PIERCINGS 101


Whether you're considering your first piercing or are a seasoned pro, there's always something to learn about piercings. This article will cover the basics of cartilage piercings, including types of piercings, aftercare, and more.


How To Take Care Of Cartilage Piercings


Don't twist, turn, rotate, or sleep on your cartilage ear piercings because this might promote infection and discomfort and lengthen the healing process. Steer clear of bodies of water (baths, pools, hot tubs, and so on) for six to eight weeks after getting pierced. Avoid exposing your new cartilage ear piercings to soap, peroxide, Neosporin, rubbing alcohol, and other harsh chemicals.


What is a Daith Piercing?


Although a daith ear piercing is quite simple, it isn't easy to perform because of its location. The daith piercing, located in an uncomfortable position—the hoop that embraces the cartilage inside your ear—requires a professional piercer.


Do Daith Ear Piercings Hurt?


On the piercings pain scale, we give a daith ear piercing a five or six out of 10. When you get a daith piercing, you will feel a dull pressure on your ear. The daith piercing typically takes six to nine months to heal. It's not recommended to sleep on a daith piercing until it has completely recovered, but sleeping on one after only a few months is typical.


The most popular daith earrings are hoops, double studs, and curved barbells.


What Is A Helix Piercing?


The helix is located above the lobe on the outer edge of your ear. The helix is a popular choice for people who want multiple piercings, as it can accommodate many different types and sizes of jewelry. The most popular earring style for a helix piercing? A snug hoop, of course.


The helix piercing is one of the less painful piercings, as it goes through cartilage that doesn't have many nerve endings. Everyone experiences pain differently, and some people report feeling a sharp pinch or pressure when getting their helix pierced.


The average healing time for a helix cartilage piercing is around four to six-nine months, although some people report that their piercing heals much quicker. Sleeping on your helix can irritate it or cause it to become infected, so it's best to avoid doing so until the piercing heals.


How Much Are Helix Piercings?


Your helix cartilage piercing will most likely cost between $40 and $50. You may be able to locate cheaper priced options, but piercer reputation is crucial, so always go with the more expensive, experienced piercer. If you don't, you risk damaging your cartilage.


What Is A Forward Helix Piercing?


Forward helix ear piercings are on the outer (typically upper) cartilage closest to your face by piercing the forward-facing area above the tragus.


This is a great spot for those who want an easily hidden piercing that can still show off a little bit of personality. A single forward helix piercing is simple and classic, while multiple forward helix ear piercings in this area can create a more dramatic look.


What Is A Double Forward Helix Piercing?


A double forward helix piercing is positioned in the cartilage facing forward, opposite a double helix. It's immediately above your tragus in the cartilage—your ear's front or forward section.


What Is A Tragus Piercing?


The tragus piercing, that tiny flap partially covering the ear canal, can add detail to any curated ear, especially when adorned with a good stud or snug hoop. Why? It's all about that unexpected placement.


A tragus piercing is more painful than a lobe or helix, but only marginally. On the pain scale, we give it a five or six out of 10. Again, it will feel like fire for a moment, and then it should be fine. As for healing time, the tragus usually takes six to nine months but can take up to a year.


What Is An Anti-Tragus Piercing?


The cartilaginous ridge that runs along the top of your lobe is known as the anti-tragus area of the ear. Anti-tragus piercings are cartilage piercings that call for a barbell or ring.


How Painful Is An Anti-Tragus Piercing?


On a scale of one to ten, the anti-tragus-piercing pain factor is between a six and a seven.


What Is A Conch Piercing?


The conch piercing, which resembles the spiral shell of the same name, got its name from its resemblance to a conch. It's quite flexible and may be accented by a cartilage stud for a subtle effect, a double stud (if you're up to it), or even a cuff that hugs around its edge.


When it comes to piercing, you can pierce your inner or outer conch or both: Higher up, parallel to the daith, is the inner conch (the fold of cartilage above your ear canal). The outer conch is lower and closer to your antihelix, the first of two ridges that make up your ear's outer outlines.


The inner conch piercing is when a hole is poked through the center of the ear to make way for a stud. Then there's the outer conch piercing, which allows a hoop earring to go around the outer ridge of the ear's cartilage.


How Bad Do Conch Piercings Hurt?


The pain threshold is similar to other cartilage piercings—four out of 10—and healing takes three to nine months.


While the jewelry you choose is entirely your choice, many people wear a cartilage stud with their inner conch piercing. For the outer conch, it's pretty common to see people with a large hoop for this piercing. The conch is one of the few piercings where you can see the jewelry from the front. So, people tend to use it as an opportunity to make a statement with a large hoop.


What Is An Industrial Piercing?


An industrial ear piercing is a straight barbell that connects one cartilage piercing to another on the top ear.


Are Industrial Piercings Painful?


On the piercings pain scale, industrial ear piercings rank a six out of 10.
Because these cartilage piercings are two rather than one, they are more difficult to heal. Because the two link up via a bar earring, they tend to get irritated frequently and remain that way.


Healing time for an industrial piercing is anywhere from four to six months but can take up to a year. In this case, it's best not to change out your jewelry too frequently, as it will only irritate the piercing more.


What Is A High-Lobe Piercing?


A high-lobe piercing is a great way to liven up the lobe. Above the crux, a high-lobe piercing sits on the upper part of the earlobe, where a traditional ear piercing is.


The level of discomfort with this piercing is only two out of ten since the lobe is so fleshy. While the healing period is typically short, at six to eight weeks, you should not be careless with post-care. Instead, always follow your piercer's instructions for post-care and maintenance after each piercing.
We love a good stud for this piercing. You can go as big or small as you want, and they always look cute.


What Is A Rook Piercing?


A rook piercing, one of the more unusual inner-ear piercings, goes in the inner cartilage, above the daith, and between the inner conch and forward helix.


A tiny hoop best suits a rook piercing, although a bar earring is safer for the initial healing period. The rook is one of those cartilage piercings with a higher chance of getting caught on things and ripped out. If you use a tiny hoop, it has the potential to snag and get pulled out.


Do Rook Piercings Hurt?


The pain level is also pretty high at seven out of 10. The rook is one of those piercings that is not for the faint of heart. A rook piercing can take up to a year to fully heal, so this might not be the piercing for you if you are unwilling to wait it out.


What Is A Standard Lobe Piercing?


A standard lobe piercing is the most popular type of ear piercing. It is a simple puncture through the fleshy part of the earlobe with a needle or a gun. The pain level is only one out of 10, making it the least painful type of ear piercing.


A standard lobe piercing takes six to eight weeks to heal. The healing process is pretty simple and straightforward. You can change your earrings after two months, but it is best to wait a little longer to avoid irritation.


Which Earrings Are Best For Newly Pierced Ears?


There is no definitive answer to this question as it depends on personal preference. However, some people recommend avoiding dangle earrings or hoops for the first few weeks after piercing to reduce the risk of infection. Stud earrings are a good option for newly pierced ears. Once the piercing has healed, you can experiment with different types of earrings to find what you like best.


Wrapping Up


Piercings are a great way to express your personal style. Whether you choose a simple lobe piercing or something more intricate, be sure to do your research and find a reputable piercer. Follow their aftercare instructions to ensure a healthy and speedy healing process. Thanks for reading!