Smiley Piercing
A smiley piercing passes through the frenulum, the thin tissue connecting the upper lip to the gums. The jewellery only shows when you smile, making it a fun, subtle option. We pierce with a 16 gauge curved barbell, segment ring or horseshoe, and our SK Certified piercing specialists will check your frenulum before we begin.
- Pain level
- 2 to 3 / 10
- Method
- Needle
- Minimum age:
- 13 years*
- Jewellery type:
- Curved barbell, segment ring or horseshoe View jewellery options
- Downsizing:
- N/A
- Fully healed:
- Minimum 4 months
Two Piercings From $80
Get two of your favourite standard piercings for just $80 when pierced with selected surgical steel jewellery. Read more
Pain is subjective, so treat this as a general guide rather than a guarantee of what you'll feel. Everyone's pain tolerance is different.
* Available: From 13 years with parental consent or 16 years without parental consent. Check our ID & consent requirements here.
What Is A Smiley Piercing?
A smiley piercing passes through the frenulum, the small piece of tissue connecting your upper lip to your gums. Because it sits inside the mouth, the jewellery is only visible when you smile or lift your lip.
Not everyone has enough frenulum tissue for this piercing, so our SK Certified piercing specialists will check your anatomy first. Read more on our piercing info page.
What To Expect
Here's how your experience at SkinKandy unfolds from the moment you arrive.
How We Pierce
We pierce every smiley with a single-use hollow needle, never a piercing gun. Our SK Certified piercing specialists are nurse-trained and certified in infection prevention, so you're looked after from consultation through to aftercare advice. Read more about our approach on our piercing info page.
Choosing Your Jewellery
Every smiley is pierced with a 16 gauge curved barbell, segment ring or horseshoe. Browse our lip jewellery collection to see what's available.
Step By Step: Your Smiley Piercing Experience
- Your piercing specialist will check your frenulum to confirm it suits a smiley placement.
- We pierce with a single-use sterile needle for a clean, precise channel.
- A 16 gauge curved barbell, segment ring or horseshoe is fitted inside the upper lip.
- You'll get full aftercare guidance before you leave, focused on oral hygiene.
BOOK YOUR EXPERIENCE
Find Your Nearest Studio
Ready to book in? Check our age, ID and consent requirements before your visit so you know what to bring.
Nearest studios
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Aftercare
Healing is usually quick for a smiley, but oral hygiene is especially important since it sits inside the mouth.
Your Daily Routine
Stick to a simple daily routine and stock up on the right products from our aftercare collection. For the full step by step, read our aftercare guide.
- Clean with sterile saline twice daily, especially after eating.
- Be mindful of smoking, alcohol and oral hygiene while it heals.
- Avoid poking or playing with the jewellery with your tongue.
When Is It Fully Healed?
A smiley doesn't need downsizing, but full healing takes a minimum of 4 months. Its small size and location mean it usually settles quickly with good oral hygiene.
- Pierced
- Day one
- Downsizing:
- N/A
- Fully healed:
- Minimum 4 months
Jewellery For Your Smiley Piercing
The right jewellery makes all the difference to comfort while your smiley heals, since it sits close to your gums.
Starter Jewellery
We pierce every smiley with a 16 gauge curved barbell in 316L surgical steel, chosen to support healing from day one.
Building Your Stack
Once you're healed, explore our full lip jewellery collection for segment rings and horseshoe styles.
Not Sure What Metal Suits You?
If you're torn between finishes, our guide on silver, rose gold or gold can help, or browse everything by material to compare options.
FAQs
What is a smiley piercing?
A smiley piercing passes through the frenulum connecting the upper lip to the gums, and only shows when you smile.
Does a smiley piercing hurt?
Most people rate it a 2 to 3 out of 10. The frenulum is thin tissue, so it's over quickly. Pain is subjective, so treat this as a general guide rather than a guarantee of what you'll feel. Everyone's pain tolerance is different.
Will everyone's anatomy suit a smiley piercing?
Not everyone has enough frenulum tissue for this piercing. Our SK Certified piercing specialists will check yours at your appointment. See our piercing info page.
How long does a smiley piercing take to heal?
Full healing takes a minimum of 4 months. See the average healing time by piercing type for how it compares.
What jewellery is used for a smiley piercing?
We pierce with a 16 gauge curved barbell, segment ring or horseshoe.
Can a smiley piercing damage my gums?
Because it sits close to the gums, oral hygiene and choosing the right size jewellery both matter. Our piercing specialists will fit it to reduce pressure. See our lip piercing guide for more.
Can I eat normally with a smiley piercing?
Yes, but rinse with sterile saline after eating and be gentle around the piercing while it heals.
Can I get a smiley piercing as part of the two piercings from $80 deal?
Yes, this piercing qualifies for our two piercings from $80 deal when paired with another standard piercing and selected surgical steel jewellery.
Explore More Lip Piercings
A smiley pairs well with other lip placements. Check our lip piercing guide for more on choosing your placement, or explore some of our most popular lip piercings below.
