A Monroe piercing is a type of facial piercing located above the upper lip on the left-hand side, meant to resemble Marilyn Monroes beauty spot, although Monroes beauty spot was on her cheek, not her lip. The piercing is typically done with a labret stud, creating a stunning focal point on the face. The estimated healing time given by professional piercers for this type of lip piercing is between 6 to 12 weeks, but many find it heals in 3 to 6 weeks. The piercing is done at one of the thinnest parts of the lip, which means its a less painful placement. Most people with a Monroe piercing favor a metal ball or a jewel on the outer-end. The lip can often swell considerably after the piercing and will need both facial and oral aftercare to keep both sides of the jewelry clean at all times. Scarring is minimal to none if properly taken care of. However, as with similar piercings, Monroe piercings can cause long-term damage to the gums and teeth. The back-disk of metal jewelry worn in this piercing rubs against them, potentially resulting in gum recession or damage to tooth enamel. Plastic labret-studs are available to minimize this problem. The piercing process can be very painful, as this area of the body contains a large system of nerves. There is a small risk of piercing the superior labial artery, which lies just above the upper lip. The cost of a Monroe piercing typically ranges from $50 to $80.