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

Medusa Piercing

A Medusa piercing sits at the center of the upper lip, in the philtrum — the vertical groove that runs between the nose and the lip. It is one of the most centered, most symmetry-dependent placements in facial piercing. When it is positioned well, it reads as completely intentional. When it is off, even by a couple of millimeters, it is one of the harder placement errors to overlook.

The Medusa is technically a labret-style piercing. It uses a flat back post, sits in soft tissue, and heals through a process that is affected by daily movement — eating, talking, expression. But because it sits directly on the philtrum, placement is shaped by something beyond just tissue depth: it is shaped by your specific facial geometry. The width of your philtrum, the curve of your upper lip, and the way the surrounding features frame that central point all factor into where the piercing should actually sit.

At Stacked, we assess your anatomy and facial proportions before anything is marked. We look at the shape of your philtrum, your tissue depth, and the position of any visible vascularity before we commit to placement. If the anatomy supports a Medusa, we design the placement around your face — not a standard center point. If something needs to be adjusted to suit your anatomy, we will tell you clearly and explain why. That conversation is part of what we do.

Why Stacked Piercing?

Why a Medusa piercing at Stacked?

Because a piercing this centered, this visible, this dependent on proportion deserves to be designed — not just placed.

We look at your philtrum, your facial geometry, and your tissue before anything is marked. We take the time with the marking that a centered placement requires. And we stay with you through healing so the result actually holds. That is what The Stacked Method™ is built around.

Why Placement Matters More Here

The Medusa sits at the exact center of the upper lip. There is no off-center or asymmetrical reading to hide behind — it is either centered or it is not. What reads as centered on your face is shaped by your philtrum width, your lip curve, and the surrounding features, not just a measurement to the midpoint. Getting that right requires looking at the face as a whole, not just the tissue in front of you.

That design thinking is what separates a Medusa that looks like it belongs from one that always seems slightly wrong. We take the time to find the right placement because the alternative is a piercing that never quite sits the way it should.

Cost + Age Requirements

Medusa 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 Medusa piercings with 16g ASTM F136 implant-grade titanium flat back posts with threadless push-pin tops. Initial post length typically falls around 7/16” (11mm) or 1/2” (13mm) depending on your tissue depth and any initial swelling.

Flat back posts are the standard for Medusa piercings because the flat internal disc sits comfortably against the inner lip tissue, reducing pressure and unnecessary movement during healing. Threadless push-pin tops are secure, low-profile, and easy to change once the piercing is fully healed.

Initial sizing accounts for swelling while keeping the jewelry close enough to the tissue that it does not move more than it needs to. Once healing is complete, the decorative top can be changed to a range of styles — from simple flat discs to gems, opals, and more statement pieces. A well-healed Medusa is one of the more versatile piercings to dress up or down.

Medusa Piercing Process

Medusa piercing process

We begin by examining your philtrum — its width, depth, and symmetry, the shape of your upper lip, the position of any visible vascularity, and how jewelry will sit centered on your face. The marking conversation for a Medusa is as important as the piercing itself. Centering is not just a matter of measuring to the midpoint — it is a matter of reading what actually looks centered on your specific face, which is not always the same thing.

Once placement is marked and approved together, the piercing is done with a needle. Some piercers work freehand; others use forceps depending on anatomy and what produces the most accurate result. Jewelry is guided carefully into place. Calm, precise, and unhurried from start to finish.

What Makes a Medusa Different

The Medusa is the most centered upper lip piercing available. It sits at the exact midpoint of the philtrum, which means symmetry is the defining quality of a well-placed one. It is also one of the most face-forward piercings we offer — the decorative top sits at the center of the upper lip area, framed by the philtrum columns, and draws the eye directly to it.

That visibility is part of what makes it appealing. It is also part of what makes placement precision non-negotiable. A Medusa that is off-center, placed too high or too low in the philtrum, or angled incorrectly is something you — and everyone looking at you — will notice. There is no visual margin for approximation here.

Because only the decorative top is visible on the outside of the face, the Medusa reads as cleaner and more minimal than through-lip piercings like the Jestrum or vertical labret. It is the most common upper lip centerpiece placement for good reason: it is precise, wearable, and heals more predictably than its through-lip counterparts.

Medusa vs. Jestrum

Both piercings are centered on the upper lip at the philtrum, but they are not the same. A Medusa uses a flat back post with only the decorative top visible above the lip line. A Jestrum passes through the upper lip itself, with both ends of a curved barbell visible on the outside of the face.

The Medusa is more common and generally heals more predictably. The Jestrum is rarer, more dimensional in appearance, and more anatomy-dependent due to the through-lip path. If you are considering both, we will look at your anatomy and talk through which makes more sense for your lip and the look you are building.

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.

Medusa Piercing

$70.00

Medusa Piercing Information

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Pain Level 3-6/10

The philtrum is soft tissue, which tends to make the Medusa more manageable than through-lip or cartilage piercings. Most clients describe a sharp, brief moment of sensation followed by some tenderness and mild swelling in the first few days. The upper lip can swell more than expected in the first 24 to 48 hours — this is normal and temporary. Individual experience varies based on anatomy and personal threshold.

 
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Medusa Piercing Healing Timeline

Healing Time: 3-4+ months

Medusa piercings heal on a similar timeline to other labret-style piercings. The tissue is in regular motion throughout the day, which means consistent aftercare and avoiding unnecessary contact with the jewelry both matter. Even when the piercing looks and feels settled on the surface, the internal tissue may still be working through the process. We will give you realistic expectations from the start so nothing feels surprising along the way.

 
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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.

Because the philtrum sits in an area of regular expressive movement, we are attentive to how the jewelry is sitting at the six-week mark — whether there is any tension, shifting, or early signs of irritation. If an adjustment serves the healing, we make it then. If everything is settling well, we leave it.

 

Piercing Aftercare

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

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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

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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.

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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.