Medusa Piercing: Healing and Aftercare

Short answer: A medusa (philtrum) piercing is placed in the small hollow (philtrum) between the nose and lip, right in the centre of the upper lip. A single stone or ball shows outside, while inside a flat-back labret disc rests against the gum. The outer surface usually settles in about 2–3 months, but full maturing of the tissue can take longer. The first jewellery is chosen long enough to allow for swelling, and you switch to shorter jewellery once the swelling goes down (downsizing). The right length and flat-back jewellery matter for tooth and gum health.

What is a medusa piercing?

In anatomy, the vertical groove running from just under the nose to the upper lip is called the philtrum . A medusa piercing is placed at the lower end of this groove, just above the lip line. From the outside it creates a single bright point right on the centre line of the face, which is why it is often chosen by people who want a symmetrical look with other centre-line piercings such as the septum and labret.

Technically it counts as a lip piercing and is a member of the lip piercing family. A labret piercing is placed below the lower lip, while a medusa is placed above the upper lip; since both open into the mouth, their aftercare logic is similar.

Is a medusa piercing suitable for everyone?

The depth of the philtrum hollow, the thickness of the upper lip and the position of the gum line vary from person to person. Before the procedure, the piercer looks at the inner surface of the lip to assess where the disc will sit on the gum and how the lip moves when you smile and talk. If you wear braces, have fillings or crowns on your front teeth, or have receding gums, be sure to mention it before your appointment; in some cases suggesting a different spot may be better.

How is the procedure done?

Assessment and marking: The centre line is marked according to facial symmetry and checked together in the mirror.
Oral preparation: You may be asked to rinse your mouth with an alcohol-free mouthwash.
Piercing: Done in one movement with a sterile, single-use needle. Guns are not used for facial piercings; the gun is for lobes only (details: piercing gun or needle?).
Inserting the jewellery: A flat-back labret goes inside and a small ball or stone outside.

The piercing takes a few seconds. Because the lip area is rich in nerves, there may be a momentary sting and watery eyes; swelling and tenderness for a few days afterwards are expected. For how to manage pain, see piercing pain management article.

Medusa piercing healing process

The area around the mouth has a good blood supply, and the outer surface usually settles within 2–3 months . Still, the inner tissue can take longer to fully mature depending on the person, so don’t change the jewellery often in the first months.

First 3–5 days: Noticeable swelling, mild throbbing, awareness when talking and eating. Cold drinks and a cold compress help.
Weeks 1–3: Swelling decreases. Clear-yellowish crusting (lymph) may appear outside; this is normal. To tell the difference, see are crusting, discharge and lymph normal? article.
Weeks 2–4: Once the swelling goes down, the long first jewellery is replaced with a shorter one so it doesn’t rub the gum and teeth. Decide the timing of this step with your studio (see what is downsizing?).
Month 2–3 and after: The outer surface mostly calms down; plan any decorative top change after this period.

Aftercare: outside and inside the mouth

A medusa is a two-sided piercing: the outside is skin, the inside is the oral mucosa. Each side needs different care.

Outside

Once or twice a day, wet it with sterile saline solution and pat dry with clean gauze. For the right product, see how to choose saline solution
Don’t twist the jewellery or pick off crusts; wash your hands before cleaning.
Keep foundation, powder, lipstick and lip liner away from the piercing in the first weeks.

Inside the mouth

After meals, smoking and sugary drinks, rinse your mouth with an alcohol-free mouthwash or just clean water. Alcoholic mouthwashes can dry out and irritate the tissue.
Keep brushing your teeth; gently clean around the disc with a soft-bristled brush.
In the first weeks, limit very hot, very spicy and acidic foods; eat in small bites.
Habits such as knocking the jewellery against your teeth, playing with the disc with your tongue and biting your lip can damage tooth enamel and gums.

For general rules, see our piercing aftercare don’ts and the first 48 hours after a piercing articles too.

Choosing jewellery

The most common first jewellery for a medusa is a flat-back labret inside and a small ball or stone outside. The flat back spreads the disc over the gum and reduces pressure. The first jewellery is chosen long enough to handle swelling; switching to shorter jewellery once the swelling goes down matters for tooth and gum contact. Moving jewellery such as hoops is not recommended at first; it can irritate the hole and prolong healing.

For material, standard surgical steel jewellery is included in the price at our studio; titanium jewellery is 350 TL, so choosing titanium adds +350 TL to the piercing price. We compared the differences between materials in the titanium jewellery and surgical steel 316L articles. To learn the names of jewellery types, see the labret, barbell and ring differences guide.

Possible problems and when to get help

Mild swelling, tenderness and clear discharge are normal in the first weeks. If you notice the following, message your studio and see a doctor without removing the jewellery yourself: increasing redness and warmth, intense throbbing pain, green-dark foul-smelling discharge, fever. To tell irritation from infection, our article infection or irritation? will guide you. In the long term, if the disc leaves a mark on the gum or rubs tooth enamel, the jewellery length and type should be reassessed; tell your dentist you have a piercing.

Medusa piercing price and booking

Medusa (philtrum) piercing is currently not listed price list as a separate item. For suitability and the current price, message us via our booking page or WhatsApp line (+90 533 250 01 77). For comparison: on our list, lip, labret and smiley piercings are 550 TL (cash, standard surgical steel jewellery included). Our studio is in Ümraniye Çarşı, at İstiklal Mah. Mithatpaşa Cad. No:7B.

Clients under 18 must come with a parent or guardian, who brings their ID and gives written consent: parental consent for piercing under 18.

Ortadaki medusa yerine yan tarafta bir nokta düşünüyorsan Monroe piercing rehberine for more.

Got a question? Ask on WhatsApp or book an appointment in Ümraniye at our studio in Ümraniye Çarşı.

FAQ

Are medusa piercing and philtrum piercing the same thing?

Yes. Philtrum is the anatomical name for the vertical groove between the nose and upper lip; a piercing at this point is commonly called a medusa piercing.

How long does a medusa piercing take to heal?

The outer surface usually settles in 2–3 months. The inner tissue can take longer to fully mature, so don’t change the jewellery often in the first months.

Can a medusa piercing damage your teeth?

Using a flat-back labret of the right length, switching to shorter jewellery once the swelling goes down and avoiding the habit of knocking the jewellery against your teeth reduce tooth and gum contact. Mention your piercing at regular dental check-ups.

What shouldn’t you eat after a medusa piercing?

In the first weeks, limit very hot, very spicy and acidic foods, eat in small bites and rinse your mouth with alcohol-free mouthwash or water after every meal.

Can I wear a ring in a medusa piercing?

Not recommended during healing. A ring moves more and can irritate the hole. You can consider it with your studio after full healing.

Does Cadde Piercing Studio do medusa piercings?

The medusa is currently not a separate item on our price list. For suitability and price, message us on WhatsApp (+90 533 250 01 77) or via our booking page.

Having a problem? If you have signs of infection (increasing pain, warmth, yellow-green discharge, fever), see a doctor without removing the jewellery. For aftercare and jewellery advice, book an appointment or +90 533 250 01 77 call our number.

This content is for general information only and does not replace medical diagnosis or treatment.