If you are looking for a new piercing or maybe even a first one then we highly recommend the tragus piercing. It was first seen around 1980. It is still a very popular choice among the new generation.
If you don’t know what a tragus piercing is or how to get one, what are the side effects and what is the expected aftercare then you have found the perfect article because today we are going to present you with all the info about tragus piercings that you need to know. So let us jump right into it.
What is a Tragus Piercing?
A tragus piercing is a piercing on the small area of cartilage that partially covers your ear canal. The fleshy lobe is among the most preferred choice to get a piercing but areas of the cartilage can also be used as a great place to get your ears pierced. The tragus piercings look great on almost everyone so you do not have to worry about how it will look.
There are also surface tragus piercings available which only pierces the skin and not the cartilage. If you want, you can go for that one too. However, since the jewelry lies beneath the skin there is a high chance that your body rejects it thinking of it as a foreign object.
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Pain and Healing Time
Well, pain is relative. Different people have different kinds of pain sensitivity. So it really depends on you and your nature but generally speaking the tragus piercings is more like feeling pressure than pain.
The main problem is getting the ear piercing to heal. It is tricky and it gets in the way of using a phone, Bluetooth, or earphone. The germs from these devices can get into the piercing and affect your healing time. It is advised to prevent anything from coming in to contact with your tragus after a few weeks of getting pierced. But generally, it gets healed within 6 – 12 months.
Cost of a Tragus Piercing
This is definitely going to depend on where you are getting your tragus piercing done. The cost of tragus piercings falls within the range of 30 to 50 dollars. The real thing that’s going to cost you is the earring that you have to buy.
We advise that you get the piercing done from a good place with a good reputation. Don’t go for the extremely cheap and shady ones. It is already a tricky enough place to heal, we would advise against taking the chances.
Aftercare
This is extremely important. Any type of piercings requires good aftercare. It’s great to get a new piercing. You might feel excited too but if you do not take care of your aftercare then it can turn into an infection and that will ruin the whole point. In order to avoid such a disaster, you need to focus on aftercare.
You need to clean your piercing twice a day with a saline solution which is sterile. This needs to be done for two to three months. Avoid touching your piercing. Any excessive trauma will hinder the healing process. In simple words, leave your piercing alone unless you are cleaning it!
It’s that simple. Do not touch or play around with it. Avoid soap and shampoo for the first day. You should also apply polysporin to the area and turn your earring once a day, but mind you just once.
Earphones or headphones should be avoided for about 4 to 8 weeks after getting the piercing done. It can be difficult to sleep too because if pressure is applied to the area then the healing process will be hindered and take even longer. So try using travel pillows or sleeping on that side to prevent this from happening.
Side Effects of Piercing
There are certain side effects of getting a tragus piercing. Some are serious while others are not. Not everyone gets a side effect either. But just to be prepared, you need to know about the side effects before going and getting your ears pierced.
1. Infection and Scarring
The area has a low blood supply so this area is more prone to infection or scarring. Getting the piercing done from a good place by a professional and then following the proper aftercare is going to lower your risk of getting these side effects. If you get redness or irritation around your piercing then you need to go see your dermatologist immediately. Don’t just ignore the symptoms.
2. Allergic Reactions
Allergic reactions can be caused by the type of metal in your earring. Nickel, copper, and lower quality gold is said to trigger allergic reactions. If you are sensitive to any kind of metal you should discuss it with a professional before getting an earring.
3. Hypertrophic Scarring
This is caused by the excessive amount of tissue forming over the pierced area. This type is scarring is said to be common among cartilage piercings. This can be bothersome to some people.
4. Blisters
If you see a blister or a bump, it could be some sort of infection or it can be from hypertrophic scarring. It could be a fluid trapped under the piercing. Not all bumps are serious but some are so if you do find bumps or blisters we advise that you go see a doctor.
How to Change Out a Tragus Piercing
It is advised that you change your piercing only after it is healed. After it is healed you can change your tragus piercing but make sure to wash your hands with soap and water first.
The piercing also needs to be cleaned regularly to make sure that no bacteria gets in that area. The steps further will depend on the kind of earrings that you wear, it can be hoop, stud or barbell, etc.
What Type of Jewellery Is Used for Tragus Piercing?
There are several kinds of Jewellery used for tragus piercings. You can choose one According to your preference. We have listed them all below. Take a look.
1. Stud
A small and simple stud is a great option as a tragus earring, to be honest. It is our personal favorite. A ball stud is an awesome choice for a new piercing. It won’t get stuck to hair or clothes. Once your ear piercing heals, you can try out different types and shapes of studs. But let it heal first.
2. Barbell
A barbell is an earring with balls on both ends of a bar. Tragus barbells are smaller than the other kind if barbells. This is a brand new trend and it is a great option as a first earring. It is easy to clean and you can put it in easily too. It looks cool and simple and more people are opting for it more and more.
3. Hoops
This one is an option but not the best option when you just got a piercing. It is a tiny hoop for your tragus piercing but you should wait until your piercing is completely healed to try this out. The Hoops can be extremely simple or it can have different textures and shapes too. You can experiment with them all you want but please do not do that before your piercing is healed.
What Jewelry Material Is Used for Tragus Piercing?
Different kinds of material are used for a tragus piercing. We have listed them below.
1. Stainless Steel
This is a high-quality metal and many piercings are made from stainless steel. But it contains some amount of nickel which is a very common source of irritation and infection. Even the smallest amount of nickel can trigger an infection in a more sensitive person. So if you are not sure about your sensitivity then you should opt for some other option.
2. Gold
It is true that gold earrings can cost a lot. You might be tempted to go for something cheaper but trust us when we say that investing in a good quality earring is worth it. It is ideal for those who have sensitive skin and it also encourages healing. Going to 14-carat gold is a great option.
3. Platinum
This is an alternative to gold. This works fine too and it has been approved by a lot of professionals. It does not contain any nickel and looks very similar to stainless steel. If you are not in for a gold look and want to go for an icy look then this one can be the best option for you.
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Conclusion
We hope that this article has been useful to you. We also hope that you paid attention and got all you needed to know about tragus piercings. We tried our best to include almost everything about tragus piercings that we can find.
If you have given this article a thorough read then you now have all the information that you require to make a good decision. There are obviously some risks involved in getting any kind of piercings and this one is no different.
It is up to you to decide what you are going to do. Whether you are going to put it off or if you are going to go forward with the act of getting a tragus piercing. We support you in your decision.
It is always better to do your research before committing to something. Thank you for giving this article a read. We hope that you get a safe piercing (if you choose to get one). Do recommend this article to others. Have a great day!
