Laura Ljaze
Body Piercing

The smiley piercing passes through the upper frenulum, which attaches the lip to the gums. Perfect for anyone seeking a 'secret' piercing, the smiley piercing is generally only visible when you smile (Hence the name). It's important to remember that on some people, this piercing is always out of sight (No matter how broadly you smile!) and will only be visible if you physically lift up your lip with your finger. For others, the edge of this oral piercing may be visible whenever you open your mouth and as a result, would be very prominent when smiling. Personal anatomy can make the appearance of this piercing vary dramatically. 

Will it Hurt? Most recipients of this piercing report feeling little to no pain, the tissue is so thin and fragile in this area that people agree its not a painful piercing. Piercing is actually very tolerable, with the majority of people reporting it to feel like 'a sharp pain and stinging sensation' that lasts just a second. It is assumed that the rush of adrenaline and endorphins are what helps customers cope with pain from piercings plus the fact that they are very quickly over. However, each individual experiences pain differently, so it is impossible to say with certainty just how much your piercing may or may not hurt.

Healing: As with all oral piercings, there is a danger of gum erosion and tooth decay unless you keep an eye on what your piercing is doing to the surrounding area inside your mouth.  It's not recommended to not get this piercing if you have braces or intend to get them in the near future, as the jewellery may get caught on the metalwork, posing a risk for injury or tearing. Although the Smiley piercing heals relatively quickly (Around 4-6 weeks), this piercing can be prone to rejection and migration. This is typically due to anatomical restrictions such as Thinner frenulum tissue, which your piercer will make you aware of prior to carrying out the piercing.  Placement is crucial for this piercing, the proximity of the jewellery to teeth and gums can lead to irritation and tooth/gum erosion if not considered by a experienced piercer.

When caring for your Smiley piercing, ensure that you:

• Avoid smoking, alcohol or spicy foods initially so as not to irritate the piercing whilst it heals.
• Maintain proper oral hygiene (Cleaning your teeth twice a day, flossing etc).
• Avoid playing with your jewellery. 
• Clean your piercing twice a day 
• Use a gentle mouthwash or saltwater soaks to maintain good dental hygiene
• Refrain from touching the piercing to allow the tender tissue to heal and to reduce the risk of inflammation and pain.
• The jewellery must be kept in at all times or you can risk the piercing closing over.

You can dramatically reduce your risk of any problems by following this advice.

Jewellery: Body jewellery for a Smiley piercing usually involves a circular barbell. All of Our Titanium Body Jewellery is made from Ti6-Al4-V ELI Medical Grade Titanium, the only grade conforming to ISO 5832-3:1996 and comes from UK suppliers direct, only the best available for our clients.  

DISCLAIMER: Each body is unique and healing times vary considerably. If you have any questions, please contact your Piercer. These guidelines are based on a combination of vast professional experience, common sense, research and extensive clinical practice. This is not to be considered a substitute for medical advice from a doctor.