Philtrum piercing – meaning, healing & Face Reading explained
- Daniel Neuhaus
- Feb 6
- 11 min read
When people hear the term “Medusa piercing”, many first think of a social media trend: a small metal point above the upper lip, right in the center of the face – somewhere between elegant and rebellious.
In professional terminology, however, this piercing is called a philtrum piercing, because it is placed precisely in the groove between the nose and the upper lip.
Anatomically, this is a highly sensitive area with many nerve endings. In Face Reading, it is even more than that: it is the center of erotic expression, creativity, vitality, fertility, and magnetic attraction.
In this article, we look at both levels:
What exactly is a philtrum piercing, how is it done, and what should you pay attention to during healing?
What does this area of the face represent in Face Reading, and what can a piercing there reveal about attraction, self-protection, and identity?
Contents at a glance
The philtrum in Face Reading – “magic of love” and sea of Yin
Why it is called a “Medusa piercing” – the archetype behind it
Philtrum piercing in Face Reading – attraction, protection, and self-determination
Typical Face Reading questions – when the piercing becomes especially interesting
Philtrum piercing as a body statement – trend, identity, and inner movement
Conclusion – a metal point between eroticism and inner boundary
1. What is a philtrum piercing?
A philtrum piercing is a piercing placed through the philtrum, the small groove between the nasal septum and the upper lip. From the outside, you see a piece of jewelry or a small labret positioned exactly in the center above the upper lip.
Colloquially, this piercing is often referred to as a “Medusa piercing.” In professional terminology, however, the correct term is philtrum piercing, as it precisely describes the anatomical location.
Typical characteristics:
Position: centered between nose and upper lip, exactly in the philtrum
Jewelry: usually a labret stud with a flat backing on the inside and a ball or gemstone on the outside
Name: “Medusa” as a scene term, “philtrum piercing” as the anatomical designation
Visually, this piercing draws the eye strongly to the center of the face: to the mouth, lips, Cupid’s bow, and therefore to speech, sensuality, and attraction.
2. Procedure, pain, and healing – what to expect
A philtrum piercing should always be placed by an experienced piercing studio. It passes through well-perfused tissue in an area that is in constant motion due to facial expression, eating, and speaking.
Typical procedure:
Consultation: assessment of philtrum anatomy, distance to teeth and gums, symmetry, and any pre-existing conditions
Marking: determining the exact center and appropriate height so that the piercing harmonizes with the Cupid’s bow
Piercing: creating the channel with a sterile needle and inserting a slightly longer initial piece of jewelry to allow for swelling
Check-up: instructions for aftercare, nutrition, oral hygiene, and follow-up appointments
Pain perception varies greatly. Many describe the pain during a philtrum piercing as “short, intense, but manageable.” Due to the proximity to nerves and the lips, it may feel slightly burning, and swelling during the first few days is normal.
Healing time:
Depending on the body and aftercare, healing usually takes about 8–12 weeks before the piercing is considered healed. During this time, the following are especially important:
good oral hygiene
avoiding unnecessary pulling or playing with the jewelry
careful eating, drinking, and kissing
If severe pain, persistent redness, pus, or fever occur, medical evaluation is advisable.
3. Risks, care, and when to take a closer look
Like any piercing, a philtrum piercing carries risks:
swelling, inflammation, infection
irritation of teeth and gums if the backing rubs on the inside
scar formation or small indentations if the piercing is removed
with unfavorable anatomy: pressure on gums or bone
Throughout the process, it is essential to:
choose a reputable studio with clear hygiene standards and thorough consultation
avoid any form of self-piercing or unprofessional procedures
allow sufficient time for healing
From a Face Reading perspective, one note is important:
If this area is already very sensitive, scarred, or prone to frequent inflammation, it is always worth looking at the inner level before making an aesthetic decision: what is your face already expressing in this area, even before metal is introduced?
4. The philtrum in Face Reading – “magic of love” and Sea of Yin
Now we move to the inner level.
For me as a Face Reader, the philtrum is one of the most fascinating areas of the face because it carries several layers of meaning at once:
Ancient Greek: philtrum literally means “magic of love”
Chinese medicine: the “Sea of Yin” – the connection between heaven and earth, creation and life flow
Physiognomy: a zone of attraction, sensuality, fertility, and creative energy
Here, very different themes converge:
desire, eroticism, and sex drive
the need for physical closeness and touch
creativity – both mental and physical
fertility and the question: what wants to come into the world through me?
magnetic presence and charisma
A pronounced, deep philtrum stands in Face Reading for:
strong erotic energy
clear attraction to others without conscious effort
perseverance, inner drive, “I follow things through”
people who energize others when they enter a room
A flatter or less pronounced philtrum can be associated with:
a gentler libido
a more cautious approach to closeness
less focus on physical sexuality and more on mental or creative forms of expression
Important: these are tendencies, not rigid categories. It is about inclinations, not labeling anyone.
