Today ear piercings placements vary. The days when people got piercings in the earlobe only are long gone.
The tradition of getting piercings is actually more ancient than you could possibly imagine. Archeologists found proof that people pierced their years 5000 years ago. And in primitive tribes people underwent piercings because they were protecting themselves against demons and spirits that could enter their bodies through their ears. It’s the supposition of anthropologists.
Nowadays, piercing is considered to be body art. And both women and men go for it, get multiple piercings and wear various studs and earrings.
Now let’s discover various types of piercings in ears.
Things You Need To Know About Ear Piercings
What Is The Most Painful Ear Piercing?
The most painful ear piercing type is considered to be the industrial one. The thing is that you get your ear pierced in two parts of cartilage, which is already quite sensitive. Besides, it will take you up to nine months to heal it. The conch piercing will hurt a little less than the industrial but is still thought to be one of the most painful. By the severity of pain, it can be compared to a nose piercing. Luckily, the pain will not last long. Snug and rook piercings require pretty much pressure to be done, so they will be quite painful too. The tragus piercing can be referred to as uncomfortable rather than painful. The same we can say about the helix piercing. Even though the daith piercing looks as if it hurts a lot, the pain from it is actually quite tolerable. Finally, the least painful of all ear piercings is the lobe piercing because it does not involve the cartilage but only the flesh.
How To Deal With Infected Ear Piercing?
Ear piercings infection is more common than you can expect. You should never forget that every puncture is a wound in its essence. Thus it takes time to heal. In the meantime, it may get infected, and you need to know how to deal with a potential issue. So, let’s discuss how to heal ear piercings should the inevitable happen and how to prevent the situation.
Are Infected Ear Piercings Common?
Different ear piercings belong to various categories of potentially infectious punctures. If we take the earlobe – it usually heals without any infections and complications. All due to the fact that the area is quite meaty and has a good blood flow. The cartilage, on the other hand, is more prone to infection and takes much longer to heal. You should remember that multiple ear piercings done at one have a greater chance of becoming infected. Although, in most cases, the infections aren’t severe and clear out quickly. The better you care for your new piercing, the sooner it will heal.
Why Do Ear Piercings Become Infected?
Keep in mind that all ear piercings are minor wounds on your body, so if you expose the wound to unfavorable conditions – it will get infected. That is why you should watch out for the following triggers to ensure you cool ear piercings heal as fast as possible:
- The piercing is done by an unsterile instrument or in an unhygienic surrounding.
- Constant exposure to dirt by touching the fresh piercing with unwashed hands.
- Removing the earrings before the puncture is fully healed.
- Skipping on your daily care routines.
- Getting a hot bath or swimming in a pool, or any other potentially contaminated water.
Main Symptoms Of An Infected Ear Piercing
How do you know that the piercings on ear are infected? Watch out for a few common red flags after you get the new ear piercings design. They are the following:
- Any discharge leaking from the wound.
- Increasing fever.
- Swollen and hot to the touch area around the pierced hole.
- Tender earlobe or cartilage.
Primary Complications Of An iInfected Ear Piercing
It has been said that ear piercing infections aren’t long-lasting and quite common. However, that does not mean that you can leave the matter untreated. There are certain complications to be aware of to treat the issue seriously. First and foremost, an infected area can grow into a more serious condition and spread over your body. Another reason to consider preventing the issue is that the piercing may close up on its own to deal with infection naturally.
How Do You Treat An Infected Ear Properly?
The piercer you entrust your ears to should lead you through the main process of how to clean ear piercings before the procedure is carried out. Yet, even simple ear piercings may get infected, and the sooner you start the treatment – the better. There are a few pieces of advice to consider:
- App a warm compress to the area
- Rinse the infected piercing with sterile saline
- Apply an antibiotic lotion to the area
- Take oral antibiotics if needed
How To Prevent An Ear Infection?
In case you don’t want to wonder why do ear piercings smell, you should care for the new puncture well. Take these steps to prevent potential infection:
- Don’t take out the earring before the piercing heals well.
- Wash your hands every time you are about to touch your piercing.
- Cleanse your piercing at least twice a day.
- Use rubbing alcohol or antibiotic cream on the area twice a day.
- Carefully rotate the earring after you apply the antibiotic to help it heal.
