The “smiley piercing” passes through the upper labial frenulum, the thin fold of tissue connecting the upper lip to the gum line. Tearing of this frenulum is a common and often immediate complication, typically caused by trauma, snagging the jewelry, or the body slowly rejecting the piercing. When this tissue tears, the primary concern is not just the immediate pain and bleeding, but how the tissue will heal and whether it will return to its original state.
Understanding Frenulum Tissue and Tearing
The upper labial frenulum is composed primarily of a mucosal fold with underlying connective tissue, which is a fibrous, collagenous band. Unlike skin on other parts of the body, this tissue is thin and lacks the robust structure of dense connective tissue or muscle, making it highly susceptible to tearing. The frenulum’s structure includes elastic fibers that provide some flexibility.
When a tear occurs, the frenulum does not regenerate the same delicate, thin tissue that was originally present. Instead, the wound heals by a process known as secondary intention, which involves the formation of scar tissue. This healed tissue is often thicker, tougher, and less flexible than the original frenulum. A complete tear may result in the frenulum receding or shortening as the tissue reattaches to the gum or lip at a different point. The formation of this scar tissue permanently alters the anatomy of the piercing site.
Immediate Care and Preventing Further Damage
If the upper labial frenulum tears, the first step is to remove the jewelry immediately to prevent further damage. Bleeding is a common symptom due to the tissue’s vascularity, and it can be controlled by applying gentle, steady pressure to the outside of the lip for several minutes. Avoid pulling the lip out to check the injury, as this can interrupt the initial clotting process and restart the bleeding.
Once the bleeding has stopped, the mouth should be gently rinsed with a sterile saline solution or a mild, non-alcoholic mouthwash to clean the area and minimize the risk of infection. Do not use harsh antiseptics or alcohol-based rinses, as these can irritate the delicate mucosal tissue and delay healing. It is important to monitor the tear for signs of infection, such as increasing redness, swelling, or a foul-smelling discharge. If the tear is extensive or bleeding does not subside after ten minutes of pressure, consulting a dentist or professional piercer for an assessment is advisable.
Healing Outcomes and Possibilities for Repiercing
The torn frenulum heals quickly due to the regenerative nature of oral mucosa, with initial healing occurring within two to four weeks. The resulting tissue at the tear site will be a patch of scar tissue, characterized by a denser, more fibrous composition. This new scar tissue may be noticeably thicker or harder than the original frenulum, or the frenulum may appear shorter because the two torn ends healed separately.
The possibility of repiercing the area is entirely dependent on the stability and thickness of this newly formed scar tissue. If the tissue is robust and has fully integrated, a piercer may be able to place a new piercing slightly above or below the original tear line. However, if the scar tissue is too thin, fragile, or prone to tension, it will likely lead to rapid piercing rejection or another tear. A professional piercer must conduct a thorough assessment of the healed site to determine the viability of repiercing, as attempting to pierce compromised tissue can lead to further damage. The long-term success of a repiercing is lower than the initial piercing because the tissue’s integrity has been fundamentally altered.