Slide image
Diagram of oral piercing locations on a person's face with labels.
Slide image
Diagram of oral piercing locations on a person's face with labels.

Jestrum Piercing

A Jestrum piercing passes through the center of the upper lip — entering at the base of the philtrum and exiting at the front surface of the upper lip, with both ends of a curved barbell visible on the outside of the face. It is the upper lip counterpart to a vertical labret, and one of the rarer, more considered placements in facial piercing.

What makes the Jestrum distinctive is the vertical path through the lip itself. Both beads show — one nestled at the base of the philtrum, one sitting at the front of the upper lip ’s curve. The result is dimensional and precise, with a symmetry that depends entirely on the placement being exactly right. A Jestrum that is centered and well-angled reads as architectural. One that is off, even slightly, is immediately apparent.

This is not a widely offered piercing, and that is partly because it demands a level of anatomical assessment and technical precision that not every studio is set up to provide. The upper lip is shallower than the lower, with less tissue to work with, more visible vascularity in many clients, and a placement path that has to account for the natural curve of the philtrum as well as the lip itself.

At Stacked, we assess your anatomy before anything is marked. We look at the depth and projection of your upper lip, the shape of your philtrum, and the position of any underlying blood vessels before committing to a placement. If a Jestrum is the right fit for your anatomy, we will design it with the care this placement requires. If it is not — if the anatomy makes it inadvisable — we will tell you clearly and talk through what else might work in that area of your face.

Why Stacked Piercing?

Why a Jestrum piercing at Stacked?

Because this is one of the most anatomy-dependent facial piercings we offer, and anatomy-led is exactly how we work.

The Jestrum is not a piercing every studio will attempt, and for good reason — the upper lip offers less tissue, more variables, and a narrower margin for accurate placement than most facial piercings. We assess all of it before anything is marked, guide you through jewelry that supports healing from the start, and stay with you through the process. That is what The Stacked Method™ is built around.

Why Placement Matters More Here

The Jestrum exits at the front surface of the upper lip, centered on the philtrum. Both ends are visible. That means centering has to be exact, the angle has to follow the lip’s natural curve without pulling at either end, and the barbell has to be sized so that both beads sit flush against the face rather than lifting away from the tissue.

The upper lip’s shallower tissue also means there is less room to work with than a vertical labret on the lower lip — which is why not every anatomy supports this placement. We will tell you honestly what yours can hold.

Cost + Age Requirements

Jestrum Piercing Fees: $70

Age Requirement: 15+

Appointment Length: 30 Minutes

Upon booking your appointment, the piercing fee is due in full.

The piercing fee does not include the cost of jewelry.

We have options across a range, from just getting started to more elevated pieces. You can browse a few options in our Lookbook.

We pierce Jestrum piercings with 16g ASTM F136 implant-grade titanium curved barbells, with initial sizing typically falling around ⅜” (10mm) to 7/16” (11mm), but may differ depending on your upper lip’s projection and tissue depth..

The curved barbell is the only appropriate jewelry type for a Jestrum. Its arc has to follow the natural curve of the upper lip so that both ends sit flush against the face rather than pulling away from the tissue or creating pressure at the entry and exit points. Straight barbells and flat back posts are not suitable for this placement.

Initial sizing leaves room for swelling while keeping the jewelry close enough to the lip that it does not create excess movement during healing. Once the piercing is fully healed, decorative options expand — both ends of the barbell can carry gems, opals, or other threadless tops for a more intentional, finished look.

Jestrum Piercing Process

Jestrum piercing process


We begin with a careful assessment of your upper lip — its curve, its projection from the face, the shape of your philtrum, the position of any visible vascularity, and how jewelry will sit along the vertical axis of the lip. The upper lip has less tissue than the lower, which means the assessment here is particularly important. We take our time with the marking before anything is confirmed.

Once placement is marked and approved together, the piercing is done with a needle. A receiving tube or cork may be used to support the tissue and guide the needle accurately through the lip. Jewelry is then guided carefully into place. Precise and unhurried from start to finish.

What Makes a Jestrum Different

Most upper lip piercings — Monroes, Madonnas, Medusas — use a flat back post with only the decorative top visible on the outside of the face. The Jestrum is different. Like a vertical labret on the lower lip, it is a through-lip piercing using a curved barbell, with both ends sitting on the exterior of the face.

That through-lip path changes everything about how the piercing is placed, how it heals, and what jewelry it takes. The curved barbell has to follow the natural arc of the upper lip precisely. The entry point at the base of the philtrum and the exit at the lip’s front surface have to be aligned so that both visible ends read as intentional and centered. There is no adjusting this after the fact.

The Jestrum also has no internal disc sitting against the teeth and gums — unlike the Ashley or a standard labret — which removes one variable from the healing equation. Both ends are external. That is one of the reasons some clients prefer it over a Medusa for an upper lip centerpiece: the hardware all lives on the outside.

