Lip frenulum piercing

A lip frenulum piercing is a body piercing through the frenulum of either the upper or lower lip. A piercing through the upper lip frenulum is sometimes called a scrumper, or a smily, because it can be visible when the wearer smiles. Opposingly, the piercing through the lower lip frenulum is sometimes referred to as a frowny.

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Such piercings, anatomy permitting, are relatively simple procedures. Healing time is typically six to eight weeks.^[1] Rinsing with an antibacterial mouthwash three or four times a day helps with the healing process; those with new piercings should also avoid smoking, alcohol, and spicy foods until the piercing site is fully healed.^[2]

Jewelry

Jewelry for piercings should meet the following requirements:^[3]

• The jewelry should be removable; for example, one ball on the end of barbell-style jewelry could be unscrewable.
• The jewelry should allow for full cleaning of the piercing site.
• The surface of the jewelry should be free of nicks, scratches, or jagged surfaces that might damage the piercing site.
• The jewelry should be the right thickness: if its too thin, it can tear through the site, while excessively thick jewelry can cause an abscess, a cyst, or the formation of scar tissue.
• The jewelry should be made from nonallergenic metals; in new piercings, only surgical stainless steel, and alloys with gold, platinum, niobium, or titanium should be used. Both nickel- and brass-plated jewelry should be avoided.

Both ring and barbell style jewelry can be worn in these piercings. Usually the jewelry worn in these piercings is low gauge, as there is not much tissue to pierce or stretch, and larger gauge jewelry may be more likely to damage the teeth and gums. Captive bead rings are more common as they provide more visibility than a barbell.^{[citation needed]}

History and culture

Both variations on this piercing are of contemporary origin. Although they are known to have existed prior, first documented photograph^{[citation needed]} of an upper lip frenulum piercing was an image of body modification practitioner Steve Haworth in a German magazine in the mid 90's.

References

1. ^ Body piercing healing time from the NYU Medical Center website
2. ^ Home Treatment after Piercing from the NYU Medical Center website
3. ^ Appropriate jewelry for body piercing sites from the NYU Medical Center website