Piercing Smile
Smiley jewellery — thin horseshoes and clickers for the upper lip frenulum. 15 models in stock.
Which shape fits for smiley
Each name opens exactly those.
Titanium or steel for smiley
The material decides how the piercing heals.
Ready-made selections
Already filtered by one parameter.
Other lip piercings
What a smiley is
A ring through the frenulum, the thin web joining the upper lip to the gum. It is only visible when you smile, which is where the name comes from. Healing is fast — often 4–8 weeks — because the tissue is thin and well supplied with blood.
The risk worth knowing before you book it
The jewellery sits directly against the gum and the enamel of the front teeth, and over years it can wear both, or pull the gum back. A thin ring of the right diameter reduces that; nothing removes it. Many people wear a smiley for a while and then retire it — the frenulum closes quickly.
Size
Gauge 1.2 mm, diameter 8 mm for most people. Thicker or larger rings press harder on the gum.
Size and material
| Material | 316L steel — 10 models. Cheaper, corrosion-resistant, suitable for a healed piercing. For the first jewellery titanium is the better choice. Titanium — 5 models. Contains no nickel, so it causes no reaction even in a fresh piercing. Lighter than steel — less load on the tissue. The material of first choice. |
|---|---|
| Thickness | 1.2 mm — 13 models, 1 mm — 3 models, 0.8 mm — 2 models, 1.6 mm — 1 model. The thickness must match the one the piercing was made with. |
| Bar length | 8 mm — 13 models, 10 mm — 12 models, 6 mm — 12 models, 12 mm — 5 models. A longer bar is needed while the swelling lasts, a shorter one — for a healed piercing. |
| Ring diameter | 8 mm — 15 models, 10 mm — 14 models, 12 mm — 13 models, 11 mm — 6 models. A smaller diameter sits tighter, a bigger one — looser and more visible. |
| Thread | External — 9 models, Threadless — 5 models, Internal — 1 model. An internal thread is hidden inside the bar — it does not scratch the channel when changing. |
| Insert | None — 7 models, Cubic zirconia — 1 model. |
FAQ
Which size should I choose?
The typical size for this zone is 1.2 mm thick, diameter 8 mm. Jewellery smaller than needed presses on the channel, bigger — catches on clothes and hair. The exact size of each model is given on its page.
How long does a smiley piercing take to heal?
A smiley heals in 4–8 weeks, but it is one of the least «durable» piercings: the frenulum is thin, and the jewellery may cut through it over time.
Why is titanium better than steel?
Titanium is about half the weight and contains no nickel. 316L steel is also fit for wearing, but there is nickel in it, and people sensitive to nickel feel it. For a fresh piercing titanium is the safer choice.
Can titanium be worn all the time?
Yes. Titanium does not oxidise in contact with lymph and does not change colour, so it is not taken off at night or in the shower. The jewellery is worth removing only for cleaning — and only from a healed piercing: a fresh channel is not left empty.
