⚡ Quick Answer (30 seconds)
- 20+ face piercing placements across 6 zones: nose, brow, cheek, lip, philtrum, ear-facing.
- Pain range: 3/10 (nostril) to 7/10 (cheek). Healing: 2 weeks to 9 months.
- Face shape matters — wider faces work with medusa/bridge; narrow faces look best with nostril/septum.
→ Full placement map, pain/healing chart, and face-shape suitability below.
Facial piercings have exploded since 2020, with more placement options than ever. This guide is your complete face piercing map: every common placement, pain level, healing time, rejection risk, and which facial features work best with which piercings. Whether you’re planning your first or your fifteenth facial piercing, this chart covers everything in one place.
Master Face Piercing Chart
| Placement | Pain | Heal | Gauge | Best for Face Shape |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nostril | 3/10 | 4-6 mo | 20-18G | All faces |
| Septum | 5/10 | 6-8 wk | 16-14G | All faces |
| Bridge | 4/10 | 8-12 wk | 16-14G | Wider face, high nose bridge |
| Anti-bridge (3rd eye) | 5/10 | 12-16 wk | 16G | High forehead, central feature |
| Nasallang | 6/10 | 4-6 mo | 16-14G | Wide nose, symmetric face |
| High nostril | 3/10 | 6-9 mo | 18G | Large nose tip, narrow face |
| Eyebrow (vertical) | 4/10 | 6-8 wk | 16-14G | Prominent brow |
| Horizontal eyebrow | 5/10 | 12-16 wk | 16G | Wide-set eyes |
| Medusa (philtrum) | 5/10 | 2-4 mo | 16G | Full lips, symmetric face |
| Ashley (vertical lower lip) | 5/10 | 2-4 mo | 16-14G | Full lower lip |
| Monroe | 4/10 | 2-3 mo | 16G | Works on most face shapes |
| Madonna | 4/10 | 2-3 mo | 16G | Mirror of Monroe, left side |
| Labret | 4/10 | 2-3 mo | 14-16G | Small faces, soft features |
| Snake bites | 4-5/10 | 2-4 mo | 14G | Wider lips |
| Spider bites | 4/10 | 2-4 mo | 16G | Full lips |
| Angel bites | 4/10 | 2-3 mo | 16G | Full upper lip |
| Dahlia | 5/10 | 2-4 mo | 16-14G | Wider mouth corners |
| Cheek (Joker) | 7/10 | 8-12 mo | 14-12G | Defined cheekbones |
| Smiley (upper frenulum) | 3/10 | 4-8 wk | 18-16G | Everyone (hidden) |
| Tongue web (lower frenulum) | 3/10 | 4-8 wk | 16G | Everyone (hidden) |
✨ Shop All Facial Jewelry
ASTM F-136 titanium jewelry for every facial piercing placement — from nostril studs to cheek barbells.
By Zone
Nose Zone
- Nostril: the classic. Fastest pain, longest heal.
- Septum: through the “sweet spot” at the base of the nose cartilage.
- Bridge: horizontal across the nose bridge (surface piercing).
- High nostril: above the standard nostril placement, near the bridge.
- Nasallang: horizontal through both nostrils and septum — 3-in-1.
Brow Zone
- Vertical eyebrow: standard eyebrow placement.
- Horizontal eyebrow: rare, tricky to heal.
- Anti-eyebrow: surface piercing just below the outer corner of the eye.
- Anti-bridge / Third Eye: vertical surface piercing between the brows.
Lip Zone
- Labret: below lower lip, center.
- Ashley: through the center of lower lip, exits inside mouth.
- Medusa/philtrum: center upper lip dimple.
- Monroe: upper lip, right side (like Marilyn’s mole).
- Madonna: upper lip, left side.
- Snake bites: two labret-position piercings, symmetric on lower lip.
- Spider bites: two close-together piercings on one side of lower lip.
- Angel bites: two piercings mirror to Monroe + Madonna.
- Dahlia: two piercings at the corners of the mouth.
Cheek Zone
- Cheek (Joker): pierced through the cheek, creating dimple effect.
- Dimple piercing: through existing facial dimples.
Oral Zone (Hidden)
- Smiley: upper frenulum (inside upper lip).
- Tongue web: under the tongue.
What Works with Your Face Shape
Oval / Balanced Face
Almost any placement works. Start with nostril or septum; add symmetrically.
Round Face
Central placements (medusa, septum, bridge) enhance vertical lines. Avoid horizontal/dahlia piercings that widen the face visually.
Square / Angular Face
Softer placements work well: Monroe, Madonna, nostril, subtle septum. Bridge and nasallang add drama.
Long / Narrow Face
Horizontal placements (dahlia, snake bites, horizontal eyebrow) visually widen. Large septum rings also work well.
Heart-Shaped Face
Lower-face piercings (Ashley, labret, medusa) balance the narrower chin. Avoid busy bridge area.
General Rules for Multiple Face Piercings
- One at a time, 3+ months apart — multiple fresh piercings overwhelm immune healing
- Balance the face — asymmetric piercings are fine but intentional; random clusters look chaotic
- Consider professional requirements — some jobs allow retainers for nose/lip but not bridge/cheek
- Consult a piercer for design — experienced piercers can mock up combinations before committing
For safety standards, refer to the Association of Professional Piercers (APP).
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the most painful face piercing?
Cheek (Joker) at 7/10 — thick tissue and heavy nerve presence. Nasallang (6/10) and anti-bridge (5/10) follow. Most standard facial piercings are 3-5/10.
What’s the easiest face piercing?
Nostril — 3/10 pain, fast procedure, widely accepted. Smiley (upper frenulum) is also quick at 3/10 and hidden.
Can I get multiple face piercings at once?
Usually no — healing is much harder with multiple fresh wounds. Most piercers recommend one at a time, 3+ months apart. Exception: paired piercings like snake bites or angel bites can be done simultaneously.
Which face piercings are most professional-friendly?
Septum (flipped up into nose) and tongue web are the most hideable. Nostril and medusa can be covered with clear retainers. Bridge, cheek, and eyebrow are always visible.
How much do face piercings cost?
$40-120 per piercing at reputable studios including starter jewelry. Surface placements (bridge, cheek, anti-eyebrow) cost slightly more due to complexity. Budget piercings under $30 use lower-quality tools.
Which face piercings reject most?
Surface piercings (anti-bridge, horizontal eyebrow, anti-eyebrow) reject 40-60%. Perforation piercings (nostril, septum, bridge) have low (<5%) rejection rates.
What’s the difference between a labret and Ashley piercing?
Labret pierces below the lower lip (through the skin below the lip). Ashley pierces through the center of the lower lip itself, exiting inside the mouth.
Can face piercings scar?
Yes, all piercings scar to some degree when removed. Small perforation piercings (nostril, septum) leave tiny dots. Surface piercings leave more visible linear scars. Scars typically fade over 1-2 years.
About the author
Mona Lin — Head of Piercing Education at The Body Rings. APP member, 10+ years professional body piercing experience.