The Dimple Piercing is among the most talked-about body modification, not just because it’s a new method but because of how it accentuates a feature beautifully. Many have tried the method and to provide you accurate information about it, let us discuss all areas connected to dimple piercing and help you come up with the right decision and information regarding the dimple piercing.
Dimple Piercing is also referred to as cheek piercing. If a cheek piercing has been done appropriately by a reputable person who has adequate experience, it can actually create an illusion that a person has dimples. However, it is not an assurance as it also varies depending on the skin reaction and face.
Dimple Piercings Inspiration
To entice your interest, we have consolidated photos of dimple piercing from Pinterest so as to help you decide what type of jewelry you want to use.
….and here’s something draconian!
Joel Miggler, 23 years old, has taken dimple piercing to another level and that is by literally creating holes on both sides of his cheeks!
Dimple Piercing Procedure
The dimple piercing may be painful, depending on the person’s pain tolerance. Usually, a piercer does not use any topical anesthesia. However, if you have very low pain tolerance, you can ask to have it applied, of course with an additional charge, to alleviate the pain. There are over-the-counter anesthetic creams that should be applied to your cheek area at least 20 minutes before the procedure.
You will be asked to brush your teeth and to gargle mouthwash or saline solution to ensure that your mouth is well-cleaned and doesn’t get infected. Your face, particularly the area of perforation should also be washed using an antiseptic soap. A thorough cleaning should never be skipped as bacteria can cause severe infection that may aggravate the condition of the perforated area.
Tools that will be used during the dimple piercing procedure should be cleaned and sterilized to make sure that these do not house any life-threatening microorganisms. Always make sure that your chosen piercer is very precise with the proper handling of his tools.
A surgical thong will be used to move your cheeks so as to have ample space to get through the insides. It will also support your cheeks to ensure that the needle will not slide off during the dimple piercing.
A new needle must be used to penetrate the muscle and tissue on your cheeks. The piercer should do the procedure carefully to ensure that your salivary glands, especially the parotids, will not be punctured as it will be damaged, halting the production of saliva.
Ideally, a labret or a barbell stud that is big enough should be used. Blood will be taken off using cotton soaked in saline solution.
Dimple Piercing Costs
There isn’t an average price for a dimple piercing, all stores have a different range in prices and it can also depend on the area you live in. An average dimple piercing would be around $50 in the United States with high-quality jewelry and then of course factor in a tip of about 10-15%.
In Europe, you will pay on average around €40. Find a reputable piercer in your area, call them and ask for the prices of a dimple piercing.
Choosing the Right Dimple Piercing Jewelry
Dimple jewelry is being provided by the piercer and is usually included in the package. However, there are several shops that offer wonderfully designed jewelry to completely accentuate your dimples.
The chosen dimple jewelry should be at least 16mm to 18mm long. In some cases, the perforated area swells, not just because of an infection but as a reaction of the muscles and tissues underneath. If this happens, a small stud will not be enough to move around, affecting the healing process.
Big studs will give ample spaces so that it can move easily in spite of the inflammation. When the pierced area is completely healed, you can now replace the jewelry with something more stylish.
Just make sure that you do not do remove your dimple piercing alone, as the skin inside your mouth heals fast and it may close in just a few hours after removing it when not placing the jewelry right away.
Finding the Right Dimple Piercer
Visiting several piercers can also help you in coming up with the right decision. You can ask them how they do it and assess whether their tools are properly cleaned and sterilized.
Finding the right piercer who has adequate skills and knowledge should be on top of your priorities once you have decided to have dimple piercing. In order for you to assess who should be trusted, you have to do some rigid research.
You can ask someone who has gone through the procedure or checks reviews on the internet. We always recommend verifying if the piercer is a member of the Association of Professional Piercers. You can locate any member of the APP here.
It is your right to know how they handle the entire procedure and seek answers for safety precautions. Take note that if the tools are not well-taken care of, you and the piercer can get life-threatening diseases and infections.
