Apollo Tattoo Studio provides professional medusa piercing in Los Angeles performed by piercers who map facial anatomy before every piercing. A philtrum piercing sits in the small dimple above the upper lip — placement precision matters because a millimeter off-center reads as misplaced for life. We use needle-only technique and implant-grade titanium labret jewelry sized for your specific upper lip thickness.
Our Los Angeles medusa piercers require a follow-up downsize visit at 8-12 weeks to protect your teeth and gums as swelling resolves — a step most studios skip. Whether this is your first facial piercing or you're adding a centered statement to existing work, our Santa Monica studio offers BVLA threadless ends, gold upgrades, and honest anatomical consultation. Book a free consultation to confirm your philtrum dimple is a good candidate.
Book Your Medusa Piercing
5000+ clients 
What sets Apollo apart for medusa and philtrum piercings in Los Angeles
Every medusa piercing begins with mapping your philtrum dimple and upper lip symmetry. A millimeter off-center reads as misplaced forever — we mark and you approve before any needle touches your face.
We require a free follow-up visit at 8-12 weeks to swap your longer starter post for a properly sized labret. This single step protects your gums and enamel from long-term jewelry damage — most studios skip it.
We never start medusa piercings with rings or hoops — flat-back labret studs are the only safe option for healing oral piercings. The smooth disc sits flat against your gums and minimizes movement.
If your philtrum dimple is too shallow or your upper lip too thin for a stable medusa placement, we'll tell you upfront. We'd rather lose the appointment than place a piercing that won't heal well.
Implant-grade titanium (ASTM F136) starter posts, with optional 14k gold and BVLA threadless end upgrades. Every piece is hand-polished, biocompatible, and engineered specifically for healing oral piercings.
Single-use sterile needles opened in front of you, hospital-grade autoclave for tools, EPA-registered surface disinfectants, and bloodborne pathogen certified piercers. Inspected and licensed by LA County.
Apollo's Premium Jewelry Partner
Handmade in Los Angeles since 1996. Lifetime guarantee. Implant-grade gold, platinum, and titanium. Over 3,000 original designs in our case — ask your piercer for a tour.
See the BVLA story →Explore labret and threadless jewelry options for your medusa piercing at our Los Angeles studio. (Other lip placements worth considering: monroe and classic labret.)
Our standard starter for every medusa piercing. Flat disc back sits against gums; small ball or gem on top. Implant-grade titanium, hypoallergenic, ideal for the entire healing period.
Single faceted gems, opals, or clusters threaded into the same labret post. Switch the top without removing the base post. Available in CZ, genuine stones, and 14k gold settings.
Solid gold posts and tops for permanent upgrades after healing. Yellow, rose, and white gold available. Long-lasting luxury that won't tarnish or react with skin.
Featured in our BVLA collection — hand-finished gem clusters, opals, and unique designs from Los Angeles's premier jewelry maker. The pinnacle for a healed medusa.
Clear next step
Schedule your free consultation — we'll confirm your anatomy is a good fit before piercing
Recommended first step
Choose a facial or oral piercing appointment with clearer placement guidance.
Every piercing heals differently — here's what to expect
| Piercing Type | Location | Initial Healing | Full Healing | Pain Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medusa (Philtrum) | Center upper lip | 6-8 weeks | 3-6 months | 4-5/10 |
| Monroe / Madonna | Upper lip (left or right) | 6-8 weeks | 3-6 months | 4/10 |
| Lip / Labret | Below lower lip | 6-8 weeks | 3-6 months | 3-4/10 |
5000+ clientsYour safety is non-negotiable at our Los Angeles medusa piercing studio
All reusable tools are sterilized in our hospital-grade autoclave.
Pre-sterilized needles opened in front of you -- never reused.
Clean, organized piercing stations with EPA-registered disinfectants.
Licensed and inspected by LA County Health Department.
All staff trained and certified in safety protocols.
Implant-grade materials and BVLA designer tops for your medusa piercing
Senior Piercer Senior Piercer
Bunny Vogt, a dedicated Senior Piercer at our Los Angeles studio since 2019, specializes in facial piercings including medusa and other philtrum placements. Her careful anatomical mapping and gentle technique deliver symmetrical, comfortable medusa piercings.
Founder Master Piercer
Blue Mason, our Master Piercer and studio founder, has performed thousands of facial piercings including medusa and other oral placements over 20+ years. His anatomical precision ensures every philtrum piercing sits perfectly centered.
Understanding what happens during your medusa piercing helps reduce anxiety. Here's our process at our Los Angeles studio.
Medusa piercings live in your mouth's bacterial environment, so aftercare is both external and internal — and it matters more than for most piercings.
Externally: clean twice daily with sterile saline spray. Internally: rinse with alcohol-free mouthwash after every meal, snack, or drink (water excepted). Avoid spicy, acidic, hot, and crunchy foods for the first two weeks. No kissing, oral contact, or shared drinks for 4-6 weeks. No twisting or playing with the jewelry. Sleep on a clean pillowcase. Return at 8-12 weeks for your free downsize visit.
Book AppointmentSignificant lip swelling for 3-5 days — ice and OTC anti-inflammatories help. Saline spray externally 2x daily; alcohol-free mouthwash internally after eating. Soft, room-temperature foods. No kissing, sharing drinks, or playing with jewelry.
