One extreme artist in the world of body modification took the piercing game to a whole new level after having tunnels stretched into his cheeks. You have probably seen him: Joel Miggler, from Kussaberg in Germany, started experimenting with body modification at just 13 years old.
Since then he has collected 27 different piercings, along with six tattoos and an implant. This is the story behind one of the most talked about faces in modern body modification.
Table of Contents
Who Is Joel Miggler?
Joel Miggler can show his teeth through his left cheek and blow smoke through his right cheek thanks to the giant tunnels he stretched into his face. It is an obsession that has cost him more than $4,000 so far. Chasing a spot among the most heavily pierced people in the world does come at a price.
What Is Joel Miggler's Craziest Piercing?
As his piercings grew more and more extreme, Joel Miggler eventually crossed the line into the one modification that would define him: two enormous 36 mm holes in his cheeks. And if you thought he would stop there, you do not know him well. A few months later he stretched those holes even wider, all the way to 40 mm.
Despite his extreme appearance, Joel Miggler insists his cheek tunnels do not affect his daily life, and that he simply takes smaller bites when he eats. His mother has been very supportive of his choice to change his body, though he admits she is not a fan of the cheek tunnels. A mother is still a mother, after all.
Cheek tunnels are an advanced stretch, but the same slow, patient principles apply to any stretched piercing. If you are curious about the beginner path, read our guide on how to stretch your ears safely, and see what a standard cheek piercing involves in our complete cheek piercing guide.
He is also proof that big cheek tunnels do not stand in the way of romance: Joel Miggler has been dating a fellow artist and body piercer for several months. If large tunnels are your goal too, start slow and shop the right gear in our plugs, tunnels and spacers collection.
"I just like to play with my body."
How Do People React to Joel Miggler's Piercings?
The reaction to Joel Miggler's body modifications is mostly positive. Aside from a wave of negativity on social media, where people find it easy to criticize, most people are fairly open minded about his look.
"When I walk down the street, people look at me or sometimes ask me questions about my piercings. It is only on social media that they discriminate against me and offend me the most."
What does your mom think about your piercings?
"My mother likes most of my modifications and she supported my decision to look the way I do, but she does not think the most extreme ones, like my cheeks, are very beautiful."
What pushed you to get all these piercings?
"There is not one person or one thing that inspired me, I just like to play with my body."
Is it painful to get your cheeks pierced?
"Getting my cheeks pierced was not really painful, there was a local anesthetic involved in the procedure."
Joel Miggler on Video
Conclusion
Love it or not, Joel Miggler shows just how far body modification can go when someone treats their own body as a canvas. His 40 mm cheek tunnels are among the most extreme in the world, yet he still lives an ordinary life around them.
If his story sparked your curiosity about stretched jewelry, remember that safe stretching is slow and steady. Take your time, use quality plugs and tunnels, and let your body set the pace.
