Cheek and dimple piercings

What are cheek and dimple piercings?

These piercings involve getting a cheek piercing to create the illusion of a dimple. It can also be a piercing in an actual dimple to accentuate that area.

The piercing will give you the look of dimples, and you can even add a bit of sparkle to make them stand out more. After some time with the piercing, an indentation in the skin that looks like a dimple will actually form. However, this is a scar, not a cute dimple from your childhood.

A complete guide to cheek and dimple piercings

There are many things to consider before opting for a cheek or dimple piercing. It’s not only quite painful but will also leave scars after a short period. It emphasizes your cheeks and dimples, and even after removing the piercing, it will continue to do so, but it won’t look as cute anymore.

You should also think about how you’ll take care of the piercing. Your mouth is full of bacteria, saliva, and food, and all of that will come into contact with your piercing since the cheek piercing goes into the side of your mouth.

You could also risk biting on the piercing and potentially damaging your teeth, which doesn’t look particularly good.

Dermal cheek and dimple piercings

A dermal piercing is similar to a cheek piercing, but there’s a difference in the procedure. It penetrates the skin outside your mouth but doesn’t go directly through the skin into the mouth. It merely pierces the surface of the cheek.

This means you don’t have to worry about healing the skin inside your mouth, and the aftercare process is somewhat easier.

With this type of piercing, you will still get scars on your cheek from the piercing. Since it doesn’t go through the skin to the inside, you won’t get exactly the same dimple look as with a traditional cheek piercing.

Preparing for a cheek and dimple piercing

The first thing you should do when considering getting a cheek and dimple piercing is to choose the right piercer. It’s crucial to find the right person for the job and not just pick the first person you come across.

Your piercer should be a professional with a lot of experience, especially when it comes to cheek and dimple piercings. This is a tricky piercing, so it’s essential that the piercer knows what they’re doing.

Your piercer should examine your mouth both from the outside and the inside to understand the location of the parotid duct and mark it to avoid piercing it. The parotid duct carries saliva into your mouth, and damaging it can lead to various oral issues.

Symmetry is crucial with cheek and dimple piercings because you don’t want them to be on different planes. This would be very noticeable, and once it’s done, there’s nothing you can do about it. Your piercer should mark the spot where the piercing will be placed and use a ruler to ensure both sides are equal.

Before going to your appointment, make sure your face is clean and makeup-free. You should also brush your teeth thoroughly and use mouthwash to ensure there are no bacteria that could cause an infection.

We would also recommend eating something beforehand as it will be uncomfortable to eat for a while after the piercing. Brush your teeth after eating.

Pain during piercing

The pain associated with a cheek and dimple piercing is not too severe, and it has even been said to be tolerable. However, it can be quite painful because you are getting two piercings in one session, and both sides of your face are pierced simultaneously.

There is no cartilage tissue in your cheeks, so you don’t have to deal with that. Most of the pain associated with this type of piercing will be experienced after the procedure.

Your cheeks will swell, and it may be difficult for you to chew or eat and even speak. This will make it difficult to go to work or continue your daily routine, so you should plan for this in advance.

Healing of the piercing

To reduce swelling after a cheek and dimple piercing, you can use a cold pack. This should subside within a week after the procedure. The healing process can take anywhere from a few months to a whole year for the piercing to properly heal.

You should keep in mind that you will have a scar immediately after the piercing. There’s no way around it, and it will be in a very visible location on your face, so you should consider this before getting the piercing

Aftercare

Caring for your cheek and dimple piercing is just as important as with any other piercing. Since this one goes into your mouth, you need to be especially careful with your aftercare.

You should keep the pierced area clean at all times, both on the outside and inside your mouth. You can clean the external side two to three times a day with warm water and a saline solution. Use a cotton swab to clean around the piercing. Do not twist or play with the piercing, as this can cause irritation and infections.

Cleaning inside your mouth is a bit trickier. Here, you’ll need to use a mouthwash made from a saline solution mixed from non-iodized sea salt and distilled water.

Make sure to wash your hands thoroughly before touching the piercing or the skin around it.

Problems with a cheek and dimple piercing

The piercing in your cheek and dimple will be positioned very close to the parotid duct. This duct is responsible for saliva drainage into the mouth, and if it gets damaged, it can lead to many problems. These include dehydration, difficulty swallowing, an increased risk of cavities, and an increased risk of infection.

Symptoms may initially include a dry mouth, followed by a bad taste in the mouth and possibly pus. More serious symptoms include swelling around the jaw or neck. If you notice any of these symptoms after getting a cheek or dimple piercing, you should consult your doctor.

Infections are a risk with these types of piercings. You should minimize the risk by thoroughly cleaning the piercing area and not moving the piercing. It’s tempting to play with it using your tongue, but you shouldn’t do that!

Types of jewelry

The best metal for jewelry with this type of piercing would be surgical steel or titanium. Gold would be another good option. The initial piece of jewelry you should have should be larger and have a longer bar, as it needs to accommodate swelling.

Once the piercing has fully healed, you can look for jewelry that you’d like to wear in it. This can be a small stud, a sparkling gemstone, or even a pendant. You shouldn’t even attempt to insert a ring into this type of piercing; it’s simply not suitable.

Your piercer should be consulted before inserting the jewelry and also regarding the type of backing to be used. There are various backings available, and most people prefer a flat disc backing so that it doesn’t interfere with eating.

Conclusion

Cheek and dimple piercings are relatively new piercings, but they are gaining popularity, especially among younger generations. When done properly, they can look quite cute and accentuate your dimples or give the impression of having dimples.

There are many things to consider before getting them. Most likely, both sides of your face will be pierced simultaneously, so you need to take into account the pain and healing time. You should also think about the scar. There’s no way around it; once the piercing is in, a scar will be visible.

Make sure to inquire with your workplace or school if this will be acceptable. It’s a very visible piercing that can’t be hidden or removed initially, so you should ensure everything is okay on that front.

If you decide to go for it, take proper care of it, and you’ll have great-looking dimples at all times.