
A Complete Guide on Cartilage Piercing
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The trend of piercing has come a long way. Cartilage piercing has always been popular among women. However, today even men are opting for this piercing. If you also want to get your cartilage pierced then continue reading this post.
Here, we will discuss everything including types of piercings, their bumps, concerns and care for such piercings. So, let us get started…
What Exactly is Cartilage Piercing?
It is the practice of getting a decorating hole in any cartilage filled parts of your body including the nose and ear. The connective tissues that exist in many parts of the body including the ear and nose provide strength and elasticity to the areas in which they are found in the body. Piercing is common and it essentially has to do with a fashion statement, or it could be for some cultural or religious significance.
Types of Cartilage Piercings
Here is a breakdown of the different types of piercings of Cartilage to help you explore your options. Take a look…
1. Helix Piercing

This kind of piercing is pretty common. It is done on the outer upper rim of the ear. You can choose to get a single piercing on the upper cartilage or multiple piercings along the upper curve.
2. Forward Helix Piercing

It is done on the front side of the ear (near where the helix meets the face). You can choose to get double or triple piercings.
Also See: 14 Cool Ear Piercing Ideas
3. Industrial Piercing

Two piercings connected by a straight barbell usually running diagonally across the upper ear are called industrial piercings and are popular men cartilage piercings.
4. Daith Piercing

It is done on the innermost fold of the ear just above the ear canal.
5. Tragus Piercing

The tragus piercing occurs on the small flap of cartilage in front of the ear canal. This kind of piercing is not advisable for people who wear hearing aids since the allure of this method interferes with the hearing aids performance.
6. Anti-Tragus Piercing

It is done just above the ear lobe (opposite the tragus).
7. Conch Piercing

Piercing of the inner shell of the ear also called conch. Aside from the inner shell you can also get your outer conch (the flat part of the outer ear) pierced.
8. Rook Piercing

Piercing on the fold of cartilage between the inner and outer ear is known as rook piercing.
9. Snug Piercing

It also known as anti helix piercing is also a very common type of piercing for men. The inner ridge of the ear running parallel to the outer rim is pierced in this kind of piercing.
10. Orbital Piercing

