Rising Stars of Modern Piercing: the Dimple Piercing

Location: In the natural dimple, or the area of the cheek just outside the smile crease, horizontally aligned with the outer corners of the mouth.

Alternate Names: Dimple piercing, cheek piercing, cheek bites

Piercing: As with most oral piercings, both the inside and outside of the area to be pierced will be cleansed, and then a mark will be made to determine placement. Although dimple piercings are primarily performed in pairs, the piercing of a single “dimple” is not uncommon. In order to lessen healing pain and guard against oral hygiene issues, this type of piercing is generally performed within approximately an inch of the lip corner, or no further back than the first molars.

Aftercare: Due to the constant movement and thickness of the tissue being pierced, dimple piercings may take slightly longer than average to heal, with initial healing closer to the twelve week mark, and total healing occurring after six months and sometimes up to a full year. To ensure proper healing and lessen the risk of migration, a combination of standard and oral aftercare is recommended, often including sea salt soaks or sprays, regular cleanings, and use of special mouthwash after meals. Refraining from smoking, drinking alcoholic beverages, and touching jewelry with the hands is often suggested as well.

Jewelry: Labret/Monroe style studs are most commonly worn for both initial piercing and continued wear, as the flat backing rubs against the teeth and gums less than a standard ball, diminishing the risk of oral health issues. Since the “dimple” area experiences large volume swelling during the initial healing phases, an extra long post of between 3/4″ to 1″ is generally worn initially, then changed out afterwards for a shorter length.

Prevalence: Dimple piercing is one of the least common piercings performed around the mouth and cheek area, and is worn primarily by females. In fact in general, women in the United States are approximately three times as likely as men to get a facial piercing. Some who decide on a dimple piercing are never intending to keep the piercing permanently, and want only to use piercing of the cheek to create an artificial dimple where one is lacking. This may be possible through either scarring, or minor nerve damage causing the cheek to indent.