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The Internet’s latest crush, figure skater Alysa Liu, has truly wowed us many times. She won two gold medals at the 2026 Winter Olympics, rocks a beautiful halo hair and has a stunning smiley piercing that just adds to her charismatic personality. The piercing is all over social media, with people wanting to try it out. I did it to discover the truth behind this trendy but controversial piercing. I’m sharing the good, the bad and everything in between.
What’s a Smiley Piercing, Anyway?
A smiley piercing, also known as a scrumper, is a piercing that passes through the web of tissue connecting the upper lip to the gums. This makes the piercing only visible when you smile, hence its name. You can choose from different types of jewelry, such as a bead ring, a seamless ring or a barbell. They’re often made of titanium, stainless steel, niobium or gold. Such a type of piercing grew popular through social media, and recently, because of figure skater Alysa Liu.
The Piercing Process
According to the decorated athlete, via People, she got her smiley piercing two years ago and only did so with her sister’s help.
“I pierced it a little over two years ago now. I had my sister hold up my lip, and I was looking in the mirror, and I had my piercing needle and then, yeah, I just put it through,” she says.
As much as I adore Alysa, I don’t think this is the wisest process to get a smiley piercing. I don’t have the courage to do it on my own, and given that it involves a very sensitive part of the mouth, I knew I needed to get it professionally done. Here’s what happened:
Initial Assessment
I visited the Association of Professional Piercers (APP) to find a trained professional near me. The APP-certified piercer checked if my frenulum was thick enough to provide a foundation for the piercing. It is also during this session that I learned that not everyone has enough tissue.
Dental Checkup
The thing about getting a smiley piercing is that you’ll need your dentist’s go signal. I had my teeth evaluated to see if the jewelry could sit properly without causing damage to my teeth or gum recession.
Professional Procedure
The professional used a needle to pierce the tissue and guide a curved barbell. It hurt a bit, but it could sting more for those with low pain tolerance. On a scale of one to 10, with one being a pinch and 10 being a stubbed toe, it was a solid four — quick and sharp, but over in seconds. There’s no need to worry, though — APP-certified piercers know what they’re doing!
Healing Process
My healing process took around a month, with the first two weeks being the most challenging. I suggest getting your smiley piercing when you don’t have planned trips or occasions for the month. I made sure I was amenable to staying home for days because of the swelling.
Things I Adore About My Smiley Piercing
Thinking about getting on? Here are the potential perks waiting for you.
People Talk About It
It was a trend, and obviously, people will notice and talk about it. It’s honestly fun to be part of a niche trend and be told, “Hey, you got that Alysa Liu smile!” Since it’s tucked into the upper lip frenulum, it catches people’s attention when I smile.
Confidence Booster
Before getting my piercing, I was hesitant to try bold looks. Now, having this little jewelry makes me feel more daring in other parts of my life. I feel like it has unlocked a new side of me. Suddenly, I am more confident in accepting compliments. When you view yourself negatively, it can be hard to embrace compliments from others. Now, I feel empowered and more confident in accepting them.
Unique Aesthetic
A smiley piercing isn’t something you see every day, which instantly elevates my look. Aside from it looking cool, it’s amazing how different jewelry can change the vibe. For example, a silver bead evokes a chic and subtle edgy aesthetic, while a jeweled piece makes me look extra.
Unexpected Conversation Starter
I was having a bad day one time, when the barista at my favorite coffee shop noticed and complimented my piercing. She asked me things about the process, my healing journey and how long I had had it because she wanted to get one. Fast forward to today and we both have it! I think it’s cool how I influenced someone to get one, too.
The Not-So Glamorous Side
Just like many things, smiley piercing has its drawbacks.
The Awkward First Week
The first week was the hardest part of the whole journey. It was more challenging to eat, drink and even talk. I advise sticking to soft, non-acidic foods like yogurt, oatmeal, smoothies and lukewarm soup. Use a straw for your drinks to avoid getting jewelry caught. Avoid chewing gum and kissing to avoid introducing more bacteria. Lastly, be patient with yourself. I had a slight lisp, but it faded once the swelling went down.
Rigorous Aftercare
Unlike more common types of piercing, smiley piercing is high-maintenance. The mouth has more than 700 bacterial species, and not keeping it clean may increase your risk of infection. Brush your teeth carefully and use table salt dissolved in water or a saline solution twice a day to keep your mouth healthy.
The Constant Worry if My Teeth Are Still OK
You probably already know this type of piercing carries real risks of tooth and gum damage. That’s just the reality of getting a smiley piercing. I’ve met people with cracks in their teeth or a piercing that splits their webbing and affects how they bite. As cute and it looks, I realized that wearing it carries some risk, which can be major since dental work is expensive and painful.
Is Smiley Piercing Worth It?
I’d say yes, but I won’t just! While I have no regrets, it’s a high-maintenance piercing that requires serious consideration. If it’s something you think that will make you confident and you’re ready to stick to the aftercare requirements, I say go for it.
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