing: This piercing consists of three piercings placed along the outer rim of the ear.
• Sideburn piercing: This is a type of ear piercing that is placed through the sideburn area of the face, typically where the hair ends and the skin begins.

Oral piercings

In addition to ear piercings, there are also several types of oral piercings that can add a unique touch to your appearance. Here are the different types of oral piercings:

• Frenulum piercing: This piercing is placed through the small piece of tissue that connects the upper lip to the gum.
• Smiley piercing: This piercing is placed through the thin piece of skin that connects the upper lip to the gums, visible only when smiling.
• Frowny piercing: This piercing is placed through the thin piece of skin that connects the lower lip to the gums, visible only when frowning.
• Uvula piercing: This piercing is placed through the small piece of tissue that hangs down at the back of the throat.

Surface piercings

Surface piercings are a type of piercing that is placed on a flat surface of the body, such as the temple or cheekbone. Here are the different types of surface piercings:

• Temple piercing: This piercing is placed through the skin on the temple area of the forehead.
• Third eye piercing: This piercing is placed vertically between the eyebrows, resembling a third eye. While both ends of the jewelry are usually visible, if only one is visible, it’s referred to as a microdermal third eye.
• Cheekbone piercing: This piercing is placed horizontally on the cheekbone, parallel to the horizontal cheek piercing.
• Nasal bridge piercing: This piercing is placed horizontally across the bridge of the nose, above the bridge piercing.

Other facial piercings

In addition to ear, oral, and surface piercings, there are several other types of facial piercings. Here are some examples:

• Eyelid piercing: This piercing is placed horizontally across the upper or lower eyelid, with the jewelry visible on the surface.
• Chin piercing: This piercing is placed in the center of the chin, either horizontally or vertically.
• Philtrum piercing: This piercing is placed in the groove between the upper lip and nose.
• Vampire piercing: Two piercings on either side of the neck, resembling vampire bites.

Does getting a face piercing hurt?

Getting a facial piercing can be a unique and exciting experience, but it’s also important to consider the level of pain involved. The amount of pain varies from person to person and depends on factors such as the location of the piercing, individual pain tolerance, and the experience of the piercer. Some facial piercings are typically less painful than others, such as nostril piercings and standard eyebrow piercings, which usually range from a 2 to 4 out of 10 on the pain scale. However, some facial piercings can be more painful, such as the industrial piercing and dermal anchors, which can range from an 8 to 9 out of 10 on the pain scale.

The anatomy of the area being pierced can also affect the pain level of the piercing. Areas with more nerve endings or thicker cartilage may cause more pain during the piercing process. For example, the industrial piercing passes through two areas of cartilage, making it more painful than other ear piercings. Additionally, some areas may be more prone to swelling and discomfort during the healing process, which can also contribute to the overall pain level. It’s important to keep these factors in mind when considering getting a facial piercing and to communicate any discomfort or pain with your piercer during the process.

Here is a pain level rating from 1 to 10 for the most well-known facial piercings:

Ear piercings

Lip piercings

Nose piercings

Eyebrow Piercings

Tongue Piercings

How long do face piercings take to heal?

The healing time for a face piercing is influenced by several factors, including the location of the piercing, the individual’s overall health, and their adherence to aftercare instructions provided by the piercer. Some piercings, such as the nostril piercing, may take longer to heal due to their location in a high-movement area of the face. Additionally, piercings in areas with thicker cartilage, such as the ear cartilage (helix, tragus or conch for example) , may take longer to heal than piercings in softer tissue. For example, a cartilage piercing can take up to 6 months to fully heal, while a standard earlobe piercing may only take 4 to 6 weeks. To promote proper healing, it’s important to follow aftercare instructions and avoid activities that could irritate the piercing. This includes touching the piercing with dirty hands, using harsh products on the piercing, and submerging the piercing in water during the healing process.

How much do facial piercings cost?

The cost of a facial piercing varies depending on the location of the piercing, the experience of the piercer, and the jewelry used. On average, a facial piercing can cost anywhere from $30 to $100 or more. Specialty or rare piercings may cost more due to the increased skill and precision required.

When can I change my facial piercing jewelry?

It’s recommended to wait until the piercing has fully healed before changing the jewelry. This can take anywhere from 4 to 12 weeks or longer, depending on the location of the piercing and the individual’s healing process. Changing the jewelry too soon can irritate the piercing, prolong the healing process, and increase the risk of infection. When changing the jewelry, it’s important to use sterile equipment and to clean the jewelry and the piercing thoroughly beforehand. If you experience any discomfort or pain during or after changing the jewelry, seek the advice of a professional piercer.