Common Problems Related to Dimple Piercing
Several problems that should not be taken for granted may arise if improper dimple piercing has been done. Here are some common problems that a person may have to face if he has not consulted a skilled and knowledgeable piercer:
- Excruciating pain. Dimple piercing could possibly be painful especially if done carelessly. Please take note that there are local anesthetics with antibacterial ingredients that can ease the pain during the procedure. Our face has several nerves and muscles that are very painful to penetrate; therefore, such products should be used at least 20 minutes before the procedure so as to numb the area thoroughly.
- Damaged parotid glands. These are two important glands found inside the mouth, on the cheek area. If these are damaged due to improper dimple piercing, a person’s saliva secretion will be seriously affected, either by excessive or halted production. Both negative impacts can cause an infection that should be escalated to a doctor.
- All types of piercings leave scars. Once a person has decided that he doesn’t want her piercing anymore, no matter what his reasons are, he or she should be prepared to face such an unpleasant issue. The severity of the scar actually depends on the person’s skin reaction. It looks worst if the person is a keloid former. As per professional surgeons, there are no proven products that have the capabilities of improving these scars no matter how long these are applied. Surgery may be a good option to improve the appearance, but it will not completely diminish the scars. Also, please take note that if you will opt for surgery, a “new scar” will only cover the dimple piercing scar, creating an acceptable appearance compared to how it used to.
- You have to understand that your newly pierced dimples should be thoroughly cleaned to prevent any infection. One example is Sialadenitis. A condition wherein a lump grows in the cheek area, usually on or near the piercing, leading to strong or foul-smelling pus accompanied by fever and pain.
- When your body thinks that there is a “foreign object” that can affect your wellness, or if the chosen jewelry is incompatible with you, it goes through rejection. In dimple piercing, your body will reject the jewelry by pushing it off your skin. This leads to scarring.
- Some people have the habit of fiddling and playing with their jewelry using their tongue and teeth. Because of that, migration occurs wherein the jewelry’s initial position is shifted to another area. Usually, it is not accompanied by pain, discomfort, and inflammation.
If you experience any of these, it is best to visit your piercer once again and have it checked. However, if it is an infection, you should also pay a visit to the doctor so as to ensure that you will receive the right medication for fast and proper recuperation.
Dimple Piercing Aftercare
Dimple piercing heals for several months, usually, the dimple piercing healing time is 2 to 8 months, depending on how much you follow the appropriate precautionary measures that are needed to heal the perforated area. Below are some aftercare tips that should be taken seriously so as to alleviate the pain and to hasten the healing process.
Dimple Aftercare Instructions
- Step One
Mix 1 tablespoon of salt to a half glass of water. Soak cotton on and dab it on the pierced area for at least 5 minutes. Do it at least twice a day while it’s healing. This is a very effective disinfectant to ensure that the bacteria are eliminated, thus, an infection will not occur. For the first 2 to 3 weeks, use a saline solution in cleaning the outside part of your piercing. - Step Two
In cleaning the inside portion, rinse with a non-alcoholic mouthwash. Rinse your mouth after each meal. - Step Three
Avoid drinking alcohol or smoking while you are still in the healing period, - Step Four
Do not submerge your piercing in the water. - Step Five
Avoid swimming and kissing. - Step Six
Avoid eating spicy foods in order to avoid irritation. - Step Seven
When washing your face, use only a mild antibacterial soap most especially on the dimple piercing.
Suggested Aftercare Products For Dimple Piercing
We know the aftercare process for dimple piercings can be confusing. Choosing the right products for the job is extremely important. Here are some of our favorite dimple piercing aftercare products for your review:
H2Ocean Arctic Ocean Mouthwash
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Avoid using a mouthwash that contains alcohol since it can delay the healing process. The best option is to rinse your mouth with H2Ocean Arctic Ocean Mouthwash. Use this alcohol-free mouthwash after getting your dimple piercing. It has no harsh chemicals and can kill the bacteria inside your mouth. H2Ocean Arctic Ocean Mouthwash contains Sea Salt, Xylitol, and Lysozyme.
