Tragus piercing is a type of ear piercing that involves perforation of the small, cartilaginous flap of tissue that covers the ear canal. The tragus is located just above the earlobe and below the outer part of the ear.
Tragus piercings are becoming more popular as a fashion statement and can be adorned with a variety of studs, rings, and other decorative pieces. The piercing can take several months to fully heal, and proper aftercare is necessary to avoid infection and other complications.
Assuming you’re searching for another embellishment, you might want to consider getting an ear piercing (one or two or even more depending on what you like). One of our top picks is the tragus piercing seen on many known celebrities worldwide, including Miley Cyrus, Jessica Alba, Kelly Rowland, Zoe Kravitz, and many others. The good thing about this is that it looks great on anyone. So whether you’re looking for something inconspicuous or tense, there are varieties of options you can choose from, provided your ear is suitable for it because due to its placement in the body, it’s not suitable for everyone.
This article will serve as a guide to help you discover more about getting a tragus piercing, such as the different types of tragus piercing, how long it takes for piercings to heal, level of pain to anticipate, recommended jewelry, cost, among other things. It will also help you decide if a tragus piercing is right for you.
What is Tragus Piercing?
If you have never heard of the word “Tragus” before and have been trying to figure out what it is, it is the thick piece of flesh that covers the opening of the ear, or you can say ear canal. Its size and shape vary from one individual to another. Some persons have a pronounced tragus, while others barely have one at all. The tragus of the ear consists of a thin layer of flexible cartilage, and it is said that having a tragus symbolizes that one is very lively and energetic. Regardless of why you want to have a tragus piercing, there are a few things you should bear in mind before going ahead to get one, such as;
- How to care for the tragus piercing
- How much it hurts to be sure you can bear the pain
- How it’s done
In as much as getting a tragus piercing adds beauty and changes one look, there is also some risk involved in getting this piercing done, such as;
- Infections: There is the risk of getting an infection since that area is known to have a low blood supply, thereby making it prone to infection.
- Hypertrophic scarring: This is when a bump forms around the pierced area due to excessive tissue.
- Keloids: These are raised scars.
- Allergic reactions: Some people are allergic to different types of metal such as cheap gold, copper, nickel. If you are allergic to any of this, it’s always best to discuss it first before going ahead to get a piercing.
- Blisters: This could be an infection or abscess fluid that forms under the piercing. Although many do not take this seriously, it is crucial to seek the advice of a medical practitioner if you notice anything unusual.
The Various Types Of Tragus Piercing
There are various types of tragus piercing to suit your taste or what you want. Below are the various types of tragus piercing to help you decide on what you want before getting any piercing.
1. Tragus Piercing
A standard tragus piercing rests on the little fold of the ligament that covers your ear canal.
2. Double Tragus Piercing
The double tragus piercing is situated in a similar spot as a single tragus piercing done on the fold of ligament that covers the ear canal, only that this one requires two separate piercings.
3. Vertical Tragus Piercing
This piercing is also similar to the standard tragus piercing, only that in this vertical piercing, you are creating two holes for the piercing to go through, which can cause more pain because it’s not just one spot but two spots that are going to be pierced open.
4. Anti-Tragus Piercing
This type of tragus piercings is situated on the opposite side of the tragus, just a little above your ear lobe.
What Type Of Tragus Piercing Jewelry Is Recommended?
When choosing the jewelry to use, be sure to use a piece of jewelry that is safe for sensitive skin. They may be quite expensive, but they will help in the healing process as cheap jewelry exposes the piercing to infection and might be rejected by your body. Ensure the jewelry you use is either stainless steel, high-quality gold, or platinum.
The tragus piercing is mostly 16G, although the sizes also range around 18G – 14G depending on individual inclination, just as the size of your tragus. It’s always simpler to extend a piercing than to shrivel it.
There are different types and styles of jewelry that can be worn with a tragus piercing, although it can also be rejected by the body, especially when it has not healed properly. These jewelry are of different shapes and designs, which help add beauty by providing different looks to the wearer. Below are some lists of jewelry to consider when you have a tragus piercing or are considering getting one.
1. Hoops
Hoops are said to be perfect for cute tragus jewelry because they cling perfectly to the cartilage of your ear. The normal size for a tragus hoop normally ranges from 5mm- 8mm, it all depends on your body structure and whether you like it to be tight or have a loose-fitting such that it dangles down a little.
2. Studs
Studs are actually an excellent choice for tragus piercing simply because they are very comfortable to wear and come in different styles and sizes depending on what you like or what compliments any other type of piercing you have.
3 Labret Studs
A labret stud has a flat disc on the bottom, a straight shaft, and afterward, the gems of decision at the other hand. The end can have a charm, spike, bead, and many other designs. These types of jewelry are used for small gauge sizes. Since the tragus is just in a small part of the ear, the labret stud is just perfect for it as it is flat and won’t rub on the skin.
