Before you get your cartilage piercings, get all your information of the different types of ear piercings here! This blog post shares information about common cartilage piercings. These include helix, forward helix, daith, conch, rook, tragus, anti-tragus, snug, orbital, and industrial piercings.
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CARTILAGE PIERCINGS
Firstly what is a cartilage piercing? a cartigle piercing is any ear piercing on cartilage.
Cartilage is harder to pierce than the lobe. Because of this, these piercings usually take longer to heal. They are also more painful compared to lobe piercings.
Common cartilage piercings include helix, forward helix, daith, conch, rook and tragus piercings. Some less common ear piercings are the anti-tragus, snug, orbital and industrial piercings.
What is the difference between cartilage and helix piercings?
Often people confuse helix and cartilage piercings. Cartilage piercings refer to any ear piercing on a piece of cartilage. Whereas helix piercings are cartilage piercings, since this piercing is done on cartilage. Here’s what you need to know about the different types of ear piercings.
Do cartilage piercings hurt?
Cartilage piercings can hurt a little. The pain level depends on your pain tolerance. It also depends on where on the cartilage you get it done and how thick the cartilage is.
How long does a cartilage piercing take to heal?
Cartilage piercings typically have a healing time of 4 to 12 months.
How much does a cartilage piercing cost?
The cost of a cartilage piercing ranges from $30 to $80, depending on the studio and jewelry. Always remember to use a professional piercer and no piercing guns!
When can I change my cartilage piercing?
You can change your cartilage piercing after 6 to 12 weeks, depending on where you pierced it, once it has healed.
How to remove a cartilage piercing?
If you’re wearing a stud piercing, you can remove your cartilage piercing by gently twisting or pulling off the charm. For cartilage hoop earrings, simply unclick the hoop to take it out.
What gauge is a cartilage piercing?
Most cartilage piercings use a 16g or 18-gauge needle.
Do cartilage piercings close?
Cartilage piercings can close quickly if not fully healed or left without jewelry for too long.
Let's get into the different types of cartilage piercings now!
LOBE PIERCINGS: Lobe piercings are the most popular piercings, this classic choice works well with many styles, such as like dangle, hoop, or stud. Generally, people do not consider lobe piercings as cartilage piercings because they pierce the fleshy part of the ear!
HELIX PIERCINGS: This sits in the cartilage of the upper section of the ear, often near the utmost top. With a unique and spunky style, hoops work well here as they stand out on both sides!
TRAGUS PIERCINGS: There is a small, thin area just below the daith piercing in front of your ear canal. This is where people get tragus piercings. You can also pierce a small thin piece of flesh on the other side of the ear, which people often call the anti-tragus. Both locations are small and work best with styles such as studs or ring clickers.
CONCH PIERCINGS: This is a cartilage piercing located under the snug earring area. They named it after the “conch” seashell, which looks like the middle ear. Usually this area has a hoop earring that runs from the inner to the back of the outer ear.
DAITH PIERCINGS: This piercing sits where the outer rim of the ear merges with the side of your head. Since this is a tiny piece of cartilage, smaller barbells are a popular choice. Some even believe this piercing helps clear migraines!
FORWARD HELIX PIERCINGS: The main difference between this and the regular helix is location. The forward helix is on the lower part of the outer rim of the ear that runs closer to your head. Since this is a smaller location, studs are a popular choice since they do not interfere with hair because of their size.
ROOK PIERCINGS: You can find rook piercings in the thin area between the helix and forward helix. Since this is a more compact area, curved barbells are the most popular choice.
INDUSTRIAL PIERCINGS: A double piercing located in the upper ear cartilage. It needs two piercings: one on the top and one on the side of the ear. You can also see the bar inside the inner ear.
ORBITAL PIERCINGS: Orbital piercings have two holes linked by one piece of jewelry. Instead of a bar, they use a small hoop.
SNUG PIERCINGS: Going deeper into the ear under the outer rim is a layer of inner cartilage. This is where someone performs snug piercings; since this area has a bend, we recommend using a curved barbell.
ANTI-TRAGUS PIERCINGS: The anti-tragus is located opposite the tragus, directly above your earlobe. The anti-tragus piercing is great for anyone wanting a unique look. Since this area has a bend, we suggest using a curved barbell or a cute hoop.
EAR PIERCING AFTERCARE
How to clean a cartilage piercing? After you get your ear pierced, it is important to care for it well. Proper aftercare helps your piercing heal better.
We recommened gentle aftercare. To care for your piercing, spray the front and back with sterile saline solution. Do this 2 to 3 times a day.
Rinse it out in the shower with warm water. Avoid using harsh soaps, ointments or creams.
During the first few weeks, you can expect some bleeding, localized swelling, tenderness, and/or bruising. During your healing process, you might see some flaking and swelling. You may also notice a whitish-yellow fluid that is not pus.
This fluid can form a crust on the jewelry, and this is normal! The tissue may tighten around the jewelry as it heals. Once your piercing heals, the jewelry might not move freely in the piercing; do not force it!
The healing process for cartilage ear piercings can be longer than for lobe piercings, taking several months to a year to fully heal. During this time, it's crucial to maintain proper aftercare:
- Clean the piercing with saline solution or a saline wound wash as recommended by your professional piercer.
- Avoid touching the piercing with unwashed hands to prevent infection.
- Be cautious with hairstyles and hats that might irritate the piercing.
- Avoid swimming in pools or hot tubs until the piercing fully heals.
JEWELRY FOR CARTILAGE PIERCINGS
One of the most exciting aspects of cartilage piercings is the opportunity to experiment with different jewelry styles. Popular options include:
- Studs: Classic and versatile, flat back earrings come in many shapes and sizes. They let you express your style in a subtle way.
- Hoops: Like captive bead rings (CBRs), clickers, and seamless rings, can make a bold statement. Their size and style can create an eye-catching look.
- Barbells: Curved or straight barbells are ideal for piercings like the rook and helix, offering a modern and edgy aesthetic.
- Cuffs: Ear cuffs are a stylish and easy way to decorate your cartilage. They do not require extra piercings and offer a unique look.
- Labret Studs: These studs have a flat disc on one end and a removable decorative top. They are a great choice for snug and tragus piercings.
Cartilage ear piercings offer a world of creative possibilities for self-expression and personal style. Your cartilage piercing reflects your personality. You might prefer the subtlety of a tragus piercing. Or you might like the boldness of an industrial piercing.
