Tragus Piercing: The Definitive Guide (Answers & Gallery)

Although tragus piercing has been on the stage for a long time, it still remains popular today. Because, it is a delicate, minimalist, and extremely stylish accessory as well as simple. Also, a tragus perfectly accompanies other ear piercings. You can create magnificent curations by using this piercing.

A tragus piercing is very suitable for your first ear piercing experience. It is possible to make a significant difference in your style with a little stud. Also, celebrities like Scarlett Johansson and Rihanna have already fallen under the spell of this piercing. All you have to do is find an experienced piercer. A professional body modification artist will also guide you to the most suitable tragus piercing jewelry for your ear anatomy.

It is a perfect idea to enrich your earring stack with a chic tragus piercing. We are excited to share the best and latest tragus piercing ideas in this gallery. Also, you will find all the information you need about this piercing below. Take a quick look.

What Is The Tragus Piercing?

Tragus is the small flap of cartilage that partially covers your ear canal. It is on the side of your face. A piercing that is located in this small triangle-shaped piece of cartilage is called the tragus piercing.

The anatomy and shape of the tragus vary from person to person. Some people have a very prominent piece of cartilage, while in others it is indistinct. Therefore, your piercer should be careful when it is determined the location of your hole.

Oldies but goldies. Tragus piercing is one of the core body modifications that first originated in the 1980s. It has become very popular after being presented to piercing enthusiasts in PFIQ magazine. However, it also was known before.

Tragus Piercing Variations

Surface Tragus Piercing

A surface tragus piercing is a skin piercing, not cartilage. It is placed a half inch away from your tragus. A curved barbell is usually preferred as jewelry. Because the jewelry is under the skin, the risk of rejection is higher.

Double or Triple Tragus Piercing

Double or triple tragus piercing actually refers to multiple piercings in the tragus area. Your piercer will create multiple holes at the appropriate positions. If the ring is a jewelry alternative for you, the position of the piercings is very important.

Vertical Tragus Piercing

Vertical tragus piercing is placed on the triangular-shaped cartilage as same as a standard tragus. However, the cartilage is pierced in a vertical plane, not horizontally. Piercers usually prefer a curved barbell for a vertical tragus. If you want a unique piercing, you can consider this variation.

Anti-Tragus Piercing

Anti-tragus piercing sits opposite the tragus. The body modification artist pierces the ridge of the inner cartilage that is right on top of your earlobe. This is a stylish piercing alternative for piercing enthusiasts who want a rare accessory. There are jewelry alternatives such as rings and barbells.

How To Apply A Tragus Piercing?

Tragus piercing is a simple piercing. It is easy to do. Of course, it is important that you should make sure that your piercer provides sterilization. He or she should wear gloves and clean your tragus with an alcohol swab before your ear is pierced.

A cannula needle is a convenient tool to pierce a tragus. Also, it will assist to insert jewelry into the hole. Besides that, a receiving tube can be used to catch the needle.

The receiving tube is placed underneath your tragus. Then, the piercer pierces your tragus with a cannula needle. After the needle goes through, the piercer pulls the needle out and leaves the plastic sleeve. the jewelry is put at the end of the plastic sleeve and the piercer slides it into the hole. Forceps can be useful to control jewelry. Finally, the jewelry is secured and the process is completed.

Is A Tragus Piercing Painful?

It is a little bit confusing. Because everyone who has their tragus pierced describes the pain differently. We can say that how much it hurts is relative. When it comes to tragus piercings you can expect an average value on the pain scale. Also, if you’ve had your cartilage pierced before, this can give you an idea of the pain.

Many people who have a tragus piercing describe the experience during the piercing process as a pressure or a crunching sound rather than pain. It is certain that you will have specific sensations while the needle goes through your tragus. These feelings are totally unique to you. The pain varies according to your pain threshold.

If you’re worried too much, we have some advice. Choosing an experienced piercer will be beneficial for a comfortable piercing process. In addition, You can ask your piercer to use an anesthetic spray.

How Much Does A Tragus Piercing Cost?

The price of a tragus piercing depends on the location and popularity of the piercing studio where you will get your tragus pierced. However, on average you can expect to pay between $30 and $60 excluding jewelry. The total cost will vary depending on the types of jewelry your piercer has. If you choose jewelry made from high-quality and expensive materials, it may cost over $100 for just the jewelry.

Prices aren’t exact. For this reason, it is a good idea to call the piercing shop to get information about prices before making an appointment. When making a consideration, we recommend that you pay attention to the experience and reliability of the piercer you prefer rather than what you will pay. In this way, you can eliminate damage and other risks that may occur with an inappropriate tragus piercing.

Aftercare Process For A Tragus Piercing

We’re sure you don’t want your eye-catching new accessory to turn into a nightmare. Tragus piercing requires genuine care and responsibility as with other ear piercings. Therefore, it is important to follow some aftercare instructions until your piercing is fully healed.

You can use a mild soap such as Dove Sensitive Skin to gently wash your piercing once a day. Also, it is possible to clean your tragus with a saline solution a couple of times a day. You can also use an aftercare spray like NeilMed if your piercer recommends it. Always be sure to wash your hands before cleaning your tragus piercing.