5. Why it is called a “Medusa piercing” – the archetype behind it
The name is no coincidence.
In many later retellings, Medusa is portrayed as a “hideous monster.” In older myths, however, she was primarily:
an exceptionally beautiful, fascinating woman
a bearer of overwhelming attraction
someone whose gaze could not be controlled
a figure who set boundaries through sheer presence, not through words
Medusa’s power lies in the face.
Between eyes, nose, and mouth – exactly where Face Reading locates the center of attraction. Whoever looks at Medusa cannot easily escape her influence. Fascination and danger lie close together.
The philtrum piercing carries this symbolism forward:
it sits precisely at the center of the “magic of love”
it emphasizes attraction – and at the same time distance
it says: “You may look. But I decide how close you come.”
This is why “Medusa” as a name is psychologically fitting. It is about sovereignty over one’s own magnetic expression.
6. Philtrum piercing in Face Reading – attraction, protection, and self-determination
When a philtrum piercing appears in Face Reading, I am less interested in whether it is “beautiful.” What fascinates me far more is the message behind it.
A piercing placed directly in the center of the philtrum is, from this perspective:
A metal anchor at the core of erotic energy, creativity, and life flow.
People rarely place a sign at the center of their erotic energy by coincidence. Typical themes that may appear here include:
6.1. “My attraction belongs to me.”
Many people who wear a philtrum piercing send – consciously or unconsciously – the message:
“I know that I have an effect.”
“I want to be seen.”
“I decide how my sensuality is perceived.”
The piercing becomes a symbol of self-determination over one’s own erotic impact. No longer merely the object of another’s gaze, but the subject.
6.2. Invitation and boundary at the same time
The philtrum is a sensitive, vulnerable zone. A piercing in this area often means:
I want to be seen.
But I am not simply available.
There is a clear threshold.
It is this double movement that Medusa describes so well:
Attraction + protection.
Love, desire, and contact – but not without boundaries.
6.3. Compensation – when something was missing
Some people choose a philtrum piercing during a phase in which they want to strengthen something internally:
self-worth feels fragile
one’s own attractiveness is questioned
sexuality has been shamed or wounded
closeness has long been a difficult topic
The metal then acts like an anchor:
“This is something important that I no longer want to overlook.”
In readings, stories often emerge here about early relationships, hurtful comments about the body, slut-shaming, or very rigid moral frameworks from which someone wants to free themselves.
6.4. Amplification – when a lot of power is already there
For others, the philtrum piercing is more of a statement:
“I know my erotic power.”
“I consciously play with my effect.”
“I take up space and I stand by it.”
In these cases, the piercing amplifies an already strong zest for life and presence. It brings outward something that is already stable within.
7. Philtrum piercing and different philtrum types
It becomes especially interesting when the shape of the philtrum is considered together with the piercing.
7.1. Pronounced, deep philtrum + philtrum piercing
very strong attraction, often charismatic personalities
high sex drive, strong need for physical closeness
creative, passionate character
Here, the philtrum piercing can function like a lighthouse:
“I stand by my sensuality and consciously frame it.”
7.2. Delicate or flat philtrum + philtrum piercing
more cautious access to physicality
subtler erotic perception
sometimes shame or insecurity around sexuality
In this case, the piercing can be an attempt to bring more presence outward than is currently felt inwardly. In a reading, it is worth looking at questions such as:
“Am I even allowed to be sensual?”
“How free may my body be?”
“Who taught me what is ‘too much’?”
7.3. Philtrum piercing + very pronounced Cupid’s bow
The Cupid’s bow – the small heart shape at the transition to the upper lip – is closely connected with manifestation power, loving speech, and the “wish-fulfillment gene.”
In combination with a philtrum piercing, this often points to people who:
speak very charismatically
easily persuade others
like to actively express love and affection
use their erotic-communicative energy very consciously
Here, the piercing can act as an amplifier for attraction through language.
8. Typical Face Reading questions – when the piercing becomes especially interesting
In a reading, it is never about imposing a fixed interpretation on someone. Instead, I use the philtrum piercing as an entry point into a conversation.
Questions I ask inwardly or gently voice include, for example:
In which phase of your life did you get the piercing?
What changed at that time in your love life, your sexuality, or your self-image?
Did you want to show yourself more – or protect yourself?
Was it more about rebellion, beauty, or the feeling: “Now I belong to myself”?
Very often, this opens deep conversations about:
first experiences of love and the body
shame and being shamed
the struggle to find one’s own healthy form of eroticism
the question: “How free may I be in my body without losing myself?”
