Everything you need to know about Monroe Piercing Jewelry

The Monroe piercing on the left side of the upper lip is named after actress Marilyn Monroe. It is in the same location as the classic Monroe mole. Depending on which piercing you choose, a Monroe piercing can be a statement piece or a subtle touch.

What is a Monroe piercing?

The Monroe piercing is visible on the upper left lip, slightly to the left of the philtrum piercing. Because of their association with Marilyn Monroe, they are often seen as more feminine and are usually marked with gemstone studs. Supermodel Cindy Crawford's mole is located in a similar location, reinforcing the association with classic female beauty.

Similar lip piercings

Two styles of piercings in the same places are the Madonna piercing and the philtrum piercing. Madonna's piercing is similar to Monroe's, but is slightly to the right rather than to the left. A philtrum piercing, also known as a medusa piercing, is located in the center of the flesh above the upper lip.

Monroe lip piercings are also often confused with labial piercings. Usually, a labret piercing is located just below the center of the lower lip. However, the term "lip piercing" can refer to all other piercings around the mouth that do not have a specific name, such as the Medusa or Monroe piercing.

You may hear the term Monroe's labret because studs are the most popular choice for many lip piercings. This is because they have longer struts and a flat disc on one side.

History of lip piercing

Evidence of lip piercing dates back centuries. Several indigenous tribes are known to have used lip piercings and other body modifications as a cultural practice.

However, body piercings other than regular ear piercings were not adopted in modern Western society until relatively recently. Lip piercings emerged in the early 1990s as body modification became more popular.

Monroe piercings have gained popularity over the past two decades. One of the turning points was their appearance on celebrities such as Amy Winehouse, for whom lip piercings were part of her signature soulful style.

Our Favorite Monroe Unthreaded Piercing Tips

What gauge is Monroe's piercing?

The standard gauge for Monroe piercings is 16 gauge and typical lengths are 1/4", 5/16", and 3/8". Once the piercing has healed, you will usually move on to piercing the jewelry with a smaller pin. It is extremely important to have a longer post on the initial piercing to leave room for any swelling. Of course, for a lip piercing, the shank will be longer than for many other body piercings because the flesh is thicker at that location.

What kind of jewelry do you use for your Monroe piercing?

The most common piece of Monroe piercing jewelry is the stud earring. The design of the labret differs from the typical earlobe rivet in that the gem is screwed into a flat-backed shaft. This is the best choice for a Monroe piercing because then the flat disc is at the top of the gum rather than at the end of a pointed post.

While labial piercings are the best choice for Monroe piercings, jewelry requires special care after the piercing process. Because the flat back of the jewelry is small and thin, it can trap bacteria on or surround the skin. It is very important to keep your jewelry clean. If you have any concerns, be sure to seek the help of a professional piercer.

Some of the most popular Monroe piercings are small yellow or white gold studs, gemstone studs in various colors and sizes, or even small graphic designs such as a heart or animal shape.

What kind of jewelry should be used for the initial piercing?

Monroe piercing, like any other piercing, should be done by a qualified specialist in a quality piercing studio. Typically, a piercer will pierce your skin with a hollow needle and then immediately insert the jewelry.

Piercing jewelry should always be either 14k gold or surgical titanium. These are the options most likely to prevent infections or cause irritation. Some people are also allergic to other materials, especially nickel, which is a lower quality metal.

Where can I find Monroe piercing jewelry?

There are many brands of cute and quality Monroe piercing jewelry. Some of our favorites are BVLA, Buddha Jewelry Organics and Junipurr Jewelry. BVLA, a Los Angeles-based company, offers a wide range of labial options to decorate the tip of a Monroe piercing. Buddha Jewelry Organics also has lip plugs that slightly elongate the lip piercing area with a unique design. Junipurr jewelry stands out with its many 14k gold body jewelry options, which are sold at affordable prices.

We encourage you to visit our store here at pierced.co. Our flat back titanium lip piercings are ideal for those new to Monroe piercings as well as any other type of lip piercing. You can pair our threadless lip studs with almost any style of rivet.

To make a purchase in most online stores, including ours, you need to know the size of the piercing. We strongly recommend that you have it done by a professional piercer at a reputable piercing studio. If you are in the Ontario area, you can visit any of our offices to have your new piercing sized and view our collection in person.