What Does The Tragus Piercing Mean

The tragus of the ear is the thick piece of flesh that covers the opening of the ear, protecting and covering the tube that leads into the internal organs of the ear like the eardrum.

Like most piercings, a tragus piercings is painful to get. But how painful is it, exactly? And how long does the pain last? Read on for a look at what you can expect from a tragus piercing when it comes to pain.

The tragus of the ear is made up of a thin layer of flexible cartilage. This means there isn’t as much thick tissue filled with nerves that cause pain as other areas of the ear. The fewer the nerves, the less pain you typically feel.

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But cartilage is harder to pierce than regular flesh, so a piercer will likely need to apply more pressure to get the needle through, which can cause some added pain, especially if your piercer isn’t experienced.

And as with any piercing, the amount of pain varies from person to person. But for most people, the piercing will typically sting the most right when the needle goes in. This is because the needle is piercing through the top layer of skin and nerves.

The pain associated with getting a tragus piercing tends to be short lived and may resolve on its own in a matter of minutes after the procedure.

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Keep in mind: This price range doesn’t include the cost of aftercare supplies or a tip for your piercer. Jewelry prices can also vary widely, which could drive the cost up considerably.

While pain related to the piercing procedure tends to only last for a few minutes or hours, you may have some lingering soreness as it heals. After all, new piercings are essentially open wounds.

As it heals, avoid putting any pressure on the area to minimize pain and discomfort. This might mean doing your best to only sleep on one side, holding the phone to the opposite ear, and avoiding tight hats for a few months.

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Tragus piercings typically heal in 3 to 6 months, but the whole process can take up to a year in some cases.

Again, some pain is common after a piercing. But you’ll want to see if a healthcare professional if the pain doesn’t let up at all after a few days or seems to get worse over time.

Tragus piercings tend to hurt more than earlobe piercings because of the added pressure that’s applied to get the needle through your ear’s cartilage.

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But this pain typically resolves in a matter of minutes. It’s not unusual to have a bit of soreness as it heals, especially if you put pressure on the area, but most people find that it’s a pretty tolerable level of pain.

That said, if you notice throbbing pain or the soreness starts to feel unbearable, contact a healthcare professional as soon as possible, as these could be signs of an underlying issue, like an infection or piercing rejection.

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Tragus Piercing Guide: Benefits, Pain, Aftercare & More

Karen L. Hudson is a tattoo artist and contributing writer for . She has been an amateur artist as a hobby since grade school, and served a 12 month tattoo apprenticeship in a tattoo studio.

Amy Lawrenson was the Editorial Director for UK and has worked as a freelance beauty and health journalist for over 13 years.

How to Change Out a Tragus Piercing What Type of Jewelry Is Used for Tragus Piercing? What Jewelry Material Is Used for Tragus Piercing? Frequently Asked Questions

Unique Tragus Piercing Jewelry Ideas For 2023

If you're looking for a new accessory, you may want to consider an ear piercing (or two). The curated ear has been trending among cool-girls and celebrities alike, and for good reason. Whether you're shopping for something subtle or edgy, there are plenty of options to choose from.

One of our favorites is the tragus piercing, which In terms of history, [is] quite new, probably first seen around the 1980s, says piercing expert Jasmine Lewis. Still, the tragus continues to be a popular choice as far as ear piercings go. Celebrities from Zoë Kravitz to Rihanna to Scarlett Johansson have all been seen sporting an adorned tragus. Keep scrolling to find out more about getting a tragus piercing, including the pain level, healing time, and cost.

Aftercare: Clean twice a day with a sterile, saline-based solution. Avoid putting pressure on the area by not sleeping on the side with the earring until it heals.

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A tragus piercing sits on the small area of cartilage that partially covers your ear canal. In terms of anatomy, the outer ear is made up of cartilage and skin. While the fleshy lobe remains the preferred 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. According to Lewis, As piercers, we’re looking for a small flat area that will support being pierced. Provided your ear is suitable, [tragus piercings] look great on pretty much everyone.

You may have also heard of a surface tragus piercing, which is placed in the same area as the tragus piercing, except rather than puncturing the cartilage, just the skin is pierced. However, because the jewelry 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.

Sure, pain is relative—to a point. Generally speaking, how much does a tragus piercing hurt? Lewis says, Most cartilage piercings to me feel like pressure rather than pain. For example, I’ve had both a tragus and helix piercing done, and I wouldn’t say one was more painful than the other. Although, people are sensitive in different areas, so the amount of pain you would feel will vary depending on the person. No pain, no gain, right?

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While any ear cartilagepiercingis tricky to heal, the tragus, in particular, gets in the way when talking on the phone, listening to earphones/earbuds, or using a Bluetooth earpiece. Germs are likely to be on those ear devices and can stunt your piercing's healing time. It's advisable to avoid anything from coming into direct contact with your tragus for at least a few weeks after getting pierced. A lot of things will factor into the healing time of a piercing, but generally, we would say anywhere between six to 12 months, says Lewis.

The price of a tragus piercing will depend on where you're getting it done, less for reasons that have to do with the act of piercing than for the piece of jewelry. The cost of tragus piercings typically falls within a range of $30 to $40. Lewis elaborates, Most inner ear cartilage piercings are roughly the same price. Jewelry choices vary, the only limitation being: How many diamonds?

When considering getting any type of piercing, proper aftercare is paramount. After all, you don't want the excitement of your new earring to be overshadowed by said earring contracting an infection. In order to avoid such a scenario, Lewis recommends, cleaning your piercing twice a day with a sterile saline solution for the first two to three months. Avoid touching or moving the piercing—any excessive trauma or pressure will prolong the healing process. To put it simply, leave the piercing alone unless you’re cleaning it!

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Dr. Howard Sobel, founder of Sobel Skin and attending dermatologist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York, says to avoid soap, shampoo or any disinfectants for the first day. He also suggests applying polysporin to the area. I would even consider not using earphones/earbuds for the first four to eight weeks after the piercing, he says.

Lewis adds, Applying any pressure onto the piercing while it’s healing will prolong the healing process. We would recommend not sleeping on it for the first couple of months. Travel pillows can come in handy to prevent pressure.

Since the tragus piercing might swell more than other ear piercings, a ring would be much more challenging to heal, as it may not accommodate room for swelling. Instead, opt for a bar as your initial ear jewelry.

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Avoid removing the piercing until it's completely healed. Before changing your tragus piercing (or any piercing, for that matter) be sure to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water, and to clean the area regularly