Jestrum vs. Medusa

These two piercings share the same location — centered on the upper lip, at or just above the philtrum — but they are not the same piercing. A Medusa uses a flat back post with only the decorative top visible at the base of the philtrum. A Jestrum passes through the lip itself, with both ends of a curved barbell visible on the outside.

The Medusa is the more common choice because it is a simpler placement with a longer track record of predictable healing. The Jestrum is rarer, more dimensional, and more anatomy-dependent. Both require careful placement and honest anatomy assessment. Which makes sense for you depends on your anatomy, the look you are building, and what your upper lip can actually support.

We will talk through both at your appointment if you are considering either.

A Note on Longevity

Like all through-lip piercings, Jestrums carry a higher likelihood of migration or rejection over time than piercings anchored in cartilage or deeper tissue. The upper lip’s shallower tissue makes this a more pressing consideration than with a vertical labret on the lower lip.

Careful placement, the right jewelry from the start, and consistent aftercare significantly improve long-term outcomes. We will be honest with you about what your anatomy supports and what realistic expectations look like over time. A Jestrum placed well and cared for properly can last for years. One placed hastily or in anatomy that does not support it rarely does.

Spa-like environment

Expert, state-licensed piercing professionals

Support for proper healing

14k solid gold + implant grade titanium

Need to cancel?

We get it, life happens. If you cancel at least 24 hours before your appointment, your piercing fee will be refunded in full.

Questions? Give us a call or email us at 815-782-2533 support@stackedpiercing.com.

Jestrum Piercing

$70.00

Jestrum Piercing Information

Slide image

Pain Level 5-7/10

The Jestrum passes through the upper lip itself, which involves more tissue than an above-the-lip placement like a Medusa. Most clients find it more noticeable than a standard upper lip piercing. The sensation is brief, and the tenderness that follows settles over the first several days. The upper lip can swell more visibly than the lower in the first 48 to 72 hours, which is normal and temporary.

 
Slide image

Jestrum Piercing Healing Timeline

Healing Time: 3-6+ months

Jestrum piercings heal on a similar timeline to vertical labrets, though the upper lip’s shallower tissue and higher expressive movement can make the process feel less linear. Swelling in the first week tends to be more pronounced than with a standard above-the-lip piercing. Even after things feel settled on the surface, the internal tissue continues to heal.

Mindful eating habits, avoiding unnecessary pressure on the lip, and consistent aftercare make a real difference here. We will walk you through everything so you know what to expect and what to protect throughout the process.

 
Slide image

Downsizing

A piercing starts in the studio, but the healing process is each client's responsibility and can’t happen here. At Stacked, we require our clients to come back in for a six-week checkup. This way, we can help troubleshoot any concerns you may have, take a peek at the healing piercing, and give advice as needed.

Once swelling resolves, a barbell that is too long creates unnecessary movement at both ends of the piercing — which is a more significant issue for a through-lip placement than for a standard labret.

Because upper lip tissue varies, the right timing for any adjustment depends on how the piercing is settling. We will assess both entry and exit points at the six-week appointment and adjust if the fit calls for it.

 

Piercing Aftercare

What to do, what to look out for, and when to contact us.

Slide image

Keep It Simple

  • Wash your hands before touching it
  • Clean with sterile saline while healing
  • Dry gently with clean disposable products
  • Do not twist, spin, or rotate the jewelry
  • Avoid sleeping on that side
  • Avoid pressure from headphones, helmets, hats, or phones when possible
  • Don’t change the jewelry early
  • Don’t use alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, ointments, or harsh cleansers
  • Our bodies heal the piercings; saline just keeps it clean. Anything else can be irritating since it’s an open wound

Slide image

Normal Healing Signs

During healing, it’s normal to have:

  • Mild swelling
  • Tenderness
  • Some crusting
  • Occasional redness after being bumped or cleaned
  • A piercing that feels fine one day and slightly irritated the next

APP guidance notes that some bleeding, swelling, tenderness, bruising, itching, and whitish-yellow discharge that dries into crust can all be part of normal healing.

Slide image

When to check in

Reach out if you have:

  • Increasing pain instead of gradual improvement
  • Significant swelling that doesn’t settle
  • Jewelry that feels too tight
  • Embedding concerns
  • Heat, spreading redness, or discharge that seems unusual
  • A bump that keeps getting worse

Cancellations

If you cancel within 24 hours of your appointment, your deposit will be kept and treated as the cancellation fee. If you cancel before the 24 hour window, your piercing fee will be refunded in full.

Rescheduling

Need to move your appointment? You can reschedule without a fee as long as it’s more than 24 hours in advance. There will be a link to reschedule in your appointment confirmation email.

Late Arrivals + Documentation

Arriving more than 5 minutes late or not having the required documentation will be treated as a cancellation, and your deposit will be retained. If you’re running late, call us 815-782-2533 — if availability allows, we may be able to move you to a later time.