Should Ear Piercings Be Symmetrical?
While it can be, it doesn’t have to. If you get your earlobes pierced for the first time, you can make it symmetrical. However, this traditional earring placement can be adjusted according to your preferences. When it comes to the subsequent ear piercing, it is totally up to you to decide where to get it. It pays to say though that many people prefer to place their earrings asymmetrically.
Do You Pierce Both Ears The Same?
While it can be, it doesn’t have to. If you get your earlobes pierced for the first time, you can make it symmetrical. However, this traditional earring placement can be adjusted according to your preferences. When it comes to the subsequent ear piercing, it is totally up to you to decide where to get it. It pays to say though that many people prefer to place their earrings asymmetrically.
How Much Does It Cost To Get Your Ears Pierced?
While the price may vary from a studio to studio, on average, getting your earlobes pierced will cost you around $40-60 including jewelry unless you want statement earrings, which will entail additional expense. Yet, you might also be charged for the piercing of both earlobes at once, as most body piercing studios offer double earlobe piercing.
How Can I Make My Ear Piercing Heal Faster?
-
- Touch your fresh piercing only with clean hands.
- For six or more weeks, don’t remove the earrings from the holes. Otherwise, they will close.
- Keep your piercings clean by washing them daily using water and soap. This will prevent infection from occurring.
- To help the holes remain open, the earrings should be twisted several times a day.
- Clean your piercings with a cotton pad or ball soaked in rubbing alcohol twice daily to avoid scabbing and protect your ears from germs.
- Regularly check out on your piercings to ascertain that they are not puffy, red or sore.
Popular Types Of Ear Piercings
Most Trendy Daith Piercing
There is a very small cartilage fold in a person’s ear, and that is where a piercing called daith is situated. This point connects the top outer ridge and the inner ear, right above its canal.
Due to a very small size of this spot, there might be difficulties in piercing it. And if everything is fine, people tend not to alter their jewelry very often. And again, considering that this place is tiny, you cannot go for a piece of jewelry of a large size.
A daith piercing looks really cool. However, if you go for it, keep in mind that it will heal not that soon. Probably in several months. And it is a huge time period when you will have to take care of it every day.
Many people believe that a daith piercing can assist in relieving migraines. No studies prove it but who knows, maybe one day we will explore some more info about it.
PRICING: $30-$80, and the cost of the earring
PAIN LEVEL: 5/10
HEALING TIME: 6-9 months
Lobe And Upper Lobe Piercing
The lobe and upper lobe piercings are probably the best you can get because of the fast and uncomplicated healing process. Maybe that is why this type of piercing is the most popular in the world. Many people begin with this kind of piercing before getting something less common and more intricate.
Talking of healing, how to know if your piercing is healing correctly? Usually earlobes heal within 6-8 weeks after piercing.
The process of healing consists of several phases. During phase 1, the wound is open and inflamed. Swelling and bleeding is normal. It lasts for about a week. During stage 2, the wound gets strengthened and contracted. This may take from several weeks to several months (depending on the type of piercing). The tissue is still tender and vulnerable and can get torn.
Then the final phase begins – scarring. That’s when no bleeding or swelling will be normal. It’s a brief description and it will all depend on a person’s unique response.
PRICING: $25-50, and the cost of the earring
PAIN LEVEL: 3/10
HEALING TIME: 6-8 weeks
Rook Piercing
Here you can see popular rook ear piercings ideas. Where is the rook piercing placed? To be exact, a rook is higher than an anti-helix and tragus.
If you like these pics but wonder how much agony it could bring to you, do not worry. It will just pinch a bit. Even if your pain tolerance is low, it won’t make you cry. It will just be not that pleasing.
Still, not much pain does not mean that you can pierce that spot by yourself. When it comes to needles, always go pro. An ear is a part of your body, so it is better to treat it with respect.
As for the aftercare, the rook piercing requires the standard procedures, nothing special. Clean the hole regularly with special solution bought in the drugstore. Always do it with clean hands. Do not remove the jewelry till the ear heals.
This type of piercing appears lovely with bead rings or curved barbells.
