10. Tragus
Tragus is the small, thick, oval protruding cartilage just outside the ear canal. The thickness of the tragus varies from person to person and thus piercing thick cartilages can cause immense pain and bleeding. Some may also have a very small tragus and thus cannot have this kind of piercing. Tragus piercing involves small gauge piercing needles and can take some time. Healing takes about 8-16 weeks, though it can be year before the wound is completely healed. Chances of tearing or stretching are low in tragus piercing. Captive bead rings, earring studs and thin circular wire rings are usually used as ornaments in tragus piercing. Some people hear a loud popping noise during the piercing but this occurs only because the tragus is very close to the ear drum. It is not advisable to use earphones before complete healing as it can cause irritability.
Post Merge: April 19, 2014, 02:54:08 PM
9. Anti-Tragus
As the name says, anti-tragus is the inner ear cartilage opposite to the tragus. It is the raised fold of cartilage right outside the ear. Similar to tragus piercings, some people cannot opt for anti-tragus piercing due to having a small anti-tragus. It looks unique, stylish and is quite eye-catching but requires a lot of care and professional assistance as insertion and removal of jewellery involves some pain. Generally, adventurous people with a genuine love for ear piercings opt for anti-tragus piercing as it is painful, uncomfortable and has a high risk of infection. Like the tragus piercing it takes 8-6 weeks to heal and a year for complete healing. Curved balls, ball closure rings or circular barbells are popular choices for jewellery in this type of ear piercing.
Post Merge: April 19, 2014, 02:54:52 PM
8. Rook
Rook piercing is one of the most painful and cumbersome ear-piercings requiring a lot of tissues and should only be attempted by a professional. Rook is the folding cartilage separating the inner and outer conch. First introduced by well known professional piercer Erik Dakota, rook piercing is highly dependent on the look and structure of the ear and thus it gives a unique look to every individual. Rook piercing is very painful as the cartilage is not easily accessible besides being very small and thick. It takes about six months to heal and about a year and a half for complete healing. Any type of modified jewellery can be worn in this type of piercing with captive bead ring and curved barbells being the most common. Professional assistance is required for insertion and removal of jewellery as it is quite vulnerable to tearing. Rook piercing is very popular among youngsters due to its ability to give a super cool individualistic look.
7. Scaffold
Scaffold piercing is also known as the bar, industrial or construction piercing. It is more attractive and different than other types of piercing and consists of connecting two pierces on the cartilage by a single piece of jewellery. Two punches are made on the helix, which are then connected by a long piece of jewellery with metal balls on the end, so as to prevent the ornament from slipping out. It is an out of the box ear piercing and is currently in vogue with the youngsters. It gives a very trendy and cool look and is also less prone to infections and wounds. It can take three to twelve months for healing. Two or more scaffold piercings on the same ear are referred to as a cage.
Post Merge: April 19, 2014, 02:55:22 PM
6. Daith
First introduced by professional piercer Erik Dakota, ‘Daith’ means intelligence or wisdom in Hebrew. Pronounced as ‘Doth’, daith piercing is done on the ear’s innermost cartilage fold also known as the crus of the helix. Daith is the bridge of the earlobe just above the ear canal. The cartilage is hard besides being difficult to access but the piercing looks cool and trendy with thin wired jewellery. The inner ear cartilage is usually perforated by a curved needle having small receiver tubes at the opposite ends, so as to protect other ear parts from damage. Daith piercings usually take 8-16 weeks to heal but complete healing may take a year, just like all other risky piercings. Curved barbells, ball closure rings, captive bead rings, hearts and moon earrings are commonly worn in this kind of piercing.
Post Merge: April 19, 2014, 02:56:24 PM
5. Earlobe Gauging
Earlobe gauging is an extension of lobe piercing and has become a new trend in ear piercing. It channels a Goth vibe and looks fashionable. The lobe piercing is stretched by wearing bigger and bigger pieces of jewellery till you reach your desired size. After that you are left with a hollow ring in your earlobe that can be adorned by gems with larger diameters, plugs and eyelets. Gauging is possible only in the earlobe as it is more flexible and elastic. However one must take care to stretch the piercing gradually as too much stretching of tissues within a short period of time can lead to infections, tearing and bleeding. Also the earlobe hole cannot be reverted to its normal size easily and involves a lot of complications.
Post Merge: April 19, 2014, 02:56:50 PM
4. Conch
Conch piercing has been one of the most popular ear piercings of the 21st century as it gives a fashionable side view of one’s face and is thus the perfect accessory for all those profile snapshots for FB. It gives a stylish and sporty look when embellished with barbells and small gem earrings. Conch piercing is done by perforating the cartilage at the centre of the ear which resembles a conch shell. Conch piercings can be of two types-inner conch and outer conch and a hollow, hypodermic needle is used for the piercing. Inner conch piercing may lead to slight differences in hearing but the change is minimal and mostly undetectable. It takes about 8-16 weeks to heal completely. Conch piercing requires professional expertise as infection can develop between the multiple layers of pierced cartilage and eat away parts of the cartilage.
Post Merge: April 19, 2014, 02:57:25 PM
3. Helix
Extremely popular in the West, helix piercing is one of the trendiest and coolest piercings one can sport. Helix piercing involves perforation of the upper ear cartilage known as helix by a small gauge hollow piercing needle. Helix piercing is really addictive and most people go back for multiple piercings which allow them to have attractive bling patterns consisting of two ball earrings, studs, gem closed rings and metal rings. It should be performed by a professional as it involves a substantial amount of pain, bleeding, swelling and risk of infection. It takes six to eight months on an average to heal.
Post Merge: April 19, 2014, 02:57:57 PM
2. Snug
Snug piercing is also known as the anti-helix piercing performed on the anti-helix of the vertical cartilage fold inside the ear rim. The anti-helix is adjacent to the helix and the piercings appear comparatively shallow to other types. It is more painful than other ear piercings and should be performed by a professional with much care and attention. Same jewels can be used in both the helix as well as the anti-helix to sport a cool look. Curved ball bearings and small hoops are commonly used to adorn snug piercings. Removal and insertion of jewellery can be uncomfortable but notwithstanding the disadvantages it has its fair share of fans all over the world. They are especially popular among rock band members.
1. Lobe
Lobe piercing has been in fashion over the centuries and is perhaps the most natural and accepted form of ear piercing. A simple hole is pierced through the ear lobe by an ear gun or a needle. It involves minimal risk of infection and almost no blood or swelling. It is considered very safe as the earlobe is very elastic and contains no cartilage. Also there are less nerve endings in the ear lobe making lobe piercing almost painless. This traditional piercing looks very decent and a variety of beautiful jewellery can be used to adorn lobe piercings.
By: Rajasee Chatterjee