4. Microdermals
The microdermals are little embeds that can go almost anywhere in the body. This type of adornment rests level with the skin not poking out from the body. The gem has a bent bar at the base formed like an “L,” which slips underneath the skin. The jewelry can have a spike, gemstone, star, bead, etc.
5. Captive Bead Rings
The captive bead ring, also called a ball closure ring, is a metal ring with a single bead connecting the ends. This adornment looks like a total circle having different sizes and can be uniquely crafted to suit individual tastes. They have charms and jewels and are available in many colors and shapes like hearts, skulls, or lizards.
6. Barbells
This design was created by Jim Ward in the 1970s. The Barbell is a shaft of metal with a bead on each end. It has dangling charms, and the shaft can be changed into shapes or designs. Below are the types of Barbells
- Straight barbells have a straight shaft
- Curved barbell has a shape like a half-circle and is mainly used for vertical tragus piercing.
- Circular barbells are similar to the captive bead rings, only that they have two beads.
- The horseshoe barbell is like the circular barbell, only that the closures are straight, making it resemble a horseshoe.
In conclusion, there is no particular recommended tragus piercing jewelry as it all depends on individual choice and preferences but make sure that whichever one you choose suits you.
Does Tragus Piercing Hurt?
The tragus of the ear is comprised of a thick layer of flexible cartilage. This implies that there are fewer thick tissues filled with nerves that can cause pain, unlike other areas of the ear. The tragus piercing, to some degree, sure hurts as it is one of the thicker parts of the ear, meaning your piercer will need to apply more strain to the place because cartilage is tougher to penetrate than ordinary flesh.
Although the pain and discomfort vary from one individual to another, for some, it may just feel like an ordinary sting, while for others, it might just be a very painful experience. If your piercer is not experienced, it can cause injury, which, if not well treated, can get infected and spread to the other ear with so much pain and discomfort. So if you are the nervous type or one that cannot withstand the slightest pain, go find yourself an experienced piercer who is patient enough to ease you through the whole process.
Generally, the tragus heals very fast such that you may likely not feel any pain again a few minutes after the piercing has been done.
What Is Tragus Piercing Healing Time?
As mentioned above, the tragus wound from piercing heals very fast. However, many things play a role in determining the healing time of a tragus piercing. For instance, if the tragus gets infected from the piercing along the line, then the healing time will be longer. Although the estimated time duration for the healing process to finish taking place is between 2 months to 3 months or more, it all depends on how well you care for it.
Some people’s piercing might take up to 6 months to 12 months to fully get healed. So watch out for your piercing and converse with a professional piercer assuming you’re uncertain if you are completely healed, not forgetting that even if the piercing looks healed externally, it may, in any case, still have some healing to do inside.
How To Take Out Tragus Piercing
To effectively carry out a tragus piercing, the piercer should be a professional and ought to endeavor to follow these points to ensure it is done right and does not get infected.
- Clean the tragus properly with disinfectant.
- The area to be pierced can be marked with a non-toxic pen.
- Sterilize a needle and insert it into the labeled area, ensure it comes out on the other side.
- Insert the chosen jewelry into the piercing.
- Endeavor to stop the bleeding from the piercing.
- Clean the pierced surface again with clean water and disinfectant to ensure it is totally clean.
How To Clean Tragus Piercing
If you notice any of the following for the first one week after getting your piercing, do not panic as it is some of the normal symptoms to expect:
- Redness
- Light or Yellowish crusts around the piercing
- Discomfort or sensitivity around the piercing
- Warmth around the area
Below are some tips on how to care for your piercing in other to avoid it getting infected:
- Wash your hands properly with soap and water before touching the piercing to avoid bacteria from getting into the area.
- Ensure not to immerse the piercing in water for at least 3 weeks from the day you had the piercing done.
- Use a clean cloth or cotton wool to dab the piercing dry to avoid scrapping or tissue damage.
- Soak the piercing in salt and warm water solution and dab with a dry clean, soft cloth. Do this at least once a day.
- Avoid the use of alcohol-based cleaners on the piercing
- Avoid the use of shampoo, soap, or any disinfectant on the piercing on the first day, most especially.
- Ensure not to be too rough with the jewelry or remove it for at least 3 months or more, depending on when the piercing is fully healed.
How Much Does Tragus Piercing Cost?
The cost of getting a Tragus piercing done varies. It relies mainly on where you are getting it done. The estimated price is said to fall around $30 to $50. Most times, the inward ear ligament piercing is almost the same price. Jewelry price is also another factor that affects the price, although jewelry prices vary according to the number of diamonds on it.
Does Tragus Piercing Help With Migraines?
There have been claims by many people saying tragus piercing and also daith piercing could help in soothing migraine pain and prevent headaches from occurring. It is very likely that this utilization of cartilage piercing as a treatment for migraines and headaches originated from Acupuncture which is a type of Chinese conventional medication that involves embedding needles into explicit areas on the body to help treat various ailments. In general, there has been no scientific evidence or proof to back up these claims of tragus piercing helping to soothe migraines.