PRICING: $30-$80, and the cost of the earring
PAIN LEVEL: 6/10
HEALING TIME: 6-12 months
Bold Industrial Piercing
Industrial ear piercings are situated on an ear. And typically this type of piercing involves not just one hole. Instead, there are two holes that go through an ear cartilage. And there is one barbell that links these two holes together. A traditional kind of industrial piercing looks as if a tiny chin up bar was installed across the upper part of a person’s ear. But such a placement is not a must. Other placements are common too when we are talking about industrial body piercing. Also, it’s for you to decide if it will run horizontally or vertically.
How much pain will industrial piercing cause? Well, there will be two holes, which means double pain, even if tolerable. However, you shouldn’t be scared. It passes though a cartilage, and this spot does not have many nerve endings. So, the pain will not be super overwhelming.
When it’s done, you will feel some ache for several days. A wet and cold washcloth could help you relieve the pain a bit.
These piercings are commonly connected with one barbell.
PRICING: $30-$100, and the cost of the earring
PAIN LEVEL: 5-7/10
HEALING TIME: 4-6 months
Cute Conch Piercing
Conch ear piercings and cartilage piercings are the same because the central cartilage of an ear is pierced. This spot occupies much cartilage. It is called a conch because it resembles the conch shell.
People get their outer conch or inner conch pierced. The lower area is usually named an inner conch, and the higher area is called an outer conch.
What earrings work great for this type of orbital piercing? Well, the conch piercing grants you much freedom in terms of jewelry for it. Many kinds of jewelry will do – hoops, barbells, studs, etc.
However, we would recommend that the first jewelry piece that you choose is not too heavy. Otherwise, it could make the process of healing more time-consuming. But usually professional piercers know what gauge will work best. Just follow your piercer’s advice and everything will turn out fine.
As for the metal of the jewelry piece, choose the one that will not cause any allergic reaction. Or it will take more time for the spot to heal.
PRICING: $30+, and the cost of the earring
PAIN LEVEL: 6/10
HEALING TIME: 3-9 months
Tragus Piercings
Tragus piercing is different from all the other ear piercings in many ways. First of all, you think about the location, and you couldn’t be more right, the location is quite unique. But, apart from that, your tragus has almost no nerve endings which will make it nearly painless to pierce. However, the area itself is very thick, and you will surely feel a lot of pressure while getting it pierced. When all is done, you still need to take proper care of the newly pierced, and it will pay you off by looking absolutely stunning!
PRICING: $30-$40, and the cost of the earring
PAIN LEVEL: 4/10
HEALING TIME: 6-12 months
Anti-Tragus Piercing
Anti tragus is an ear piercing type that you get by puncturing your anti tragus, which is the curved cartilage hovering the lobe of your ear. As it is located in front of the ear tragus, it is called the anti tragus respectively. Since micro studs and constellations have become incredibly popular lately, the anti tragus piercings are considered one of the trendiest ear piercings. Yet, they are not the fastest to heal and can be a bit painful. In some cases, this ear piercings healing time may take months, while the pain level is usually described as relatively moderate. The price for anti tragus piercing varies from $30 to $180, not including the cost of the jewelry. Though, all the effort will pay you off with different ear piercings styles that will make everyone’s jaw drop.
PRICING: $30-$180, and the cost of the earring
PAIN LEVEL: 6/10
HEALING TIME: 6-12 months
Helix (Cartilage) Piercings
There are some piercings that are common, and there are those which are entirely unique, and it does not mean that the placing is unusual there is always something else. For example helix piercing, is not just the usual skin piercing to which you may be used to, but a cartilage piercing. What does that mean? Well, there are a couple of things to take into consideration, the thing is that cartilage is a lot denser than skin, and it will take some time and, of course, pain, for it to heal. Also, helix piercing should be adequately cared for after it is done otherwise it may result in something not really pleasant. There is no estimated level of pain to endure or time to heal – since these things are relevant and personal. However, you should be ready to go through a lot during the first two weeks after the procedure. In case you are okay with that then you should opt for this exceptional kind of ear piercing!
Now you know everything about ear piercings. Don’t go away and check out more interesting posts.