Two piercings close together connected by a single hoop are called orbital piercings. This type of piercing can be placed on the conch, lobe or helix.
In-Depth Understanding of Cartilage Piercing
Cost of Cartilage Piercing
Factors affecting the cost include the location of the studio, the reputation of the studio, the experience of the piercer, the quality of jewelry being pierced with and so on. On average it is expected to pay anywhere from $35 to $55.
Pain Level
They are one of the most painful types of piercings. These piercings can vary in pain levels. The pain level depends on the part of the ear you are getting piercing done such as the inner shell, conch or inner ridge.
Healing Time
It typically takes somewhere between 3 to 12 months for a piercing of cartilage to heal. Majorly the healing depends on the location of the piercing. Every location presents a distinct aesthetic and differs in recovery duration.
Impact of Cartilage Piercings
Like in any other piercing you need to be careful about it. Any piercing is a kind of wound that needs to be taken care of and it pains to touch. It also oozes white yellow fluid. Aside from that you may also notice some bruising, bleeding or redness around the newly pierced region of the body.
These are normal. However, with proper care these symptoms subside naturally as your piercing heals. All you have to make sure of is to get your piercing done by a reputable piercer. Ensure they maintain the highest standards of hygiene and safety and use clean tools to prevent any risk of infection. If you notice any symptoms for a longer duration then it is advised to visit a reputable healthcare provider for prompt intervention.
What is Cartilage Piercing Bump?
The bumps are the keloids that you may develop in the area where the piercing is placed. A keloid is a kind of raised scar tissue that appears like a bump around the pierced region. The bumps may occur due to infection.
Aside from that, inflammation, scarring, etc., can also cause piercing bumps. They are not harmful but they certainly are not good either. It is advised to keep the newly pierced region clean. In addition, applying a warm compress and chamomile compress can help treat keloids.
Things To Consider Before Getting Cartilage Piercing
Undoubtedly men can help them have a stylish look. But there are certain things that they need to keep in mind to have the best outcomes. Here are the things that you need to keep in mind when getting a piercing:
- Get it from a trained and experienced piercer: Getting your piercing from a professional piercer is important. They utilize sanitized tools to place the pierce. This ensures your safety and minimizes risks associated with piercing.
- Look for a state license or certification: Make sure the piercer or piercing parlor possesses all the necessary licenses and certifications. This ensures safety.
- Highest safety standards: Your piercer must maintain ca lean and hygienic environment. It is important to ensure that the piercer uses sterile tools to do your piercing, wear a pair of fresh disposable gloves for the new piercing and follow safety standards.
- Safe piercing methods: See whether or not your piercer uses safe piercing methods. Unsafe methods can be hazardous and lead to severe issues. If your piercer does not use safe methods it is wise to look for the one who uses the safest piercing methods and cares for your overall well being.
- It is very important to get high quality piercing jewelry: While you will have many choices when it comes to piercing jewelry but it must be made of a material that is not irritant to you and the best choices are gold and silver.
Cartilage Piercing Care
Like any other piercing it should also be kept clean at all times otherwise, it can cause health problems. Additionally, proper care of it helps heal the wound faster. Your piercer will provide you with a proper aftercare regime. Make sure to follow his guidance religiously to have your piercing healed as properly as possible.
Here are some things that you can do to keep your piercing clean:
- Wash your hands before applying any solution or ointment: Cleaning your piercing is an important step. Hence, you must clean your hands first before you start cleaning your piercing.
- Clean the pierced area with antibacterial cleansing saline solution: The saline solution properly flushes out your piercing. In addition, it removes any discharge and helps to keep the wound clean. There are numerous over the counter antibacterial cleansing saline solutions available out there. You may buy a good quality solution or ask your piercer for the best one.
- Use paper towel: Use only paper towels or tissues to dry the area. Avoid using cloth to dry the area as it may cause infection because of the germs present in the cloth.
- Use only chemical free and fragrance free solutions: Make sure to buy these saline solutions as chemicals can lead to severe concerns.
- Buy quality jewelry: Buy expensive piercing jewelry and clean it thoroughly before wearing it.
Avoid touching your wound: The most important thing is to keep your hands away from the wound to minimize the risk of infection. - Avoid water sports and long baths: Steer clear of any kind of water sport including swimming. Long baths should also be avoided. This includes tub baths, pools, hot tubs, etc. This will help make sure that your chances of developing an infection are less.
- Avoid sleeping on your cartilage piercing: Sleeping on it will disrupt the healing process. Hence, you must avoid lying or sleeping on your piercing. Also, it is important to use clean bedcovers and pillow covers for sleeping to prevent infection.
Cartilage Piercing Jewellery
The selection is determined by the type of cartilage piercing. Generally, once your piercing is healing labret earrings will be considered the best route. Try to avoid changing and changing your jewelry until your wound has completely healed and once it is recovered feel free to wear whatever earrings your heart desires.
There are limitless jewelry options available for cartilage piercing. However, the best ones are as follows:
- Hoops, studs or flat back earrings are considered best for helix piercing.
- Long, straight barbells or decorative bars are considered best for industrial piercing.
- Most men prefer small hoops, clickers and captive bead rings for daith piercing and tragus piercing.
- Studs or small hoops are ideal for anti tragus piercing.
- Studs or larger hoops that wrap around the edge of the ear looks amazing with conch piercing.
- Small curved barbells or hoops are good for rook piercing.
- You can consider opting for curved barbells or small hoops for your snug piercing.
- Hoops or rings are great options for orbital piercing.
Putting it all together…
So, this is all about cartilage piercing. We hope you find this guide useful in selecting the correct kind of piercing. Body piercing enhances beauty. It is the job of a professional piercer to give you the best experience while minimizing any risks of getting an infection or any other complication.
Thanks for reading!
Happy Piercing…