Your upper lip is a tender area with many nerve endings all in one small location. That being said, a medusa or philtrum piercing will typically hurt more than cartilage piercings do. Everyone’s threshold for pain is different, so some find the experience to be more of a minor pain than others. It will indeed hurt for several seconds, and some general throbbing will occur in the days immediately following the procedure. Over the first few weeks, the pain will reduce with the swelling.
If pain persists and the piercing site becomes exceedingly tender, red, and experiences a lot of discharge, it may be infected. An infection in a new piercing is serious, and must be addressed by a professional ASAP to avoid losing the piercing or causing permanent damage.
There are several types of lip and mouth piercings that can cause damage to the teeth and gums when done improperly. Thankfully, through care and attention by a trusted piercer, these negative side effects can be completely avoided. Without a professional’s touch, an improperly placed philtrum piercing can cause gum erosion and tooth decay. For this reason and more, it is exceedingly important to book with only seasoned professionals in the piercing industry.
Beyond the initial piercing, you should have a consultation with your piercer once healing is complete. They will check to ensure no harm is being caused by the jewelry, and may swap it out for something shorter once swelling has receded.
Like most mouth and lip piercings, philtrum / medusa piercings experience a fair amount of swelling during the first phase of recovery. This can make regular meals more difficult, and it is recommended that you take some precautions with food choices during aftercare.
In the beginning days of your new piercing, opt for eating soft foods whenever possible. Extreme temperatures and spicy foods will make the piercing sensitive and can lead to irritation. Cold food and beverages are recommended to help reduce the initial swelling. Slowly take small bites when you do eat something more solid, and avoid foods that will stick to your piercing site, like oatmeal.
