Rook Piercing Questions and Answers: Everything You Need to Know

A nav piercing is one of the most versatile cartilage piercings available. He has several different types of jewelry, from hoops to barbells. The rook makes an impression both on its own and as an accent on other ear piercings. 

What is a rook piercing? 

Boat piercing is a vertical puncture of the cartilage of the antihelix of the ear. Simply put, this is a piercing of the uppermost inner ridge of the ear. Boat piercings are usually 14 or 16 gauge, depending on the protrusion of your anti-helix. Rook piercings are common and a skilled professional can safely complete the piercing in less than ten minutes. 

How much does a rook piercing hurt?

A rook piercing must penetrate two layers of cartilage, so it can cause more pain than other cartilage piercings. As always, pain is subjective, and on our Piercing Pain Scale, people rate rook piercings between 5 and 6 out of 10. Luckily, the process is fast and the sting dulls quickly once completed. 

How long does a rook piercing take to heal?

Primary cartilage healing in a navicular piercing is about 6 months. Complete healing of the area may take 12 to 18 months. It depends on your individual body type and how careful you are about caring for and cleaning your piercing.

Keeping your hands away from the new piercing will help you heal faster. Touching, pulling, or pressing on the puncture site can cause inflammation and slow healing. Luckily, this piercing is harder to agitate or push than other ear piercings as it sits deeper in the ear.

How to clean a cartilage piercing to prevent infection? 

A rook piercing can become infected, but regular cleaning reduces the risk. Here are the steps to take to keep your piercing clean:

• Create a sterile saline solution by dissolving the non-iodized salt in distilled water.
• Heat the mixture on the stovetop or in the microwave until it is warm or body temperature.
• Absorb the solution with a cotton swab or clean cloth and apply to both ends of the piercing for a few minutes.
• Gently wipe off the crust, blood, or pus with your compress. Otherwise, do not move the piercing.

To minimize the risk of infection, for the first month or two, clean the affected area three to four times a day, and then reduce to once in the morning and evening until complete healing.

What are the different types of rook piercing jewelry?

Rook piercing jewelry comes in a variety of styles to suit any style, whether you want to look sophisticated or make a statement. Decorations include: 

• Studs
• Rings
• Hoops
• ball rings
• beaded rings
• dumbbell

Each of these varieties is available in an endless number of styles in both 14 and 16 gauge. While the piercing is healing, most piercers recommend wearing a simple barbell, but there is no limit after that!

 As with any ear jewelry, it is important to choose quality materials. For comfort and safety, choose lightweight and hypoallergenic piercing metals such as surgical titanium or gold.

Get a cartilage piercing in Newmarket

Whether it's your first piercing or one of many, a rook piercing is a great option for any ear. At Pierced, our piercers perform professional piercings in a safe and hygienic environment. Book your piercing today or visit us in Newmarket at the Upper Canada Mall.