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Dr. Piercing Aftercare Swabs
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In case crusties (dried lymph) emerged around your cheek piercing jewelry, then you should avoid twisting, turning or sliding your studs. The best thing to do is drench these crusties with a saline wash in order to soften them. Next, wipe them away using a clean Dr. Piercing Aftercare cotton swab.
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Recovery Piercing Aftercare Tea Tree Oil
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The source of this Australian tea tree oil is the melaleuca tree. This is the best piercing aftercare since it can soothe, sanitize, and heal your piercing quickly. Just add a few drops of tea tree oil to your saline solution and apply this on your piercing, at least two to three times a day.
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Benefits of Tea Tree Oil
- This tea tree oil can effectively heal different types of ear and body piercings.
- It can work well on most people, however, it’s best if you can test it first on a small area.
- Abnormal bumps can occur. If this happens, use tea tree oil in dehydrating and eliminating these bumps.
- Since tea tree oil is a natural antiseptic then it can effectively moisturize your skin and prevent any scars and swelling.
Recovery Piercing Aftercare Spray
[amazon fields=”B00MBYAPD0″ value=”thumb” image_size=”large” image_alt=”Piercing Aftercare Saline Spray”]
This purified saline aftercare can effectively cleanse, rinse, and refresh all types of piercings. It is made of natural ingredients and can be used for external and internal. It can give you a soothing feeling. The saline spray can heal and protect your dimple piercing effectively by eliminating any dirt and debris.
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Tips For Taking Care of Your Dimple Piercing
- Choose the right jewelry. As mentioned earlier, there should be ample space around as short jewelry can affect the wound and might go into the inner cheek area as it heals. It can also lead to migration and rejection. You can always change it afterward once the wound has completely healed.
- Always follow proper oral hygiene to prevent any gum and cheek infection. Brush your teeth at least 3 times a day as bacteria buildup can cause serious infection. When the wound is still fresh, make sure that you do it carefully; making sure that your brush does not hit the jewelry or the perforated area.
- Change the jewelry if it’s too big as continuous bumping on the teeth can crack them.
- Avoid tugging and fiddling your jewelry.
Dimple Piercing FAQ
We know you probably still have questions. To help you out, we have included some of our readers’ most frequently asked dimple piercing questions below. We hope these will help you navigate this subject a little easier than before!
Do dimple piercings give you dimples?
The scars that dimple piercings leave do give the appearance of having dimples. This is most obvious when the jewelry is taken out of the piercing area. However, you are able to tell while it is still in.
Are dimple piercings dangerous?
There are several nerves in the area where a dimple piercing is placed. The piercing itself is not considered dangerous, but the piercing process is. Make sure that you only employ licensed professionals to pierce you at all times. It could be the difference between a safe experience and a disaster for you.
Do dimple piercings hurt?
Many people report that the pain of getting a dimple piercing is on the lower end of the scale. Most of the pain tolerance goes along with having to get two done at once. It will also depend on what size needle your piercer uses. In most cases, it will be a 16G or 18G needle.
How much do dimple piercings cost?
The price varies based on region and shop. Most often, the price will range between $40-$50. Always make sure that you are getting pierced at a professional shop with a sterile environment. You may pay a bit more for this setting, but it is well worth the money in the long run.
Dimple Piercing Final Thoughts
Dimple piercings are surely a wonderful body modification but before you decide, make sure that you are physically and emotionally ready to go through probable complications and negative impacts that go with it. Visit a renowned piercer so as to lessen probable chances of problems if improper dimple piercing has been done.
Hello! My name is Emily and I obsessed with piercings (and tattoos) since I was a little girl of 6 years old. I was fortunate enough to make my passion my work after meeting my amazing husband Jeffrey who owned his own tattoo shop. I just recently finished my internships at some of America’s most famous piercing shops and a dream to start something together was born. After falling in love with each other (and each other’s piercings and tattoos) we decided to expand his tattoo shop and I got to manage my own piercing shop in the same space! I’ve never been so happy being able to share my love for piercings through my shop and this blog I started back in 2013. We love to share models and inspiration, so feel free to email me your suggestions, pictures or if you just want to say hi!