Answers to your questions about cartilage piercing

What is an ear cartilage piercing?

Cartilage piercings differ from flesh piercings (such as earlobe, eyebrow, or earlobe piercings) because the piercing goes through both cartilage and skin.

Cartilage is a connective tissue that is harder than skin but softer than bone. Cartilage piercing is usually done with a needle, after which jewelry is inserted. For this reason, cartilage piercings usually take longer to heal than regular flesh piercings.

Types of ear cartilage piercing

Date Piercing

This piercing is located in the innermost crease of the ear cartilage.

Forward Helix

This piercing is close to the head in the cartilage above the tragus.

Helix piercing

These piercings are located on the part of the ear that curves along the outer edges of the ear. Industrial helical piercings pass through this part of the ear twice.

Conch piercing

They are located in the middle of the cartilage of the ear.

Orbital piercing

These piercings go through the same piece of cartilage in the ear. The entry and exit of the piercing is visible at the front of the ear.

Neat piercing

This piercing goes through both the inside and outside of the ear, and its placement can vary.

Tragus piercing

A tragus piercing is done on a small piece of cartilage that protrudes above the earlobe.

Tragus Piercing

This piercing is located in the cartilage above the lobe.

Does cartilage piercing hurt?

A cartilage piercing is likely to be slightly more painful than a skin piercing, since you are making a hole in the cartilage. Everyone experiences pain differently, and often the anticipation of a piercing is more uncomfortable than the piercing itself. The best thing to do to prepare is to remember that piercing discomfort is temporary, and once the moment has passed, you will have an amazing new piercing to admire.

Types of jewelry for cartilage piercing

Due to the popularity of cartilage piercings, there are many options for cartilage jewelry. When choosing a cartilage piercing, the most important thing is to make sure it is of good quality. Here are some types of jewelry that will look great with a cartilage piercing:

Hoops

Hoops come in solid colors or patterned and both can look great.

Poles and studs

Studs can look great with cartilage piercings and come in a variety of styles and colors.

Circular bars

This is a half ring style that goes through the ear so that each end is visible. They often have a bead at each end.

captive beads

This is a popular hoop choice. They vary in size and have one bead in the middle.

Cuff bracelets

Cuffs work well with many cartilage piercings and are truly versatile in terms of design and style, making them a great choice.

industrial bar

They usually pass through the ear twice and come in a variety of styles.

How to care for a cartilage piercing

Cartilage piercings should be cared for just like any other piercing. A cartilage piercing may take a little longer to heal than a skin piercing, and you may feel slightly more swelling.

For a cartilage piercing to heal beautifully, be sure to follow a few simple steps:

• Avoid touching or playing with your cartilage piercing for too long, especially if you haven't thoroughly washed your hands before doing so.
• Use natural, skin-sensitive products to gently clean the piercing, especially while it is healing. Warm saline works great when applied with a cotton swab or Q-tip.
• When wiping your piercing, use a clean paper towel.
• Leave your original jewelry while the piercing heals.

Any piercing can be susceptible to infection, so be sure to follow the care tips above to minimize any risk. You may notice that a bump forms around the puncture site from the cartilage puncture. If you're concerned about an infected cartilage piercing, talk to your doctor or piercer.

Ready for your next cartilage piercing?

If you have a question about an ear cartilage piercing and you are in Newmarket, Ontario or the surrounding areas, stop by to chat with a member of the team. You can also call the Pierced team today and we'll try to answer any questions you may have.