Monroe Piercing: Jewellery, FAQs & Guide

Monroe piercing is a type of lip piercing that is designed to look like Marilyn Monroe’s beauty spot. While there is always a discussion as to whether Marilyn Monroe’s beauty spot was a natural mole or drawn on with pencil, you can now get a Marilyn Monroe piercing to create your very own beauty spot. For more information about this awesome lip piercing check out our FAQs, below.

What side is the Marilyn Monroe piercing on?

The Monroe piercing is placed on the left side above the upper lip. Many people ask ‘What is a Monroe piercing?’ It is a type of lip piercing that features a labret stud in the upper lip. It is designed to look like Marilyn Monroe’s beauty spot. The Monroe piercing placement is actually in a slightly different place to Marilyn’s beauty spot which was on her cheek rather than the upper lip.

Does a Monroe piercing hurt?

Monroe piercing pain is usually rated at about a 4 out of 10 on the pain scale which is similar to other lip piercings. Some say that lip piercing can be painful due to the extra nerve endings that are found in the lip but the piercing is performed so quickly that it does not hurt for long. If you have particularly thick lips you may find it hurts more as the piercing procedure will take longer.

How much does it cost for a Monroe piercing?

The average cost for a Monroe piercing is £30 - £35. The Monroe piercing cost is lower than some other lip piercings because it is a single piercing. How much it costs may depend on the piercing jewellery you choose. We always recommend choosing high quality jewellery to ensure your Monroe piercing has the best chance at healing. It is always worth paying the price for an experienced piercer rather than choosing a piercing studio based on cost.

How do you do a Monroe piercing?

A Monroe piercing is usually pierced with a cannula needle which is a type of hollow piercing needle. Your piercer will mark the location of your Monroe piercing for you to check. While you are being pierced your piercer may use clamps or forceps to hold your lip in place. Once they have passed the needle through your lip your piercer will insert the jewellery for your Monroe piercing. You may be asked to rinse your mouth with mouthwash before having the Monroe piercing.

What do I clean my Monroe piercing with?

To clean your Monroe piercing you will need to wash both the inside of your mouth and outside of your lip. You can use either saltwater solution or Tea Tree Oil to clean the outside of your Monroe piercing. Gently bathe your piercing twice a day using cotton wool. To clean the inside of your Monroe piercing use a saltwater solution to rinse out your mouth twice a day. After eating you should also clean your mouth with an alcohol-free mouthwash. Continue this cleaning routine through the Monroe piercing healing time.

Can you eat after getting a Monroe piercing?

After getting a Monroe piercing, you can eat cold, soft foods to help soothe the mouth and reduce swelling. This will help to make your Monroe piercing feel more comfortable. During healing avoid eating spicy food as this can re-open the piercing wound and avoid sticky food as this can get stuck around the piercing jewellery. After your Monroe piercing has healed you can eat anything you like but continue being careful with sticky foods.

Can you drink after getting a Monroe piercing?

After getting a Monroe piercing, avoid drinking alcohol while your piercing is healing. Drinking can slow down healing and irritate the piercing wound. Your piercing will benefit from cold water and ice cubes which will help reduce swelling. Avoid sugary and carbonated drinks after getting a Monroe piercing. Some people also like to avoid drinking hot drinks or milk. Drink plenty of water to help with healing.

How long will my Monroe piercing be red?

The Monroe piercing may be red after being pierced. It takes 2-3 months to heal during which time you may experience redness, itchiness, and initially some swelling. How long your piercing stays red may depend on the aftercare. Monroe piercing swelling is completely normal and should reduce after a week. If your piercing swells significantly after this time and feels hot and itchy then it may be a sign that you have an infection. Make sure to seek medical attention as you may need antibiotics.

Are Monroe piercings dangerous?

