A Guide to Different Kinds of Ear Piercings – Part I

Ear piercings are pretty small. But they pack a big punch in terms of aesthetics. And with so many different kinds to choose from, it is easy to make them a true statement of personal style. Because of their minute nature, it can be easy to think you could just get them done at a beauty salon. However, you are likely to have a much better, and safer, result coming to a professional body piercer – such as the incredibly talented crew at Vivid Ink. 

Few people today settle for a standard pair of lobe piercings, although they most certainly provide options for impressive decoration – or work as preparation for ear lobe stretching. If you are considering going beyond-lobe we are here to help you with some of the various styles you have to pick from to create your very own ear constellations. 

Helix piercings

For a lot of people, the next step after getting one or two lobe piercings done would be to move up along the ear and do what is known as Helix piercings.

These go through the cartilage that sits around the actual ear and can be done as a single piercing higher up, or as a row, often with rings, running along and around the ridge of the ear. There are also forward Helix piercings, which go through the cartilage at the upper cartilage at the front of the ear. 

Tragus piercings

Meanwhile, a Tragus piercing sits through the thick cartilage right in front of the ear canal towards the face. The thick cartilage does not carry a ton of nerve endings and is thus a lot less painful than one would perhaps imagine. However, because of it being only cartilage, there are also fewer white blood cells to help ward off potential infections.

It is, therefore, more important than ever that you look after your new Tragus piercing properly according to the instructions of your piercer. With anti-tragus, the piercing is done on the fold of the cartilage at the top of the earlobe. 

Daith piercings

Daith piercings have become increasingly popular over the past few years. They go through the inner ridge of the cartilage, closest to the ear canal. As far as pain goes, it is generally considered a five out of ten. A good idea is to come back to the piercing studio when it is time to change your first jewellery, and the piercer can then show you how best to do it yourself in the future.

As with all piercings, it is important to keep the area clean, never to touch it unless you have just washed your hands, avoid make-up and hairspray close to it while it is healing, not rub clothes against it, and make sure your pillowcase is clean and changed often.