If you’re looking for your next eye-catching body piercing, you might want to consider the cheek piercing (also called the dimple piercing). This type of facial piercing is done in your cheek and often resembles a dimple, which is why some people refer to it as a dimple piercing. It’s also known as a dermal cheek piercing. This type of piercing is popular because of its prominent placement and ability to mimic or highlight dimples. Below are key facts you should know when deciding whether or not to get a cheek and dimple piercing, including the location, the dimple and cheek piercing procedures, the pain and healing times, jewelry types, and more. Prepare for the ultimate cheek and dimple piercing guide!
Cheek and Dimple Piercing
Cheek and Dimple Piercing Location:
The cheek piercing in the lower portion of the cheek above the mouth, where a dimple would normally go. If you’re someone who naturally has dimples, this is where a cheek piercing would be located.
Cheek and Dimple Piercing Process:
The cheek and dimple piercing is typically done using a 14G or 16G sterilized needle. A cheek piercing can either go through the cheek as a dermal piercing or be done as a surface piercing.
Healing Time:
About 8-12 weeks.
Recommended Cheek and Dimple Jewelry:
Now that you know the basics, let’s dig a little deeper with some popular piercing FAQs and learn more about this stylish body piercing:
Cheek and Dimple Piercing Pain, Healing Times, Piercing Aftercare Tips, and More
How much do cheek piercings hurt?
How much a cheek piercing hurts will vary from person to person depending on their pain level. We advise speaking with a piercing professional regarding pain management so you can be as prepared as possible. To minimize your pain level after getting your dimple piercing, be sure to follow all aftercare instructions.
How long does a cheek piercing take to heal?
Healing times for cheek piercings vary from person to person. Generally, you can expect your dimple piercing to be healed in approximately eight to twelve weeks, but since everyone is different, your body may need a little longer time to heal. Be sure to keep up with the piercing aftercare to avoid risk of infection and other potential side effects.
How do I stop my cheek piercing from swelling?
Because of the location of the cheek piercing, it’s possible that there will be swelling involved. We advise speaking with a professional body piercer about the level of swelling you can expect and your specific healing process. If your cheek piercing starts to feel painful or you’re concerned about swelling, consult your body piercer to find out about next steps. Always make sure to carefully follow the piercing aftercare instructions to ensure your dimple piercing is healing properly.
Can I do a cheek piercing at home?
A cheek piercing shouldn’t be done at home, but by a professional piercer who has the appropriate level of training and experience. A dimple piercing is a complex procedure that should not be taken lightly.
How much does a cheek piercing cost?
Cheek piercing prices vary by city and piercing location. It’s advised that you find a reputable piercer ahead of time and ask them any pertinent questions related to the cost and procedure.
How do I clean my cheek piercing?
Properly caring for your cheek piercing is easy. It’s best to start by cleaning your piercing with H2Ocean piercing aftercare product or saline solution. You can use antibacterial soap and warm water to clean your cheek piercing body jewelry. It’s advised that you speak with your professional piercer for the specifics about aftercare related to your piercing. They may suggest using a sea salt solution on the piercing site to help with piercing healing. For more information, visit our blog post on How to Care for Your Body Jewelry and Body Piercings blog.
How can I make my cheek piercing heal faster?
You will have to be patient with letting your cheek piercing heal at its own pace. Otherwise, you risk the piercing possibly getting rejected or infected if you do not care for it properly. If you decide to get a cheek piercing, you’ll want to be prepared for a possibly longer-than-average healing time. Keep in mind that caring for the piercing is the most important step. Speak with your professional piercer before and after getting your dimple piercing about pain and healing times. Properly caring for your piercing can lower the risk of infection.
Do cheek piercings give you permanent dimples?
While cheek piercings are likely to scar your skin, whether they give you the appearance of dimples will vary depending on the specifics of your skin. You should be prepared for some level of change and possible light scarring to your skin if you get a cheek piercing. Your professional piercer can tell you more about how a cheek piercing is likely to impact your body.
Do cheek piercings last forever?
A cheek piercing can be removed, but as stated above, if you take out your cheek piercing, it’s possible that the area will still show a scar. Speak with a professional piercer before removing your cheek piercings or if you have questions about the removal process.