PRICING: $30-$75, and the cost of the earring
PAIN LEVEL: 5-7/10
HEALING TIME: 3-6 months
Snug Piercing (Anti-Helix)
The snug piercing is among the most painful piercing types, as it suggests puncturing your anti helix, the area between the inside ear cartilage and the outer rim, and threading a piece of jewelry through it. When it comes to pricing, the jewelry for anti helix piercing may cost anywhere from $56 to 113. Though, it is not the pain level, which is almost the highest possible, or price tag that makes this type of ear piercings not suitable for everyone, but the fact that the shape of your ear may just not allow space for it. It does not mean however that you should not get it. If you can tolerate pain and your ani helix is protruding enough for the piercing to be installed, then you can never go wrong with the snug piercing. You can rest assured that your ear piercing will look one of a kind, thus drawing ultimate attention to it. Besides, you can curate your ear so that it expresses your taste and style like no other.
PRICING: $50-$120, and the cost of the earring
PAIN LEVEL: 9/10
HEALING TIME: 5-12 months
Orbital Piercing
Orbital ear piercings require two punctures – an entry hole and an exit one. But, unlike the industrial piercing, you insert a small hoop in the punctures rather than a bar. Apart from the chic look, the healing time, which is on average between 8 and 10 weeks, is another benefit this type of piercing offers you. What is more, it will not hurt as much as some of the other ear piercing types, especially if you place it in your earlobe, not cartilage. The pricing may differ from place to place with the starting price about $30. It also depends on the jewelry type you are going to choose. Thus, if it is made of 14 Karat gold, the jewelry will cost you more than surgical steel pieces.
PRICING: $30+, and the cost of the earring
PAIN LEVEL: 4-6/10
HEALING TIME: 8-10 months
Multiple Piercings
When everything is healed, you still need to take care of ear lobes or other pierced parts. First of all, remember that earrings must be left in till the wounds heal completely. So, don’t take the earrings off for about a month, maybe a bit more. Otherwise, you may have to get your ears re-pierced.
Always keep your ears clean because germs may cause infection. The wound must be cleaned with a special antibiotic ointment or cleaning solution for 2 times every day. And of course, this must be done with clean hands. When the ointment or solution is applied, the earring must be rotated very gently for the wound to soak in the anti-germ help.
When the wounds heal, it’s advisable to remove the earrings before going to sleep. Let your ears rest. Also, all new earrings must be cleaned with rubbing alcohol.
Ear Piercings Aftercare Tips
Proper ear piercing care is essential for your ear new piercing to heal fast and successfully. You do not want it to get infected and surgically removed, do you? So that it will not happen, make sure to stick to these tips:
-
-
- Do not touch your fresh piercing with your hands if you have not washed them beforehand. And avoid touching the piercing without the need at all.
- Do not take out the starter earring until the piercing is completely healed. This may take anywhere from 6 weeks to 3 months or longer. Otherwise, the hole may simply close.
- Clean the piercing daily to decrease the risk of it getting infected. Here is how to clean ear piercings: wash them with water and soap or saline solution. Then pat dry with a paper towel.
- As holes sometimes close even when the jewelry is inserted into them, it should be twisted several times a day.
- Soak a cotton pad with rubbing alcohol and wipe the area around the piercing. Not only will this keep bacteria at bay but it will not let the wound scab as well.
- In case you have noticed that the piercing is too swollen, burning or oozing liquid that is yellow or red, do not postpone visiting the doctor.
-
- Body piercing, which is a form of body modification, is the practice of puncturing or cutting a part of the human body, creating an opening in which jewelry may be worn, or where an implant could be inserted. Source
- While the result of piercing your ears is glamorous, actually piercing your ears can be tricky and a bit risky.Source
FAQ: Ear Piercings
How many piercings can you fit on one ear?
Professionals recommend do not test your limits and only get 2-3 piercings at once. So it is important to space and position your piercings in a way that allows more to be added later. Theoretically you can fit up to 13 piercings on one ear.
How to fix uneven ear piercings?
It is a simple procedure where it is possible to have the hole closed surgically under local anesthesia and then re-pierced several weeks after. Another option is to go to the professional and have them do another piercing that would align and even the general composition out.
What is the most uncommon ear piercing?
Forward helix piercings is the most uncommon ear piercing. It is where your cartilage gets pierced which causes more pain than your normal lobe piercing. Moreover, it takes longer to heal, about 3 to 6 month depending on individual characteristics of a person, but once healed, it is easy to maintain.
