Everything You Need to Know About Dahlia Piercings
Dahlia piercings place two labret studs at the corners of the mouth, framing the smile on both sides. This guide covers why anatomy determines placement more than preference here, pain, the longer 6 to 12 week healing timeline, jewellery and the dual aftercare routine managing two highly mobile piercings.Everything You Need to Know About Dahlia Piercings
A dahlia piercing is a pair of labret studs placed at the corners of the mouth, one on each side. Each stud passes through the tissue just outside the mouth corners, with a flat-back disc inside the mouth and a decorative end visible at each side of the smile. The name comes from the infamous Black Dahlia case from the 1940s, though some also attribute it to the dahlia flower's symmetrical petal arrangement. The piercing is also sometimes called joker piercings in reference to the smile-framing effect.
Dahlia piercings are among the more advanced facial piercing options. The mouth corner region contains the orbicularis oris muscle, parotid ducts, salivary ducts, transverse facial arteries and important nerve pathways. A skilled piercer must assess the internal anatomy carefully at each side before marking placement. For many people the exact placement they envisage is not where the safe pierceable tissue is located: the piercer's anatomical assessment takes precedence over preference for exact corner positioning.
The dahlia is rarer than most lip piercings precisely because of this anatomy dependency combined with the demanding aftercare. When healed successfully they are a genuinely distinctive addition to the face that few other piercings can replicate. The symmetrical framing of the smile at both corners is unlike any single-point piercing.
Why Anatomy Determines Placement
Do Dahlia Piercings Hurt?
Most people rate dahlia piercing pain at 4 to 6 out of 10. The tissue at the mouth corners is thicker than the lip tissue itself, which means the sensation is more of a strong pressure than a sharp pinch. Both piercings are done sequentially in the same session so you experience the procedure twice. The second side tends to feel slightly more intense as the face is already sensitised and mild swelling has begun at the first side.
Healing takes 6 to 12 weeks with consistent aftercare. The extended healing range compared to a standard labret reflects the constant mobility of the mouth corners during speech, eating and facial expressions. Every smile, chew and conversation moves the jewellery within the healing wound on both sides simultaneously. Food debris also reaches the dahlia placement more readily than most other labret positions as the piercings sit near the molar region.
| Stage | Timeframe | What to Expect |
|---|---|---|
| Inflammatory | Days 1–7 | Swelling at both corners; some difficulty opening the mouth fully; soft foods essential |
| Downsize window | Weeks 3–6 | Both bars shortened at the same appointment once swelling resolves; prevents molar contact from excess bar length |
| Healing | Weeks 6–10 | More comfortable; still sensitive to spicy and acidic food contact; maintain full dual aftercare |
| Full healing | Weeks 10–12+ | Confirmed by piercer; can upgrade to decorative tops; continue dental monitoring |
What Jewellery Is Used in Dahlia Piercings?
Flat-back labret studs are the standard jewellery for dahlia piercings throughout healing and after. A matched pair in identical gauge and length is important: visual symmetry is central to the dahlia aesthetic and unmatched bars read immediately as mismatched. Initial bars are longer to accommodate swelling at both sides. Downsize both at the same piercer appointment once swelling resolves.
| Style | Best For | Size Guide | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Matched flat-back labret pair (initial) | Fresh and healing | 14G, 10–12mm post initially | Matched pair essential; longer bar accommodates corner swelling |
| Matched flat-back labret pair (downsized) | Healing phase | 14G, 6–8mm post once swelling resolves | Shorter bar reduces molar contact; critical step |
| Small gem tops (2–3mm, matched) | Fresh and healed | Match post gauge | Subtle paired sparkle at the mouth corners; most common everyday choice |
| Larger gem or charm tops (matched) | Fully healed | 3–5mm gem face | More prominent corner decoration; ensure post length is correct before fitting |
Implant-grade titanium throughout healing. Once healed, captive bead rings or curved barbells can be worn at dahlias if anatomy supports it, though most people retain flat-back studs as their everyday option for comfort and dental safety in the molar region.
For all lip and mouth piercing types including labret, snake bites and medusa piercings, visit the Lip and Mouth Piercing Types Explained guide. For every piercing type in one resource, visit the Piercing Types Explained hub.
Book your dahlia piercings at OSCO London
Dahlia piercings at OSCO London are just £10 per piercing. Full anatomy assessment at consultation, implant-grade titanium as standard, dual aftercare guidance included.
OSCO London is a professional piercing studio in Northwood, London. Visit the OSCO London homepage to book your dahlia piercings and have mouth corner anatomy assessed by a trained professional before any marks are placed.
How to Care for Dahlia Piercings
Dahlia aftercare applies the same dual protocol as other labret-family piercings to both piercings simultaneously. External: spray sterile saline at both face-side exit points twice daily and pat each dry with a clean paper towel. Internal: rinse with alcohol-free mouthwash after every meal and drink. Given that dahlia piercings sit near the molar area where most chewing happens, rinsing thoroughly after every meal to remove food debris from around both internal discs is especially important.
Dahlia piercings are more exposed to food contact than most labret positions. Soak with saline after eating to flush debris from the back corners of the mouth. Stick to soft foods for the first two weeks. Avoid spicy and acidic foods throughout the healing period. Do not apply makeup or skincare near the mouth corners during healing.
Monitor both piercings independently during healing. If one side develops an irritation bump while the other remains settled, treat them separately and identify the cause at the affected side. Both bars must be downsized at the same piercer appointment once swelling resolves. Never attempt to change or downsize either bar yourself during healing.
For a complete guide to every oral and body piercing type, visit the Piercing Types Explained hub at OSCO London, covering all placements from lip and mouth piercings through to ear cartilage and body piercings.