It's called a tragus piercing. See the picture below.
Did it Hurt?
Check out the video at the end of this post. A tragus piercing hurts less than a very heavy book falling on your toe. Hahaha. In a nutshell, I think 30-45 seconds of moderate pain is a small price to pay for a nice piercing.
Why did you pierce your tragus?
I pierced my tragus for the same reason I pierced my earlobes...twice. I thought it was cute. lol.
How long does it take to heal?
It's hard to say since this varies from person to person. I did both ears and one healed about 4 months before the other which superficially healed after 4 weeks. In general though, it should take about 6-12 months to fully heal. Most people suggest waiting at least 6 months to change your ring.
What size needle/gauge should I ask for?
You should really read up on gauges. It's too much for me to get into right now. Nevertheless
How do you care it while it's healing?
Melt a few crystals of sea salt (no iodine) into warm water. Next apply it using a cotton swab. Be sure to get the water in the front and back of the piercing. Do this in the morning and in the night and remember to never touch your piercing with dirty hands. Frankly, avoid touching it any at all.
What do I do if I get a bump at my piercing site or have an infected tragus piercing?
If you notice a bump on your piercing or any oozing from infection, follow the previous cleansing routine. Next, use a cotton swab to lightly dry the site, then follow up with a dab of tea trea oil on the front and back. You will Do this at morning and night. DO NOT REMOVE THE RING IF YOU HAVE A BUMP. It will possibly never go away and you will leave the piercing site even more susceptible to infection.
When can I change my ring?
I changed mine after about 4 months but it's best to wait between 6 and 12 months.
Why not? Hehehe. As you can see in the picture above, you can't see the piercing head on. So you're only seeing one at a time anyway. So I figured, why not pierce both. I think it's just the cutest thing so I like it to be seen as much as possible.
Tips!
- While waiting on your piercing to heal, wear your hair up and away from your ears so that you don't get oil or other bacteria/products from your hair up against it. Sadly, my hair snagged out my piercing a few too many times.
- Get a ring with a hook on the end or use a hoop earring. It lessens the likelihood of your hair pulling your ring out. Talk to your piercer to discuss your options before you get started.
- Go to a professional shop. Do not attempt this on your own and do not use alchohol to try to heal your piercing. Simply put, it doesn't work.
Thanks for this I always wanted one and had no idea what it was called
ReplyDeleteHi Lu P. I'm glad I could be of help.
ReplyDeleteQuick question. I have had my tragus pierced for a little over a week now. It hasn't caused me pain except for today. I think I may have bumped it during my sleep because when I smile, I feel a bit of pain. I soaked it just now in some warm sea salt mixture my piercer told me to use and it seems to have made it feel better. It is not red or oozing anything, just a bit swollen. Does this sound normal? This will be the second time for the right one and I've had my left one done once. Both of the first times the piercer was incompetent and messed it up, I really have hope for this time as I really do love it.
ReplyDeleteHi Nyxy. Everything sounds normal to me. I hope everything goes well this time around. Also, remember to use that warm sea salt mixture even if everything seems fine. You should have been using it before you hurt your piercing. It prevents from the bacterial infections we can't detect before it's too late. Good luck again! :)
DeleteYeah I have been using it all week, woke up this morning and its more swollen still not red tho. Not sure what to think.
ReplyDeleteWell, you can always go back to or call your piercer for a second opinion. It can't hurt. I hope it all works out.
DeleteGot some tea tree oil gonna try that with the salt mix. If it's not better by Monday I will go to piercer. Thanks for all your help.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome! Be sure to apply the salt mix, let it dry, then apply the tea tree to front and back. Take care and let me know how it works out in a couple of weeks.
DeleteI have to tell you. A couple of applications of tea tree oil made a world of difference. It is healing beautifully now. No swelling to speak of and absolutely no pain even when I move, accidentally bump it, whatever. You gave great advice and I am so thankful to have found your post. Thanks a ton!!
Deletei'm extremely happy to hear that. Kudos to you for sticking through.
DeleteI got my piercing done about 3weeks ago and I notice that it's starting to swell a little, I use alcohol to clean it twice a day, the first time I got it done it swelled up and the earring went through the hole, I don't want that to happen again what should I do
ReplyDeleteI have the bump on my ear. I've had my tragus piercing for awhile now but should I wait for the bump to go away before I change the earring?
ReplyDeleteHello Anonymous. You will need to consider a number of things.
Delete1. How many months has your tragus been pierced?
2. Has it fully healed?
3. Do you have the appropriately sized ring to insert?
4. Is there any irritation at the site?
You should not have a bump if your piercing healed properly and you consulted your piercer early on. There is never hard in giving them a call.
My best advice is that you should go back to the piercer and ask them to change the ring and let you know whether it is ready.
Thanks for reading.
Hey I got my tragus pierced about two months ago and it has been hell ever since. It has done nothing but bleed, ooze gunk, and stay sore. I clean it religiously. But now I have huge red bumps on inside and out. Kindof gross looking. The one on the front kindof resembles a blood blister. What should I do?
ReplyDeleteI've pretty much answered this question in past comments but I strongly recommend you go back to your piercer or to a doctor.
DeleteDO NOT remove the ring when there is a bump. A professional will have to take a look at it.
Hi I had my tragus done a little over two months ago I have had no pain. No swelling or discomfort. All I have had is itching which is hardto not itch. I used a solution given at the time of the piercing but I used it 3 tines a day for 6 weeks and silly I cause it ti kinda burn the skin around the front so I contacted my piercer who is very rude and difficult to speaj with. I was told im cleaning to much so I took it to once a day with salt water soaks. This has made a big difference although I cabt seem to not have a day where it does not itch. I still seemed to have this very small raisee area that was not red but more of a pink colour. I decided to try tea tree oil neat just a dap on the raised area. Aftrr 2 days it was basically gone and it looked my natural skin colou. The next night I accidently slept on it which did not hurt but it made it go pink again. I used tea tree after my salt soak but got a really sharpe itch. I did the same again today but its not itching much and its goind down in colour. I really love ny piercing but do get concerned if im doing anything wrong. Its not infected its not painful its just a small patch a little pink and slightly raised. Is this normal and what would u advise? I have a titanium bar which I won't change from. I did try to change just the ball for adifferent ccolour but for sone reason it does not want to unscrew so I have given up.
ReplyDeleteHi, like to check with u as I had my piecing done yesterday and today feel abit of tingling pain. Is it normal? Also if I use NaCl to wash my tragus can I soak the cotton with it and place it on my stub. Do I still need to raise away the NaCl before applying tea tree oil? Can tea tree oil reduce pain? Do I need to diluted the tea tree oil before apply on my tragus. Sorry if I have some much question cos I had my nose piecing but the pain is lesser the tragus piercing. Last when can I start to rotate my stub. Thks
ReplyDelete