9. Philtrum piercing as a body statement – trend, identity, and inner movement
Especially for younger people, a philtrum piercing today is more than a fashion accessory. It can stand for:
self-determination over sexuality: “I define what femininity or masculinity means to me.”
letting go of old moral frameworks: “I no longer allow external gazes to control me.”
identity in transition: puberty, coming out, first relationships, redefining desire
play with gender roles: androgynous, hyper-feminine, non-binary – all are possible
The face thus becomes a stage for inner movement.
And the philtrum piercing marks precisely the point where love, desire, voice, and life energy meet.
10. Conclusion – a metal point between eroticism and inner boundary
The philtrum piercing sits at one of the most charged points of the face. Anatomically, it is a piercing through the philtrum. In Face Reading, it is a metal anchor at the center of:
erotic attraction
creative creation
fertility and life flow
magnetic presence
self-determination over sensuality
It can be a symbol of:
“I know my effect and I stand by it.”
“I take the right to define my sexuality myself.”
“I attract – but I do not allow myself to be possessed.”
You do not have to wear a philtrum piercing for these themes to be important in your life. But if you do have one, it is worth asking:
Which story in your life have you marked with this small metal point?
Because this is often where, in Face Reading, the most exciting part of the conversation begins.
If you would like to go deeper:
→ Philtrum – what the groove between nose and upper lip reveals about you
If you would like to understand more deeply how shape, depth, and course of the philtrum relate to creativity, fertility, and patterns of closeness, you will find a detailed introduction here.
→ Heart-shaped lips – expression, attraction, and emotional openness
The Cupid’s bow shows how we express love, how we speak, and how strong our “manifestation power” is. A natural continuation of the philtrum piercing topic.
→ Lip shapes – the 7 most important forms and what they reveal about personality
How your lips are connected to your emotional language and what others intuitively read from them.
→ Nasolabial folds – lines of destiny and letting go
What the lines between nose and mouth reveal about your life path, old burdens, and your ability to let go.
→ Wrinkles in Face Reading – traces of lived emotions
An overview of how recurring feelings leave marks on the face and what you can take from them for your development.
→ Face Reading and cosmetic surgery
How aesthetic procedures and inner themes are connected – and why a holistic perspective is helpful before major changes to the face.
→ Personal Face Reading – what does your face reveal about you?
If you would like to understand your own features – including piercings, wrinkles, and expression lines – in more depth, you can book an individual reading here.
→ Face Reading in recruiting – who am I actually hiring?
If you want to see how facial signals can also be used in a professional context, you will find a factual and practical introduction here.
Video: a conversation about personality, empathy, and what faces reveal
In this episode of FlowGrade – For Life, I talk with Max Gotzler about what Face Reading can truly offer today. We go through the foundations – physiognomy, facial expression, and body language – and discuss how personality shows itself in the face, where the limits lie, and why empathy is at the core of this work.
At the end, I read a few facets of Max’s personality from his face – in the form of a small speed reading, in a live analysis.
Free Face Reading Webinar – live every month
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You will learn how facial features are connected to personality, resources, and inner patterns – and how you can use this knowledge for coaching, communication, or your personal development.
The webinar is designed to be interactive and offers plenty of space for your questions.
Join for free here:
11. FAQ – Philtrum Piercing
What exactly is a philtrum piercing?
A philtrum piercing is a piercing placed through the philtrum, the small groove between the nose and the upper lip. From the outside, you usually see a small stud positioned just above the upper lip. In studios, it is also often referred to colloquially as a Medusa piercing.
How painful is a philtrum piercing?
Pain perception is individual. Many describe it as a short, intense sting. Due to the proximity to nerves and the lips, it can be felt more strongly than a simple earlobe piercing, but the sensation usually subsides quickly.
How long does a philtrum piercing take to heal?
Healing usually takes about 8–12 weeks, sometimes a bit longer. During this time, good oral hygiene, gentle handling of the jewelry, and regular check-ups at the studio are important.
What risks does a philtrum piercing have?
In addition to typical risks such as swelling, inflammation, and infection, irritation of the teeth and gums can occur if the inner backing sits unfavorably. This is why an experienced studio and the correct jewelry length are essential. Severe pain or pus should always be medically evaluated.
What does a philtrum piercing mean in Face Reading?
In Face Reading, it is located right in the “magic of love.” It can be a sign of self-determination in sexuality and attraction, and of the tension between “I want to show myself” and “I need protection.” Depending on the shape of the philtrum and one’s life story, it can express very different nuances.
Can I remove a philtrum piercing without leaving a “mark” in Face Reading?
From a Face Reading perspective, it is not the metal trace that matters most, but the story behind it. If you remove the piercing, the experience you had with it does not disappear – but you can consciously decide how you relate to attraction, boundaries, and sensuality today.
