If you’re looking to alter your look in a way other than coloring your hair, changing up your makeup, or going for a cosmetic treatment, then choosing a body piercing may be the way to do it. For those who are bolder and want to completely transform their face, a Tragus piercing is up your alley. However, if you’re looking for a subtle yet amazing way to elevate your appearance then the tragus piercing could be just the one for you. Lots of celebrities have all been seen sporting a tragus piercing. One of the best parts of this type of piercing is how customizable it is; you can opt for a simpler stud or more edgy earring for your tragus, according to your style.
Are you thinking of getting a tragus piercing? Have you recently gotten one and are looking for tips on how to care for your new Tragus piercing? We’ve got you covered! Welcome to Cleaning and Caring tips for your Tragus Piercing. We’ll take you through the basics of caring for your tragus piercing so that you can say bye to the pain and enjoy it with confidence. This article covers everything you need to know to keep your tragus piercing looking and feeling its best. Let’s get started!
What is a Tragus Piercing?
A tragus piercing is performed on the small area of cartilage that partially covers your ear canal. In terms of anatomy, the outer ear is made up of skin and cartilage. While the fleshy lobe remains the first choice among traditionalists looking to get pierced, areas of cartilage, like the tragus, may entice those interested in something slightly different, or in addition to, their already pierced lobe.
You may have also heard of a surface tragus piercing, which is performed in the same area as the tragus piercing, except rather than puncturing the cartilage, just the skin is pierced. However, because the jewellery lies beneath the skin, there may be a higher probability of the body rejecting it, deeming it a foreign object that needs to be pushed out.
How is Tragus Piercing done?
Usually, the area is disinfected or washed before piercing. This is because ear wax and other debris can be full of bacteria which may get into the piercing. Some piercers put a cork into the ear canal to keep any skin or debris from falling back into the ear. The piercing is usually done lying flat or on your side with a hollow surgical needle. It is normal to bleed a little after a surface tragus piercing for a few minutes up to some hours.
The piercing requires a bit of force because it goes through cartilage and it is normal to hear a slight “pop” when that happens. It is not a particularly painful piercing when done properly by using a good piercing needle. Some stores do tragus piercing to pierce the tragus with a piercing gun. The only way to correctly pierce a tragus is with a sterile needle.
How long does a Tragus Piercing take time to heal?
Most tragus piercings take around 2-3 months to heal. Everybody heals differently though and at different rates. It’s not out of the ordinary to see a little bit longer time to heal. Once you’ve gone past the 2-3 months and experienced 2-3 weeks without seeing any crust or discharge, and haven’t seen any redness or experienced any pain or soreness then your piercing is probably healed. If signs of infection persist, talk to your piercer or doctor to get their advice on the healing process. It’s also seen that some people heal faster than others. If you are prone to infections, then make sure that you keep your tragus piercing clean at all times and follow all aftercare instructions carefully.
How to Clean Your Tragus Piercing?
Cleaning your new tragus piercing is essential for avoiding infection and promoting healing. You should use a saline solution or a non-iodized sea salt solution twice a day to clean your tragus piercing. Soak the area for nine to ten minutes and gently pat it dry. You can also use a cotton swab or Q-tip to clean the area around the piercing.
What Products to Use for Cleaning and Aftercare?
When it comes to cleaning and caring for tragus piercing, you want to make sure that you are using the right products. A non-iodized sea salt solution will help quickly reduce redness, inflammation, and swelling while it also fights off infection. You can make your sea salt solution just make sure to dissolve the salt completely before applying it to your tragus piercing. You can do this by adding non-iodized sea salt to boiling water that has since cooled. Additionally, you can use a mild soap when showering!
How to take care of your new tragus piercing?
It’s important to take good care of your new tragus piercing. While your piercer will give you aftercare instructions, you can also look at this list of do’s and don’ts:
Do’s
- Clean the area with a saline solution 3- 4 times each day for 2 to 3 weeks, starting the day you get it. The easiest way to do this is by soaking a clean cotton ball in the saline solution and holding it against your tragus for 4 to 5 minutes per cleaning.
- Keep your hair pulled away from the area so it won’t sweep bacteria and hurt your piercing area.
- Wash your pillow covers and sheets more frequently than normal. Once again, bacteria could be living in them.
- Always properly wash your hands well before touching them.
Don’ts
- Don’t touch it or play with your jewellery. Your hands are covered in bacteria.
- Don’t use harsh products like hydrogen peroxide, alcohol, lotions, creams, or scented products.
- Don’t use ointments like Hibiclens, Bacitracin, or Neosporin, which can hinder healing by blocking oxygen to the wound.
- Don’t use headphones.
- Don’t sleep on your side.
- Don’t immerse the area in water. Showers are OK, but bathtime not to mention swimming — will have to wait for at least 3 weeks.
- Don’t rub the area with a towel or any abrasive fabrics.
- Don’t use lotions or creams — including suncream in the area.
When to Seek Professional Help?
If you experience any signs of infection or other complications including excessive swelling, redness, discharge, fever, and pain be sure to reach out to your healthcare professional or piercer. Additionally, if you feel like the tragus piercing is too tight or too loose, seek professional advice from a body piercer who can help you adjust the jewellery accordingly.
Side Effects of Piercing
1. Infection and scarring
There is a low blood supply to this area of the ear, which puts a tragus piercing at higher risk for infection or scarring. Getting the piercing done by a professional and practising proper aftercare will lower the chances of these side effects. If you experience any irritation or redness, it’s important to discuss with your dermatologist to find out the best solution for your specific needs.
2. Allergic reactions
may you get allergic reactions to the type of metal used for the earring. Common sensitivities include nickel, copper, and lower-quality gold. If you’re sensitive to any metals, discuss this with your piercer before committing to a piece of jewellery.
3. Hypertrophic scarring
While not quite a Keloid, hypertrophic scarring can be caused by large amounts of tissue forming over the pierced area. This type of scarring is mostly seen among cartilage piercings.
4. Blisters
If you’re experiencing any irritation or see a blister/bump, it could be from hypertrophic scarring, or it could be an infection/abscess fluid trapped under or behind the piercing. While not all bumps are serious, still it’s important to consult a doctor if you notice anything more than minor irritation in the area.
What Type of Jewellery Should You Wear After Tragus Piercing?
- Stud: Simple small studs are a good option for tragus piercings, which tend to be tiny. A ball stud, which has smooth edges that are less likely to snag on clothing and hair and clothing, is ideal for a new piercing. Once it heals, you can wear the stunning studs to charm your look.
- Barbell: A barbell is an earring with balls on both ends and a bar in the centre. Tragus barbells will be smaller than most. This is another amazing option for a brand-new piercing, as it’s easy to put in and keep clean.
- Hoops: Tiny hoops are another option for the tragus, although we suggest waiting until your piercing has healed before you try hoops with any unique textures and shapes.
Conclusion
A tragus piercing is an amazing way to express your style and make a statement. To ensure your piercing will heal easily and quickly, it is important to follow the proper steps for caring and cleaning for your tragus piercing. Following the caring tips in the article, your piercing will heal quickly and you can style it any way you’d like! Remember to consult a medical professional if you experience any signs of infection or other issues during the healing process!
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