It’s hard to imagine that a single stud in each earlobe was once as daring as it got. Now everyone from Zoë Kravitz to Scarlett Johansson are sporting tragus piercings, crystallising its reputation as one of the most popular ear-piercing searches.
If you're curious about getting a tragus piercing and concerned about healing time and tragus pain, here's everything you need to know.
Charlotte Collins is a professional body piercer at Astrid & Miyu in London.
Laura Bond is the owner and piercer at Laura Bond in Edinburgh.
Svetlana Hristova is the head piercer at Lark & Berry in London.
- What is a tragus piercing?
- How easy is it to get a tragus piercing?
- How painful is a tragus piercing?
- Are tragus piercings hard to heal?
- What is the aftercare like for tragus piercing?
- What can go wrong with a tragus piercing?
- FAQs
- What materials are best for tragus piercings?
- How much are tragus piercings?
- Try these super flattering tragus piercings
At a glance:
Placement: On the small flap of cartilage in front of the ear canal.
Pain: You’re likely to feel it more than a piercing in the lobe.
Healing time: Between 6-12 months.
Aftercare: Keep it clean, avoid touching it or sleeping on the piercing.
What is a tragus piercing?
A tragus piercing is essentially located on the small flap of cartilage that sits in front of the ear canal. According to Astrid & Miyu piercer Charlotte Collins: “It’s for the risk takers and rule breakers who want to make a rebellious statement.” Consider us sold (maybe?).
Our ear anatomy is made up of sci-fi-sounding names such as daith, conch, rook and helix, and we could talk all day about the endless piercing trends people are decorating theirs with. But if you’re just starting out and wondering which piercing to get next, the tragus is by far the quirkiest earring location.
How easy is it to get a tragus piercing?
“A well experienced piercer can perform a tragus piercing easily,” Lark & Berry Piercer Svetlana Hristova tells GLAMOUR. “It isn’t a tricky one if you make sure the needle is straight and the piercing is performed in the perfect spot on that small area – just before the line that’s created when the tragus is bent.”
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Does a tragus piercing hurt?
Tragus piercing pain differs from person to person, but as Svetlana points out, cartilage is thicker than flesh, so you’re likely to feel it more than a piercing in the lobe. That said, most people describe the “pain” as more of a pressure, or a hot flash that lasts a matter of seconds.
With A-list fans such as Rihanna, Zöe Kravitz and Scarlett Johansson all rocking a tragus piercing, it’s too popular to be that painful, right?
How long does a tragus piercing take to heal?
“Having a tragus piercing is a bold choice, but unfortunately it is one of the trickiest ones to heal,” says Svetlana.
Cartilage piercings will generally take longer to heal – around 6-12 months – compared to the lobe, which usually takes around two to four months. The reason for this is that cartilage is avascular, meaning it has no blood supply and is therefore a slow-healing tissue.
Healing time is also dependent on the individual and level of aftercare.
Including where exactly the helix is.
Tragus piercing aftercare
After getting a tragus piercing, it's crucial to follow proper aftercare to ensure a smooth and healthy healing process. Here are some essential aftercare tips for tragus piercings:
- Clean the piercing twice a day: “Like with any piercing, it’s important to keep it clean,” says piercer Laura Bond. “We suggest cleaning with a saline solution twice a day.” Gently clean the pierced area using a saline solution or a mild, fragrance-free soap. Use a cotton swab or pad to remove any discharge or crusting around the piercing site.
- Avoid using alcohol or hydrogen peroxide: Refrain from using alcohol or hydrogen peroxide to clean the piercing, as these can be too harsh and may delay the healing process.
- Avoid touching the piercing: "Try not to touch it unless you have to, washing your hands before you do.” Laura adds. This is of course to prevent the introduction of bacteria.
- Avoid sleeping on the pierced side: To prevent irritation and pressure on the piercing, try to avoid sleeping on the side of the newly pierced tragus. Using a travel pillow or a donut-shaped pillow can help reduce pressure on the area while sleeping.
- Be mindful of hair and makeup products: Ensure that hair products, such as hairspray and gels, as well as makeup, do not come into direct contact with the piercing site. These products can introduce bacteria and cause irritation.
- Avoid swimming or submerging the piercing: Bond also recommends avoiding swimming pools, lakes or using hot tubs for the first couple of months, as they harbour bacteria that could cause infection.
- Wear high-quality, implant-grade jewellery: This is also a major key for a speedier healing without infection.
If you experience any prolonged pain, swelling, or signs of infection, do not hesitate to consult your piercer or a healthcare professional promptly.
New obsession unlocked.
What can go wrong with a tragus piercing?
While it’s not worth losing sleep over the risks if you’re dead-set on a tragus piercing (especially if you use a reputable piercer and follow the aftercare guidelines), there are always possible risks to keep in mind.
“Some people have a very small tragus, which makes it impossible to pierce,” says Svetlana. “Be advised that a piercer has the right to decline your request and not pierce the tragus if they feel that it isn’t safe for you.”
Other risks to be mindful of when having any piercing done include:
- Inflammation and infection: Good aftercare is key. Avoid using makeup in the area, touching with dirty hands, or wearing earphones that might irritate the piercing while it heals. If you have any concerns or suspect an infection, speak to your piercer or seek medical advice.
- Hypertrophic scarring: Fairly common in cartilage piercings due to excess collagen being produced at the site of the piercing, but should gradually improve.
- keloid scarring: An abnormal, raised scar that can spread beyond the original wound. Check for any keloid history in your family before getting a piercing as it’s thought to be genetic.
- Piercing rejection: Usually only an issue with surface piercings, where only the skin is pierced rather than the earring sitting right through the cartilage.
FAQs:
- Can I wear Airpods and earphones with a tragus piercing?
During the healing process (which for a tragus can take between 6-12 months), earphones should be avoided as they can irritate the piercing and lead to infection. “Tragus piercings may not be practical for people who use in-ear headsets or apparatus regularly for work,” adds Charlotte.
Can this piercing really cure migraines?
- Can I sleep on a tragus piercing?
You will want to avoid sleeping on the tragus piercing for the first three to four months, while it heals. Side sleepers should consider getting a special pillow that has a cut-out section for your ear.
What materials are best for tragus piercings?
Below are the metals considered safe for piercing jewellery:
- Implant-grade titanium: strong and biocompatible, it doesn't contain nickel, which some people can be sensitive to.
- Implant-grade stainless steel: Still considered a safe option, but is likely to contain some nickel, which can cause sensitivity in some people.
- Gold and platinum: Safe and hypoallergenic. Spend more on solid gold rather than gold plating if you can, which can flake off and cause infection.
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How much are tragus piercings?
Prices vary depending on the piercer you use and the jewellery you purchase.
For example, Astrid & Miyu charge a flat rate service fee of £20 per 20-minute appointment, which includes a maximum of three piercings. Their jewellery ranges from £35-£55 each (for titanium piercing jewellery) and £100-£195 each (for solid gold piercing jewellery).
Maria Tash charges £35 per tragus piercing and the cost of her conch jewellery ranges from £110 for a solid gold stud earring to £13,095 for a gold diamond spike!