Monroe piercings are not dangerous if properly cared for and pierced with appropriate jewellery. The Monroe piercing is higher in the mouth which reduces the risk of accidentally catching the piercing jewellery compared to other lip piercing locations. Your piercer may use a long piercing bar to allow for swelling and will probably ask you to return to have a shorter labret put in after a few weeks. It is important to follow this advice to reduce the risk of your piercing catching on your teeth and gums which could ruin them.

Is my Monroe piercing infected?

If your Monroe piercing is infected you are likely to experience redness, swelling which spreads beyond the piercing location, hotness around the area, and pain. If you think your Monroe piercing is infected it is important to seek medical help. You may need antibiotics to treat the infection and the quicker you get rid of the infection the less likely you are to have a Monroe piercing scar.

Monroe lip piercing is a great stand-alone lip piercing. Its striking appearance will be enhanced by the Monroe piercing jewellery you choose, whether you want a jewelled or plain labret. With so many different designs available you can enjoy customising your lip piercing.

Want to know more about piercings at Blue Banana? Check out our Piercing Guide pages for more information on lip piercings and other types of body piercing.

Monroe Piercing Procedure

Ready to get a Monroe piercing? Use our store locator to find your local Blue Banana Studio. There’s no need to book an appointment; you can simply go to the store of your choice and be pierced on the day.

Make sure to check the Monroe piercing age restriction before coming to store. It can help to avoid any undue disappointment. In a Blue Banana studio, the Monroe piercing age restriction is 16 (ID may be required). Lip piercings are not available with parental consent.

Once you’re all booked in, you will have some forms to fill out. A member of Blue Banana staff will go through the steps and can help you pick out jewellery. Then you can meet the piercer! They too will give you a quick consultation and briefing before discussing the Monroe piercing location.

Monroe Aftercare Advice

A Monroe piercing can take 2-3 months to fully heal. The exact healing time varies from person to person and will need top aftercare to ensure successful healing.

After the initial piercing, your lip is likely to swell and can be quite sore. During the healing process, you should avoid spicy and sticky foods, including chewing gum as this can get caught around your piercing jewellery. During healing, avoid smoking, alcohol, and kissing as this may introduce unwanted bacteria into your piercing wound.

There are two different types of cleaning you will need to do for your Monroe piercing. When cleaning the inside of your Monroe piercing, swill a saltwater solution around your mouth twice a day. Ensure there is no food stuck around your piercing, regularly use mouthwash to maintain good oral hygiene, and try to avoid touching your piercing while it heals. When cleaning the outside of the piercing, use a saltwater solution or Tea Tree Oil to gently bathe the piercing twice a day.

If you would like further information, make sure to read our full Piercing Aftercare Guides to learn about side effects to look out for.

Choosing Monroe Piercing Jewellery

There’s plenty of options when it comes to Monroe piercing jewellery from Blue Banana. Some popular styles include:

Monroe Piercing Bar
Monroe Piercing Labret
Monroe Piercing Jewellery

There are a range of colours and designs to choose from in our lip piercing jewellery range. When choosing your piercing jewellery there are a few things you should consider:

Jewellery Size – Make sure to find out from your piercer the size your Monroe piercing jewellery should be.
Jewellery Material – piercing materials differ not only through their look but also how they could react to your skin. If you have sensitive skin that is prone to irritation, one of the many Titanium jewellery options is recommended. This material comes in a variety of colours and is durable too!

When searching for a piece of jewellery make sure you know your measurements. We display the piercing jewellery measurements as Gauge first (displayed in millimetres) then Length, e.g. 1.2mm x 8mm.

Gauge – this is the thickness of the jewellery itself.
Length – the length of the piercing bar, usually not including the ball.

Make sure to check out the tips from our piercing guides for information about changing and removing piercing jewellery.

Other Guides & Ranges

Please Note: Blue Banana piercing information is based on knowledge from our experiences as one of the UK's top piercing studios. All details provided should be read alongside professional advice. Please see our full Piercing Articles Disclaimer, here.