2C.1 Facial Piercings: Ear Cartilage
Description
This article is from the Piercing FAQ, by Anne Greenblatt with numerous contributions by others.
2C.1 Facial Piercings: Ear Cartilage
3 to 6 months
Helix (upper ear) piercings are often performed with a piercing gun.
Cartilage piercings performed with piercing guns are often
problematic. Often the piercing is not perpendicular to the tissue
because the piercing gun will not fit around the curl of the upper
ear. Body jewelry is easier to clean and more comfortable than ear
piercing studs.
Cartilage piercings involve several layers of different types of
tissue which heal at different rates and by different processes. The
action of piercing often separates the skin layer from the cartilage
layer at the exit point; the jewelry should be rotated towards the
exit after the piercing is complete and after cleaning to push the
layers back together.
Some cartilage piercings, particularly those through very dense
cartilage, often swell during healing.
Some piercers perform cartilage piercings using a needle one size
larger than the that of the jewelry to be worn (e.g. 18 gauge jewelry,
16 gauge needle) to allow room for new tissue to form around the
inside of the piercing, but this is not necessary.
Cartilage piercings have a greater tendency than other piercings to
scar because of the nature of the tissue involved. The piercing should
be as perpendicular to the tissue as possible to reduce stress on the
tissue. A ring which is too small in diameter will often cause the
piercing to migrate or scar. Prolonged healing, scarring and migration
often result if the wearer sleeps on his/her ears.
Cartilage piercings often resist stretching quickly. Stretching a
reluctant piercing often results in scarring.
The specific ear cartilage piercings include:
CONCH Piercings made through the bowl shape of the ear. Conch
piercings can be described as either "lower" or "upper" with regards
to the Crus helicis (see DAITH). Initial jewelry: Captive bead rings
in 16 to 10 gauge. The ring should not tightly hug the edge of the
ear. Barbells in 16 to 10 gauge and 5/16" to 3/8" in length; the
barbell should be 1/16" to 1/8" longer than the width of the
piercing. A barbell is more comfortable if the wearer sleeps on
his/her ears.
DAITH A piercing made through the softer cartilage behind the hard
edge of the Crus helicis, the inner-most ridge just above the ear
canal. Because of its interior location this piercing can be slept on
comfortably. Initial jewelry: Captive bead rings in 18 to 14 gauge and
3/8" to 1/2" in diameter.
HELIX Piercings made through or around the upper edge of the ear. If
the curl is large and pronounced, a piercing made through the apex of
the curl and parallel to the side of the head may be more
comfortable. Initial jewelry: Captive bead rings in 18 to 12 gauge and
5/16" to 7/16" in diameter. The ring should not hug the edge of the
ear.
TRAGUS The triangular prominence of cartilage in front of the ear
canal. Initial jewelry: Captive bead rings in 18 to 14 gauge and
5/16" to 3/8" in diameter; the diameter should be approximately 1/8"
wider than the piercing.
ANTI-TRAGUS A piercing is made through the prominence of cartilage
opposite of the tragus. Initial jewelry: Captive bead rings in 18 to
14 gauge and 3/8" to 7/16" in diameter; the diameter should be
approximately 1/8" wider than the piercing. Barbells in 16 to 10 gauge
and 5/16" to 3/8" in length; the barbell should be at least 1/16"
longer than the width of the piercing. A barbell is more comfortable
if the wearer sleeps on his/her ears.
INDUSTRIAL Refers to two or more piercings through which a single
barbell is worn. An Industrial can involve piercings of the helix,
tragus, earlobe, Conch, or Rook. Piercings should be placed as
perpendicular to the tissue as possible to avoid stress that can cause
scarring and migration. In some cases a curved barbell may be more
comfortable than a straight barbell. The piercings should be healed
wearing two separate pieces of jewelry if a single piece of jewelry
will put too much stress on the piercings.
ORBIT / ORBITAL Refers to two piercings through which a single ring is
worn. Common orbital combinations include Conch/Lobe, Lobe/Lobe,
Conch/Conch. Piercings should be placed as perpendicular to the tissue
as possible to avoid stress that can cause scarring and migration. The
piercings should be healed wearing two separate pieces of jewelry if a
single piece of jewelry will put too much stress on the piercings.
ROOK / ANTI-HELIX A piercing made through the antihelicis, the ridge
of cartilage above the Crus helicis. Initial jewelry: Captive bead
rings in 18 to 16 gauge and 1/4" to 3/8" in diameter; the diameter
should be approximately 1/8" wider than the piercing. Curved barbells
in 18 to 16 gauge and 5/16" to 3/8" in length; the barbell should be
at least 1/16" longer than the width of the piercing. A curved barbell
is more comfortable if the wearer sleeps on his/her ears.
SNUG A horizontal piercing of the antihelix. This piercing is very
anatomy dependant and is often difficult to heal, especially if the
wearer sleeps on his/her ears. Straight and curved barbells are
usually chosen as the most comfortable and unobtrusive style of
jewelry. The barbell should be 1/8" longer than the width of the
piercing.
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