Are cheek piercings bad for teeth?
Your professional piercer can advise you about how a cheek piercing will impact your teeth. Because this type of oral piercing is likely to go through the inside of your mouth, it’s important to know exactly what to expect in terms of dealing with your cheek piercing on a day-to-day basis. A general rule is that you can expect a cheek piercing will probably rub your teeth or gums at some point. If this is a concern, check with your piercer about the specific placement of your dimple piercing and how your jewelry is likely to affect your teeth and gums. You may also want to speak to your dentist about any potential side effects and concerns regarding the impact on your teeth.
Can you smoke with a cheek or dimple piercing?
Smoking is not advised when you have a dimple piercing, as the nicotine can aggravate the piercing and impede healing. If this may be an issue for you, you may want to look into stopping smoking before getting this type of piercing.
Can everyone get a cheek piercing?
If you’re curious about whether you’re a good candidate for a cheek piercing, it’s best to speak with a professional piercer who can advise you about where exactly on your face a cheek piercing would go, what it would look like on you, and any related factors. Your piercer can give you a dimple piercing either as a dermal piercing, which is also often called a single-point piercing, or as a surface piercing, which has separate entry and exit points. Which type of piercing is right for you is something you can discuss with a professional piercer.
Are cheek piercing risky?
As with any piercing, deciding whether a cheek piercing is risky is a conversation you should have with a professional piercer. They can assess your specific risk factors and advise you about whether a cheek piercing is right for you. Because of its proximity to the parotid gland, a cheek piercing may be a little riskier than an ear piercing, for instance, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get one. You should simply be as informed as possible before making this important decision.
Tragus Piercing Jewelry
What are the types of jewelry for cheek piercings?
The most common types of body jewelry for cheek and dimple piercings are 14G or 16G labret lip rings and straight barbells that are usually 7/16″ up to one inch in length. This jewelry type comes in a wide range of colors so you can best express yourself depending on your preferred jewelry style. You’ll want to make sure you’re using body jewelry that will fit your piercing and that you’re using the right type of straight barbell for cheeks, not something like industrial barbells. Jewelry materials vary depending on the manufacturer and can include surgical steel or other metals. If you’re looking for body sensitive jewelry due to a nickel allergy or sensitive skin, make sure you make that clear to your piercer.
When can I change my cheek piercing jewelry?
After your cheek piercing has fully healed, you can change your jewelry. You’ll need to follow the advice of your piercer and make sure it’s healed completely. Otherwise, you risk infection. If you’re uncertain whether your piercing has healed, consult a piercing professional.
When should I downsize my cheek piercing?
You’ll want to contact a professional piercer to find out exactly when you can change your jewelry. You will likely be able to switch to a different bar size from the initial piercing jewelry once your piercing is healed, but again, it’s best to get confirmation from a piercing professional before making this decision.
Can I get a cheek piercing if I have a nose ring?
A professional piercer can answer your specific questions about piercing placement, but in general, having a nose ring shouldn’t interfere with also getting a cheek and dimple piercing.
Do I have to get both cheeks pierced with a cheek piercing?
While you can get one cheek piercing at a time, for the sake of symmetry, it’s very common for people to get both cheeks pierced.
Can you hide cheek piercings?
Because they’re in such a prominent location on your face, it can be challenging to hide dermal cheek piercings. You can use a clear piercing retainer to try to make your dimple piercing less visible, but it will not be completely hidden.
Now that you have the key information about what a cheek piercing is, the piercing procedure for getting your cheek pierced, and the healing process, you can decide whether this is the right type of piercing for you. If you have further specific cheek piercing questions, ask a piercing professional so you can be totally prepared. If you’re looking for cheek and dimple piercing jewelry or have any other body piercings, check out Spencer’s for our large selection of affordable and varied body jewelry.
Learn More About Body Piercings and Body Jewelry
Want info on other types of body piercings? Read our tongue piercing, nose piercing, lip piercing, facial piercing, and ear piercing guides. We also offer important piercing information in our labret piercing, belly button piercing, medusa piercing, Monroe piercing, and eyebrow piercing guides. Instantly increase your knowledge of piercings!
