Hypertrophic scarring and Medusa Piercing: Difference between pages

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[[File:HypertrophicEar.jpg|thumb|right|]]
[[File:Medusa Piercing-1.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Medusa Piercing]]
[[File:Medusa Piercing-5.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Medusa Piercing]]
[[File:Medusa Piercing-2.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Medusa Piercing]]


'''Hypertrophic scarring''' is heavy scarring that appears around a piercing or other wound. The main reason that they're different from [[Keloids|keloid]] scars is that they don't extend past the original scar. Moreover, they're generally more clear than keloids.
The '''medusa piercing''' is sort of like an upside-down [[Labret Piercing|labret piercing]]. It's a piercing through the center of the upper lip; the philtrum, perpendicular to the tissue.


Most people — including many piercers — will mistakenly call all bumps keloids, when in fact hypertrophic scarring is more common.  
This piercing was named in the mid 1990s by Kerrick, a hairdresser and model from Toronto, Canada. The piercing was performed by [[Tom Brazda]] of [[Stainless Studios]], although it was certainly not unheard of at that point. It just didn't have a name that had stuck.


Hypertrophic scars go away both with treatment and with time. In a lot of cases, the jewelry is inappropriate ( it's too heavy, or has a poor shape), and creates stress around the fistula. Simply change the jewelry and the scar might go away in few days.
This piercing is normally worn with a [[Labret Stud]], although rings and other jewelry are possible. Some people stretch this piercing.


Treatments include [[Collagen]]-reducing steroid injections or topical creams, as well as other methods such as silicone sheet pressure and natural methods. It is important to be aware that a hypertrophic scar is NOT something to be popped. There is no puss in it, it's only collagen fibers in granulation tissue. One reader wrote to tell us his story (his picture is below):
It is important to note that good placement is essential with this piercing. If the placement is not aesthetically balanced, it will accentuate any lack of symmetry in the wearer's face.


:''"After one full month of heal time and (possibly over) cleaning, I developed a hypertrophic scar on my nipple piercing. It was most likely the result of the nipple getting bonked on the car door because I'm a bumbling fool.
=== Alternative Names ===


That said, it became very big and puffy, yet didn't harden. It appeared shiny... like a really large pimple. At the suggestion of a friend, I squeezed until liquid popped out. Yay for that (ew). The picture is post-popping, and needless to say that didn't take care of it.
; Philtrum Piercing
: What's interesting is that this is one of the few cases — others include the [[daith]] and [[rook]] — where a decorative name has trumped a proper anatomical name. The [[Philtrum]] is the anatomically correct term for the midline groove of the upper lip which is located between the nose and the top of the lip.
; Cleft Piercing
: This is a local term in Vermont and other areas, with "cleft" referring to the indented space between the ridges above the lip.
; Upbret
: Deviation of ''[[Labret]]''; used in some parts of the West Coast of the United States.
; KA Piercing
: Pronounced "kay - eh", not "kah", this is a term almost exclusively limited to the USENET newsgroup ([[rec.arts.bodyart]]). Rumor has it, it is so named because the piercer [[Keith Alexander]] — a regular in that newsgroup — does not enjoy doing the piercing.  


What finally did this in (and yes, its totally healed now), was an interesting remedy a friend told me about which you might want to list on the site. I created my usual sea-salt water solution and put it into a coffee mug, then dropped in a chamomile herbal tea bag and brewed it. The tea bag served as a warm wet compress, and was used for 15 minutes three times a day. Within two days, the lump was almost entirely gone...which is why I think this is worth mention."''
: however... rumors are not always true. Keith wrote in to add,
: : Not true. The term "KA" was coined by [[Yttrx]], then "p0ok", to annoy me. I HATE the bullshit names given to piercings — cindy, madonna, marylin, and especially "medusa." Did the mythical Medusa have such a piercing? I '''love''' doing those, anyway.


There are many "homegrown" treatments. Another reader writes in talking about their experiences using [[Tea tree oil]]:
It should also be noted that any [[Vertical Labret]] piercing, lower or upper lip, may be referred to as a Medusa in parts of Finland. One reader there writes us,"That caused some confusion for me when I started browsing BME to say the least. I think this originates from the '''[[Harness Studio]]''' in Helsinki, quite probably from a misunderstanding from the time when piercing was taking its first baby footsteps around here."
:''"Another hypertrophic scar remedy: tea tree oil. I started developing one on the back of my conch, but for whatever reason had an aversion to the idea of 'popping' it. The piercer told me he swears by tea tree oil for it. So I figured hey, why not, toddled down to the little natural-goods shop down the street, bought some, and tried it. In about a week the bump was gone. And hey, it's cheap, has antiseptic properties, and it smells nice."''


[[File:Hypertrophic_Scarring-1.jpg|thumb|center|]]
=== See Also ===
* [[Labret]]
* [[Madonna Piercing]]
* [[Horizontal Philtrum Piercing]]


== See Also ==
=== Related Risks ===
* [[Chamomile Teabag Compresses]]
* [[Swollen Lip]]
* [[Embedded Labret]]

Latest revision as of 07:55, 17 September 2023

Medusa Piercing
Medusa Piercing
Medusa Piercing

The medusa piercing is sort of like an upside-down labret piercing. It's a piercing through the center of the upper lip; the philtrum, perpendicular to the tissue.

This piercing was named in the mid 1990s by Kerrick, a hairdresser and model from Toronto, Canada. The piercing was performed by Tom Brazda of Stainless Studios, although it was certainly not unheard of at that point. It just didn't have a name that had stuck.

This piercing is normally worn with a Labret Stud, although rings and other jewelry are possible. Some people stretch this piercing.

It is important to note that good placement is essential with this piercing. If the placement is not aesthetically balanced, it will accentuate any lack of symmetry in the wearer's face.

Alternative Names

Philtrum Piercing
What's interesting is that this is one of the few cases — others include the daith and rook — where a decorative name has trumped a proper anatomical name. The Philtrum is the anatomically correct term for the midline groove of the upper lip which is located between the nose and the top of the lip.
Cleft Piercing
This is a local term in Vermont and other areas, with "cleft" referring to the indented space between the ridges above the lip.
Upbret
Deviation of Labret; used in some parts of the West Coast of the United States.
KA Piercing
Pronounced "kay - eh", not "kah", this is a term almost exclusively limited to the USENET newsgroup (rec.arts.bodyart). Rumor has it, it is so named because the piercer Keith Alexander — a regular in that newsgroup — does not enjoy doing the piercing.
however... rumors are not always true. Keith wrote in to add,
: Not true. The term "KA" was coined by Yttrx, then "p0ok", to annoy me. I HATE the bullshit names given to piercings — cindy, madonna, marylin, and especially "medusa." Did the mythical Medusa have such a piercing? I love doing those, anyway.

It should also be noted that any Vertical Labret piercing, lower or upper lip, may be referred to as a Medusa in parts of Finland. One reader there writes us,"That caused some confusion for me when I started browsing BME to say the least. I think this originates from the Harness Studio in Helsinki, quite probably from a misunderstanding from the time when piercing was taking its first baby footsteps around here."

See Also

Related Risks

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