Swelling resolved, tenderness fading. Continue oral and external cleaning. Schedule your free downsize visit (8-12 weeks) — we'll swap your starter post for a properly-fitted shorter labret to protect gums and enamel long-term.
Fully healed for most clients. Time to upgrade to 14k gold or BVLA threadless tops. Once healed you can swap decorative ends freely while keeping the same labret post. Visit us for safe jewelry changes.
Getting a medusa piercing at our Los Angeles shop is easy — you can choose what works best for you. We strongly recommend booking ahead for facial piercings so your piercer can give you a full anatomical consultation.
See What Our Satisfied Clients Have to Say About Their Medusa Piercings
"Bunny did my medusa piercing last month and her placement is perfect — sits right in my philtrum dimple and looks symmetrical when I smile. She walked me through every step."
"I'd been wanting a medusa for years and finally went to Apollo. Blue mapped my upper lip carefully and the result looks like it belongs on my face. Healing has been smooth."
"Got my philtrum pierced here and the studio is spotless. Loved that they require a follow-up to downsize the jewelry — felt like they actually cared about my teeth long-term."
"Apollo's medusa work is the best in LA. Bunny upgraded my starter post to a tiny BVLA opal at my downsize appointment and it's stunning."
"First facial piercing for me and the consultation made me feel comfortable. The medusa healed in about 10 weeks and I haven't had any issues."
"Came in from Pasadena for my medusa piercing and it was worth the drive. Clean, professional, no upselling — just great work."
5000+ clientsLocated in Santa Monica, we serve clients from throughout Los Angeles County for professional medusa and philtrum piercings.
Santa Monica, CA
Apollo was founded by Blue Mason in 2007. With 20+ years of body art experience, Blue brings master-level expertise to every piece. Read Blue's story →
Find answers to common questions about medusa and philtrum piercing services, healing, and aftercare.
Most clients rate medusa piercing pain at 5 out of 10 — a quick sharp pinch lasting under two seconds, with your eyes likely watering as a reflex. The philtrum dimple is densely supplied with nerves but the tissue is thin, so the actual piercing passes through fast. Anxiety usually outweighs the real discomfort.
Initial healing for a philtrum piercing takes 8-10 weeks, with full healing in 4-6 months. The mouth's constant movement and exposure to saliva, food, and drinks means medusa piercings need diligent aftercare. Most clients downsize to shorter labret jewelry around the 8-12 week mark to protect teeth and gums.
We start every medusa piercing with implant-grade titanium labret studs — flat-back posts with a small decorative gem or disc on top. Starter posts are slightly longer to accommodate swelling. Once healed (3+ months), you can switch to 14k gold, BVLA threadless ends, or specialty stones. Never use rings during healing.
A properly placed philtrum piercing sits within the natural dimple above the upper lip and shouldn't restrict smile or speech long-term. During the first 1-2 weeks of swelling you may notice slight speech changes, which resolve as the area heals. Correct anatomical placement is everything — we map your unique upper lip before piercing.
For the first 1-2 weeks stick to soft, room-temperature foods and avoid spicy, acidic, salty, or crunchy items. Skip alcohol and smoking during initial healing — both slow tissue repair. Rinse with sterile saline or alcohol-free mouthwash after eating throughout the entire healing period.
A medusa piercing sits directly in the center of the philtrum dimple above the upper lip. A monroe piercing sits off-center on the upper lip (typically the left side) and mimics Marilyn Monroe's beauty mark. Medusas read as symmetrical and bold; monroes feel asymmetric and subtle.
Risk is real but largely managed by proper jewelry sizing and aftercare. Starter posts that are too long can rub gums and erode enamel. We require a follow-up visit at 8-12 weeks to downsize the post once swelling resolves — this single step dramatically reduces dental risk. Flat-back labret design (not rings) is mandatory.
Apollo requires clients to be 18+ for facial piercings including medusa piercings. We follow APP (Association of Professional Piercers) guidelines and California regulations. Valid government-issued photo ID is required at every appointment.
Most clients have enough tissue to support a philtrum piercing, but anatomy varies. During your free consultation we'll assess your philtrum depth, upper lip thickness, and frenulum position. If your anatomy isn't a good fit, we'll be upfront — honest counsel matters more than booking the appointment.
Clean externally twice daily with sterile saline spray. Rinse the inside of your mouth with alcohol-free mouthwash after every meal, snack, and drink (other than water). Don't twist, play with, or remove the jewelry during healing. Avoid kissing, oral contact, and shared drinks for the first 4-6 weeks. Sleep on a clean pillowcase.
Significant swelling for the first 3-5 days is normal — the lip area swells dramatically. Ice (wrapped in clean cloth) and anti-inflammatory medication (if your doctor approves) help. If swelling worsens after day 5, develops with thick yellow-green discharge, or comes with fever, contact us or your physician immediately.
Eat a solid meal beforehand, hydrate well, and avoid alcohol or blood thinners for 24 hours. Brush teeth and rinse with alcohol-free mouthwash before arriving. Bring photo ID. Skip lipstick and lip balm to your appointment. Plan for soft foods at home for the first few days.
We welcome clients from across the greater Los Angeles area.
Cities:
Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Venice, Culver City, Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Marina del Rey, Malibu, Pacific Palisades, Brentwood, Westwood, Hollywood, Downtown LA
We prioritize anatomical precision, dental safety, and professionalism in every medusa piercing.
Recognized in Santa Monica's Most Loved 2025
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