Don’t touch your piercing except for cleaning. Any pressure may be caused trauma or irritation. Therefore, avoid using earbuds and earphones for a while. Also, protect the tragus piercing from contact with any hair product. It will be beneficial to sleep on your other ear for at least a month. Thus, you can speed up the healing process.

Healing Time

The healing time of a tragus piercing is between 3 and 6 months. If you care about your aftercare routine, It is possible to have a healed piercing in 3 months. However, a tragus can take up to a year to heal in bad circumstances.

We basically know that cartilage piercings take longer to heal than earlobe piercings. Remember that a piercing is also a wound. You have to be very careful to minimize the recovery time. Any pressure will negatively affect the healing of your piercing. Therefore, you should avoid direct contact with tools such as phones, and headphones as much as possible. Also, make sure your tragus piercing doesn’t get caught in your hair or clothing.

The easiest way for a piercing to heal quickly is to leave it alone. Don’t try to remove or change your jewelry early. Of course, you also shouldn’t neglect cleaning. It is quite possible to speed up your healing period by following the aftercare instructions given by your piercer.

Which Jewelry Can I Choose For Tragus Piercings?

When it comes to tragus piercings, the most popular jewelry alternatives are studs. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t be creative. There are many types of studs in different shapes and sizes, from diamonds to teardrops. Besides that, hoops and barbells are also other stylish and modern jewelry options for your tragus.

Stud: This is a useful choice for your first tragus piercing. Because it provides a comfortable space for your piercing to heal. Also, a stud is less likely to get caught in your hair and clothes. You can prefer a labret that has a flat back. It is possible to try different jewelry alternatives after your piercing is fully healed. Studs offer you unlimited variations in different shapes and sizes.
Barbell: A circular barbell is a great jewelry option for a tragus piercing. It is a horseshoe-shaped bar that has two beads on both ends. A small size should be preferred to fit the inner ear.
Ring: Seamless rings are elegant, chic, and sophisticated tragus piercing jewelry. Since it is difficult to manage the healing period, they aren’t frequently preferred as first jewelry. Also, you may need your piercer to change it.

It is usually preferred 16 gauge jewelry for a tragus. But, it is possible to prefer different sizes. You can get an idea from your body modification artist before you decide.

Jewelry Materials For A Tragus Piercing

The material of the jewelry you choose is a point to take into consideration. Because inexpensive materials such as low-quality metals can have undesirable consequences such as irritation and allergies. We recommend you prefer safe materials for a positive tragus piercing experience. Here are a few safe and high-quality materials for jewelry:

Stainless Steel: This is a popular material for piercings. It is considered safe because it is also used as an implant. There are different color options. Also, this material is usually non-allergic. However, the fact that it contains nickel is a disadvantage. If you are sensitive to nickel, you can turn to other materials.
Titanium: It is one of the best jewelry materials for tragus piercings. Since it is an implant-grade metal, it is highly safe and hypoallergenic. Although it is a little more expensive than stainless steel, your ear is worth this cost.
Solid Gold: If you prefer gold for your tragus piercing jewelry, make sure it’s 14-karat solid gold. Don’t forget that gold-plated jewelry isn’t good enough in terms of quality. Gold is relatively expensive. However, its noble and elegant look deserves the money you give. Also, high-quality metals support healing and are perfect for piercing lovers who have sensitive skin.
Platinum: If you like the look of stainless steel but are allergic to nickel, platinum is ideal for you. It doesn’t contain nickel. In addition, this metal is safe and hypoallergenic. Platinum is a great material alternative for a tragus piercing.

FAQ About Tragus Piercing

How Can I Change My Tragus Piercing?

First of all, you should wait until your tragus is fully healed before changing or removing your first jewelry. Sometimes, your piercing may look healed from the outside. However, there is a possibility that the wound on the inside has not yet healed. Therefore, it is beneficial to consult your piercer about when you can change your jewelry.

If you are going to change your jewelry on your own, don’t forget to wash your hands before the procedure. Also, clean the tragus area with salt water or an aftercare spray to prevent possible infection. You can get help from your piercer to change jewelry such as seamless rings.

Can I Use Earbuds With A Tragus Piercing?

While your tragus piercing is healing, you shouldn’t put pressure on it. Therefore It is beneficial to wait a few months before using earbuds. Otherwise, you may be faced with the risk of infection and irritation. This can also delay the healing of your piercing. If you must use them, you can choose headphones, provided that you use them carefully.

Can Tragus Piercings Cure Migraine?

Some people claim that ear piercings relieve migraine headaches. Especially, it is believed that daith and tragus piercings have a positive effect on migraine since these piercings pass through the acupuncture points. However, there is no scientific study that proves this thesis. This may be a placebo effect. We don’t recommend having a piercing to treat migraine. But if you have decided to get a tragus, we hope it will be helpful for your headaches as well.

The Best Tragus Piercing Ideas

Tragus piercings are fashionable, flashy, and impressive. Gemstones, diamonds, and opals promise a glossy and attractive look. On the other hand, minimalist pieces of jewelry are essential accessories for those who do not compromise on simplicity. It is possible to reflect your style and personality by choosing among hundreds of jewelry alternatives. Because the tragus is a perfect way to make a statement. However, we know that making a decision is very difficult. Therefore, we have gathered the best and latest tragus piercing jewelry ideas to inspire you. You can wear the jewelry you like alone or combine it with other ear piercings. It’s entirely up to you.